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 AmazonAudible

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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

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).TwitterFacebookGoodreadsInstagramPinterest

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 AmazonAudible

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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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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).

TwitterFacebookGoodreadsInstagramPinterest

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 Book Review: One Night With a Witch by Zoe Forward

Title: One Night With A Witch(Keepers of the Veil #5)

Author: Zoe Forward

Genre: Paranormal Romance

Release Date: May 6, 2019

Cover Designer: Quincy Marin

Hosted by:Buoni Amici Press, LLC.

Buy links:

Amazon: https://amzn.to/2IWFnnw

iBooks: https://apple.co/2GUdmJP

Nook: http://bit.ly/2LhnmlJ

Kobo: http://bit.ly/2Vbpxfa

Universal link: http://bit.ly/2IU5QSp

Book Description:

The last thing MI6 agent Eli Morgan expected was Pleiades witch Avery Donovan showing up to “rescue” him. Turns out she’s his biggest threat when an unexpected love spell hits them. Now he can’t keep his hands off the woman he vowed never to touch.

But something evil fights to posses Eli’s soul. The only one who can truly save him is his soulmate. Can’t be Avery. What they feel is spell-induced. Or is it?

Goodreads book link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/44437484-one-night-with-a-witch

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My Book Review:

RATING: 4 out of 5 Stars

ONE NIGHT WITH A WITCH (Keepers of the Veil Book 5) by Zoe Forward is a new paranormal romance novella in the Keepers of the Veil series. This is a fast, entertaining read to finally bring two soulmates together. This novella can be read as a standalone, but I feel it is better read in order with the other books in this series due to the character crossover and the author’s world-building.

Avery Donovan is one of the seven Pleiades. She can see and speak to ghosts. Avery has loved Eli her entire life, but due to a tarot reading, she believes he is the soulmate destined for her sister. For years they have been there for each other since the death of her parents and sister as they fight their mutual attraction. Avery has been told that Eli is in trouble in Paris and she has to be there to save him.

Eli Morgan is an MI6 agent and a druid protector of the Pleiades. While on a mission in Paris, Eli is shocked when Avery shows up and says she is there to save him. Believing that a love spell has been cast, Eli finally gives in and he and Avery come together physically for the first time.

When he sends Avery away to safety, an evil spirit enters Eli’s body and fights to posse his soul. Now the only one who can save him and stop his destruction is his true soulmate. Was it a spell that brought them together for only one night, or is Avery truly the only one for him to save his soul?

This was the first Keepers of the Veil book that I have read. I will definitely be going back to read them from the beginning. Even without all of the world-building leading up to this novella, I could figure out what was happening and not be lost, but I had questions. I would also like to read more of Avery and Eli’s interactions prior to this story. This is a fast read that kept me turning the pages to find out if and how Eli would be saved. The sex is explicit but not drawn out or gratuitous. This is an exciting witchy world that is definitely worth the read.

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About Zoe:

Award winning author Zoe Forward is a hopeless romantic who can’t decide between paranormal and contemporary romance. So, she writes both. Her novels have won numerous awards including the Prism, Readers’ Choice Heart of Excellence, Golden Quill, Carolyn Readers Choice Award, and the Booksellers’ Best Award.

When she’s not typing at her laptop, she’s cheering her son on at baseball, chasing the toddler or cleaning up the newest pet mess from the menagerie that occupies her house. She’s a small animal veterinarian caring for a wide range of furry creatures, although there has been the occasional hermit crab.

She’s madly in love with her globe trotting conservation ecologist husband who plans to save all the big cats on the planet, and she’s happiest when he returns to their home base.

Social media links:

Website: http://www.zoeforward.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorzoe.forward/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/AuthorZForward

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6591244.Zoe_Forward

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/zoe-forward

Book Review: His Magic Touch by Debby Grahl

RATING: 3.5 out of 5 Stars

HIS MAGIC TOUCH by Debby Grahl is a contemporary paranormal romance featuring witches and ghosts set in NOLA. Ms. Grahl’s world-building effortlessly pulls you into the conflict between good and evil and the generational curse which is the suspense element of the story. The lore and setting of New Orleans adds to the story’s impact.

Jared Dupre is a powerful witch. He met his soulmate, Kendra O’Connel several years ago at a coven meeting.

Now, on the eve of their wedding, Jared discovers his brother has been kidnapped by Adam Montief, a powerful dark witch. If Jared does not follow, Adam has sworn to kill his brother and threatens to kill Kendra as well. Jared refuses to tell Kendra where he is so that she remains safe in New Orleans. Adam believes he is The Chosen One and has to kill Jared to settle a centuries old family vendetta.

A swordfight between the two sends Adam wounded and over the side of a cliff and leaves Jared severely wounded. As Jared heals in Connecticut, Kendra believes he has left her for another woman.

When Jared returns to New Orleans, he finds that Kendra does not want to hear the truth of what happened and Adam is alive and dating Kendra. Jared must now find a way to protect and win back Kendra as he investigates the reason for the vendetta between the Montief’s and the Dupre’s which will only end with the death of one of heirs.

I absolutely loved the setting and world-building in this book. The witches and ghosts of NOLA interacting with the human population was believable and interesting. The twisting suspense plot in the past and present kept me turning the pages. I did have a problem with the romance subplot. Kendra’s reactions on her own and with her two best friends, I felt were very immature. I dislike when a lack of communication or misunderstandings are the main reasons for a couple not being together for a large portion of the book especially when they are supposedly soulmates.

I really enjoyed the suspense and world-building in this book, but not the romance. I would read more books in this witchy world hoping for a more mature relationship in the next book.

Book Review: Drawing Bloodlines by Deborah Garland

RATING: 4 out of 5 Stars

DRAWING BLOODLINES (The Princeton Allegiant #1) by Deborah Garland is the first book in a new paranormal vampire romance series. The vampires are a bit different from the norm and this leads to new world-building opportunities for this author.

Dr. Alexander Manning is a doctor, a professor and a vampire. He is a valued member of the Princeton Allegiant due to his ability to supply blood to the group. Alex was turned over one hundred years ago and is still learning how to use the “special” gifts he received from his sire, Loren. No one knows about his extraordinary talents and he prefers to keep it that way.

Elizabeth Lockspier is a teacher and is adjusting to her life as a divorced mother of one. While having her blood drawn at a doctor’s visit by one of the most beautiful men she has ever seen, she becomes lightheaded as he takes too much and faints when she finds him drinking from one of the vials.

Alex could not help himself. He finds Elizabeth’s scent and blood intoxicating. The problem is that no human can know of a vampire’s existence and if they do they must be reported to the head of the Allegiant. Alex breaks into Elizabeth’s house to wipe her memory rather than report her, but finds she is as drawn to him as he is to her even though he is a vampire.

As Alex and Elizabeth grow closer, Alex’s past threatens to pull them apart forever. He must decide to obediently go into a forced marriage with a vampire he hates or attempt to change his immortal future with a secret science experiment of a colleague.

I was drawn into this new paranormal vampire world with all of the twists in the world-building and action. This is a complete story, but the author introduces enough secondary characters and questions to carry the series forward. The sex scenes are explicit, but not gratuitous. (Personally, I would not be interested in those cold interactions.) If you are looking for a new twist on vampire paranormal romance this is the book and series for you.

Written for and posted first on The Romance Reviews.

Book Review: Captivated by a Gargoyle by Lisa Carlisle

RATING: 4 out of 5 Stars

CAPTIVATED BY THE GARGOYLE (Boston Stone Sentries Book #3) by Lisa Carlisle is the next in a series of paranormal romances following Larissa and Roman. Although this is the third book, I believe you receive enough backstory and can pick-up the storyline and romance quickly enough to read this as a standalone.

Larissa Riley is still on suspension from the Boston P.D. at the start of this book. She discovered that she is a witch and she is the best hope to save her friend from an incubus demon king. She has not been trained and her belief in her power is spotty, but Roman believes in her and her power.

Roman is a gargoyle shifter and Commander of the Boston Stone Sentries. He knows Larissa is a powerful witch, even though she still has doubts and he knows she is his life-mate. When Larissa’s best- friend, Janie is kidnapped by the demon, Roman will follow Larissa through the portal into the demon realm to save her.

I enjoyed this addition to the series. Roman and Larissa are put through their paces in this action packed plot and their romance gets back on track. The sex scenes are explicit, but not gratuitous. I enjoyed how Larissa matured and grew into her powers and emotions in this finale. I also enjoyed the other gargoyle sentries becoming more three dimensional and integrated into the plot as characters and not just placeholders. This novella wraps up Roman and Larissa’s story well and hopefully Ms. Carlisle will follow more of the gargoyle shifters into the future.