THE DEVIL'S WORK by Demelza Carlton

Title:  THE DEVIL'S WORK

Series:  Mel Goes to Hell #1

Author:  Demelza Carlton

Publisher:  Lost Plot Press

Publish Date:   01.22.2019

Category /Genre:  Paranormal Fantasy, Comedy

Recommended for:  18+ due to sexual content

Grammar/editing:  book received as an unedited ARC / errors excused

Received from:  Demelza Carlton (as an ARC gifted copy)

Goodreads link: The Devil’s Work

Date completed: 01.26.2019

Description from the publisher:

Tired of torturing damned souls, Lucifer decides it's time for a career change. As the new CEO of the HELL Corporation, Luce Iblis is ready to take over the world, starting with a city he's sure even angels haven't heard about: Perth, Western Australia. 

Until an angel appears in his office, vowing that the Lord of Hell will never win.

Hell hath no fury like a devil scorned.

And Lucifer's about to raise Hell.

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THE DEVIL’S WORK is the first book in the Mel Goes to Hell series.  Here’s the thing, though, it’s actually the fifth release, but it’s the new number one and the author is updating and re-releasing the other titles soon.

I’d already read the first and second books (now the 1.5 and two? See below for my scorecard), so for me this was a prequel.  It was interesting to find out the machinations behind the creating of HELL Corporation. 

I had a bit of a pause determining the “genre” to write down for this book since there is no real romance to speak of – Lucifer doesn’t exactly do hearts and flowers, just secretaries.  It is pure comedy… errr, not so pure, if you know what I mean.  It is intellectually fun and flirty as the devil pits his arrogance against all of mankind. 

I loved it.  It was entertaining, not overly theological, fun, and funny.  Not an easy line to walk when tackling this type of subject, but Demelza Carlton does it!  She makes the devil a character you know (your boss, maybe?)

I’m looking forward to reading the re-releases and continuing the series.  Join me in HELL.

Note:  While I received this book as a gifted ARC, my opinions are my own and are given freely.

Mel Goes to Hell series:

1.      The Devil’s Work

Welcome to Hell

2.      See You in Hell

3.      Mel Goes to Hell

4.      To Hell and Back

5.      The Holiday from Hell

6.      All Hell Breaks Loose

Also from Demelza Carlton:

Complex Series:

1.      Halcyon

2.      Fishtail

Mel Goes to Hell Series:

Nightmares Trilogy:

1.      Nightmares of Caitlin Lockyer

2.      Necessary Evil of Nathan Miller

3.      Afterlife of Alanna Miller

Ocean’s Gift Series:

1.      Ocean’s Gift

2.      Ocean’s Infiltrator

3.      Water and Fire

Romance a Medieval Fairytale series:

1.      Enchant  (Beauty and the Beast Retold)

2.      Dance  (Cinderella Retold)

3.      Fly  (Goose Girl Retold)

4.      Revel (Twelve Dancing Princesses Retold)

5.      Silence (Little Mermaid Retold)

6.      Awaken  (Sleeping Beauty Retold)

7.      Embellish  (Brave Little Tailor Retold)

8.      Appease  (Princess and the Pea Retold)

9.      Blow  (Three Little Pigs Retold)

9.5 Cobble (Elves & the Shoemaker Retold)

Fall (Scheherazade Retold)

10.  Wish  (Aladdin Retold)

11.  Return (Hansel & Gretel Retold)

11.5 Roar (Goldilocks Retold)

12.  Melt (Snow Queen Retold)

13.  Spin (Rumpelstiltskin Retold)

14.  Kiss (Frog Prince Retold)

15.  Reflect (Snow White Retold)

16.  Hunt (Red Riding Hood Retold)

Romance Island Resort Series:

1.      Maid for the Rock Star

2.      The Rock Star’s Email Order Bride

3.      The Rock Star’s Virginity

4.      The Rock Star and the Billionaire

5.      The Rock Star Wants A Wife

6.      The Rock Star's Wedding

7.      Maid for the South Pole

Turbulence and Triumph Series:

1.      Ocean's Justice

2.      Ocean's Trial
How to Catch Crabs

3.      Ocean's Triumph

4.      Ocean's Ride

5.      Ocean's Cage

6.      Ocean's Birth

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ASHES by R.K. Close

Title:  ASHES

Series:  Burning Moon #0

Author:  R.K. Close

Publisher:  R.K. Close Books

Publish Date:   08.21.2018

Category /Genre:  Paranormal Romance

Recommended for:  18+ due to sexual content

Grammar/editing:  book received as an unedited ARC / errors excused

Received from:  R.K. Close (as a gifted copy)

Goodreads link: Ashes

Date completed: 01.10.2019

Description from the publisher:

Monsters aren't real...are they?

What if they are?

In Summerset, Kentucky, the McKenzie brothers are well known for their hard work, good looks, and fun-loving nature.  Before they disappear.

Pa is looking forward to retiring, Cole, the youngest, is about to get his driver's license, Seth will play college football, and Liam plans to be a firefighter and marry his high school sweetheart.  Until life takes an unexpected and unimaginable turn...  

In a single night, the brothers discovered a monstrous secret... about themselves.  Something laid dormant, until a ruthless gang triggers a series of events that will change their lives forever.  There is no going back and the future is as uncertain as their past is a mystery.   

Learn the story behind the BURNING MOON series in this exciting prequel novella.  And what if you are the monster?  Clean PNR & Romantic Suspense (best read after book 1)

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ASHES is the second book in the Burning Moon series, a prequel that the author says is best read after the first book.  Personally, I think it could be read either first or second.

I loved this short story explaining how Liam, Seth, and Cole discovered their werewolves and the effect it had on their lives.  Though a short story, there was no feeling of anything being rushed or left out.  Instead there is plenty of suspense, a bit of romance, and just enough questions left to make me want the next book to come sooner rather than later.

Note:  While I received this book as a gifted ARC, my opinions are my own and are given freely.

Burning Moon series:

1.      Spark

Ashes (prequel)

2.      Ignite

3.      Blaze

Also from R.K. Close:

The Vampire Files series:

1.      Red Night

2.      Red Moon

3.      Red Dream

 

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SPARK by R.K. Close

Title:  SPARK

Series:  Burning Moon #1

Author:  R.K. Close

Publisher:  R.K. Close Books

Publish Date:   11.19.2018

Category /Genre:  Paranormal Romance

Recommended for:  18+ due to sexual content

Grammar/editing:  book received as an unedited ARC / errors excused

Received from:  R.K. Close (as a gifted copy)

Goodreads link: Spark

Date completed: 01.20.2019

Description from the publisher:

New Series by R.K. CLOSE!
Fire Captain Liam McKenzie has a secret. He and his brothers are wolf-shifters living among the unsuspecting community of Flagstaff, Arizona. They’ve made the mountain town their home but when a group of vampires takes up residency there, the town may not be big enough for them and the vamps, especially when people begin to die.

Jessica Parker is a tenacious news reporter, looking for her big break. When she attempts to interview the handsome fire captain, she’s met with stubborn resistance, which only encourages Jess to dig deeper. She’s unaware of the turf war that’s about to take place. Jessica is strangely drawn to Liam, but the firefighter isn't the only head that Jessica has turned.

The stakes are high when a dangerous rogue vampire takes an interest in the feisty young reporter.

The McKenzie brothers have much to lose if they stay and an uncertain future if they leave. But leaving the community, and those they've come to care for isn't really an option at all. If they stay and fight, who will claim the town in the end?

Clean PNR / Book 1 of Burning Moon series

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SPARK is the first book in the Burning Moon series.  They should be read in the order of release.  The prequel, ASHES, should be read between books one and two.  In it we will read about the brothers’ lives before Flagstaff, some of which was hinted at in this book.

I’ve said it before and I’ll repeat it here:  an author’s motivation usually starts with the question, “what if…”  In SPARK, the question is, “what if three werewolf cubs were orphaned and nobody knew what they were were?  They would be raised human, right?  They have no concept of their race, fated mates, natural enemies, etc.  This is the life of Liam, Seth, and Cole McKenzie – three sexy firefighters in Flagstaff, Arizona.

SPARK is a clean romance with werewolves, vampires, and a Zoey…. I don’t want to say what she is as finding out is part of the fun.  There is romance and suspense along with a good dose of mystery.

I loved the insta-want between Liam and Jessie and the way they both tried to resist it.  Trust is a huge factor in their resistance, and I loved the author’s take on the concept.  We do all have small secrets that would mean nothing to anyone else.  I loved how insta-want became thoughtful pursuit.

I loved the many hints that were left regarding future books in the series and who may be matched up.  I loved Jessie’s best friend and coworker, Daisy.  She is fiercely loyal and just as fiercely supportive of Jessie.  She deserves her own HEA.  I’m looking forward to the rest of the series.

Note:  While I received this book as a gifted ARC, my opinions are my own and are given freely.

Burning Moon series:

1.      Spark

Ashes (prequel)

2.      Ignite

3.      Blaze

Also from R.K. Close:

The Vampire Files series:

1.      Red Night

2.      Red Moon

3.      Red Dream

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SECOND CHANCES by L.B. Dunbar

Title:  SECOND CHANCE

Series:  Silver Foxes #4

Author:  L.B. Dunbar

Publisher:  L.B. Dunbar

Publish Date:   01.29.2019

Category /Genre:  Contemporary Romance

Recommended for:  18+ due to sexual content

Grammar/editing:  book received as an unedited ARC / errors excused

Received from:  L.B. Dunbar (as an ARC gifted copy)

Goodreads link: Second Chance: a romance for the over 40

Date completed: 01.27.2019

Description from the publisher:

A sexy silver fox standalone romance for the over 40.

Her.
A widow at forty-four, her husband left her a letter.
Contact Denton.
Once upon a time, the three of them had been best friends.
Mati Rath isn’t sure she should look back.
Her heart isn’t ready, or so she thinks.

Him.
A pleading phone call forces him to make a decision.
I’ll be there.
Yet, he hasn’t been home in twenty-seven years.
Denton Chance isn’t sure he should return.
The past still haunts his heart.

A desire that never left them, along with circumstances beyond their control, brings the past to the present.

Can one sexy silver fox face the woman he once left behind but never let go?

Sometimes love deserves a second chance.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 

SECOND CHANCE is the fourth book in the Silver Foxes series.  Though each will stand on its own, they are even better when you have read them all and in the order of release.

I loved every minute of this story of unrequited love and a second chance to realize the rest of their dreams and fantasies.  Then I got to 85% (reading in my Kindle app) / chapter 44 - and gasp, sigh, tears! – I tell you it was all of my dreams and fantasies in one scene.

There are movie and book references to make me smile and laugh.  There are characters that I have fallen in love with and I hope L.B. Dunbar stays with this town and just keeps on telling their stories.  Most of all, there is Denton, Mati, and Chris.  They were three best friends all through childhood.  Denton left Blue Ridge, Georgia to chase his dreams in California and Chris married Mati.  Their history together is heartbreaking, haunting, and beautifully written.

Every woman wants a man who has loved her as Denton has loved Mati.  That, I believe, is a universal fantasy.  L.B. Dunbar has brought that fantasy to life and made the characters, their lives, and their families real and believable… and Denton is undeniably smoking hot.

All I can say is READ IT!  Love it with me; I’m sure you will.

Note:  While I received this book as a gifted ARC, my opinions are my own and are given freely.

Silver Foxes series:

1.      After Care

2.      Mid-Life Crisis

3.      Restored Dreams

4.      Second Chance

Also from L.B. Dunbar:

·         Chance Encounter

·         The History in Us

·         Rekindled

·         The Sex Education of M.E.

·         The Red Dress Affair

Island Duet:

1.      Redemption Island

2.      Return to the Island

Legendary Rock Stars Series:

1.      Arturo King

2.      The Story of Lansing Lotte

3.      The Quest of Perkins Vale

4.      The Truth of Tristan Lyons

5.      The Trials of Guinevere DeGrance

Modern Descendents Series:

1.      Hades

2.      Solis

3.      Heph

Paradise Series:

Paradise Tempted:  The Beginning

1.      Paradise Fought:  Abel

2.      Paradise Found:  Cain

Sensations Collection Series:

1.      Sound Advice

2.      Taste Test

3.      Fragrance Free

4.      Touch Screen

5.      Sight Words

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