Hello wine and romance lovers! It's that time of the week again. The time I get to talk about two of my favorite things--wine and romance novels! This week's pairing is brought to you by Author K. O. Newman's Paranormal Romance, Reclaiming Psyche and Beringer Bros. Tequila Barrel Aged Suvignon Blanc. It's pretty good, you should try it--both the wine and this fabulous book. Do it! You'll be glad you did ;) Links are down below. Till next week, I'm wishing you all a Happy Wine Wednesday  and, as always, lots of happy reading.

There was a spark. And then he was gone, and she's left with a little more than she bargained for...

Paige
I had it all handled. I had a great job, with my slightly crazy best friend, and I was doing my damnedest to raise my little girl all by myself, with maybe a little help from my friends. Didn't matter that I hadn't really known Hannah's dad. What mattered was that I loved my daughter with everything I had.

Nik
I was a former Special Forces Operative, who now was dealing with the fact that Gods, who had once been myth, were real. And I was supposedly one of them. I certainly didn't feel anything like a god. Most days I barely felt like a functioning adult. Fighting for the right side was never a hard choice, but superpowers where a whole nother animal that I wasn't ready to deal with.

When Paige and her best friend Aimee move back to the states for a job with the illustrious Oracles, gods who had come back to earth, she is faced with a man she never thought she would see again. Hannah's dad stood there, as sculpted and perfect as the last time she had seen him. Well, maybe a little less naked. And he was looking right at her as she stepped off the elevator. What is the first thing she does? Punches him right in the face. Thank the gods that Hannah didn't see.

Kick off your shoes, grab a cup of tea, and dive in to Paige and Nik's world of Gods and Monsters. Not to mention their second chance at love. This book is completely safe, no cheating, and I promise a HEA at the end.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B07M78ZHC2

From my review:
I really enjoyed the whole concept behind this book. I'm a sucker for re-engineered mythology and I loved the idea of the gods coming back to earth and manifesting themselves in humans. The romance was hot and the characters made me laugh out loud. There were some errors that did take me away from the story from time to time, but I enjoyed the world that the author built and think it's a great debut book from Newman. 4.5 stars for this highly imaginative and steamy read!

Hello everyone! Happy Books and Wine Wednesday. I hope you are all enjoying the month of September so far and are getting a lot of enjoyable reading in. This week's wine / book pairing is brought to you by Author Jillian James's Song of Smoke and Ironstone's Obsession Symphony. If you love fantasy romance with dragon shifters and court intrigue as well as whimsical white wine blends, then this is the pair for you! Don't forget to have your glass of Obsession at the ready when you sit down to read this lovely book for the perfect fantasy romance experience. Be sure to look for links to both down below. Have a wonderful rest of your week and, as always, happy reading!

In a world where humans have been forced to live below-ground for centuries as a war with Dragons rages on, 20 year-old Seda is forced to make a choice that will uncover old lies and open up new worlds.

Captured and taken into her enemy's home, she finds herself falling deeper and deeper under the spell of an enigmatic and charming Dragon warrior. Dederic challenges her, tempts her and leaves her longing for what is possible.

As her feelings shift from icy contempt to blazing desire, Seda must find a way to heal the broken divide between their two worlds and save what matters most before it's too late.


Author's Note: This is a medium-burn romance intended for readers 18+. This story contains strong language, sex, and violence.

Available on Amazon
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B07VMZ6CTY

From my review:
I loved the whole world that the author built. Her colorful descriptions and the characters that she created really pulled me into to the futuristic setting where humans and dragon kind are at war with each other and treachery lurks around every corner.
Song of Smoke begins with Seda, the human daughter of the high king of Illburn, being sold into marriage to a cruel warlord. Seda’s compassion and empathy are constantly landing her on the wrong side of her cold, heartless father and the rest of the male dominated court. Woman have no higher ranking than cattle and are treated abominably in the underground kingdom where humans have been forced to dwell since the beginning of the war with the dragons. When Seda’s soft heart leads her to aid in a dragon’s escape from the dungeon at Illburn, she becomes entangled in the world of dragons and quickly learns that all the horrid tales she had heard about the shifters were lies.
In the home of a dragon pride she sees a better way of life and her magical gift flourishes under the tutelage of the very handsome shifter, Dederic. If I ever run across a dragon shifter man, I hope he looks just like Dederic because *swoon* - he’s so sexy!
There were a few typos and grammar errors but nothing that detracted from the story. All in all, this was a great read that kept me engaged from start to finish.

Happy Book Teaser Tuesday everyone! Today's teaser comes straight out of Odile, Legend of the Black Swan. Only 99 cents, for a limited time. Grab your copy of this magical dark fairy tale today!

Pale, cold mistress of the serpent’s lair, blood red lips and coal black hair…
 
Enter the world of the Black Swan, a dark and seductive tale where things are not always as they seem. Odile is the reviled villainess of Aarroughac, a castle inhabited by the evil wizard, Count Rothebart. After a sinister magic sweeps through the land and results in death, Odile is accused of the crime. Von Rothebart vanishes, leaving her to face the wrath of an entire kingdom alone until a mysterious stranger with powers of his own comes along.  
 
With vengeance as his guide, Lord Azarus di Caspari hunts an ancient curse. When he crosses paths with the Black Swan of legend, he immediately makes up his mind to use the temptress’s magic for his own devices. But when Azarus learns that the story of the sorceress might not be true, disappointment gives way to desire. Spells are cast and secrets are revealed, but can love exist in the shadow of two dark hearts such as theirs?
 
Are the tales of the Black Swan true? Is she a murderess and an evil sorceress to be feared or is she the only thing standing between true evil and the fall of a kingdom?  Only time will tell as the magical story of the Black Swan unfolds.
 
 
Odile, Legend of the Black Swan is a stand alone fantasy, fairy tale romance inspired by the legendary ballet, Swan Lake.
 
An Enchanted Lands Romance.
 
 
 

Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B07ML6X6KF

Barnes & Noble, Ibooks, Kobo:
https://www.books2read.com/u/3G9D2d

Hello reader friends!  This week's pairing is brought to you by Author Eve L. Mitchell's contemporary romance, Dark Heart, and Geyser Peak Winery's Sauvignon Blanc. If you love  romance reads with edge, be sure to grab up a copy of Dark Heart today. Don't forget to pour yourself a glass of Geyser Peak to go along with, then settle in for the ride that Mitchell delivers in this steamy, bad boy romance. Happy Books & WIne Wednesday, everyone and happy reading!

My name is Aaron Jonson. I don’t have the time or the patience for most things. I’m not a nice guy.

There are few things in life I care about, my family, well…not all of them…and making money. I’m a simple man with simple pleasures. I work hard and I play harder, cliché? Probably.

I like routine. I like things to be controlled. More importantly, I like to be the one in control.

Lela Morgan is going to be a huge problem for me. I am not a babysitter. The minute I saw her in the airport, I knew she was going to be trouble.

Now she’s in my house. She’s at my work. She’s in my head.

She’s testing my limits. She’s pushing my control. She’s not going to beat me.

I play hard and I will win…because as I said, I’m really not a nice guy.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B07QBLJXK8

From my review:

Okay, I’m not gonna lie, when I saw the cover on this book, I had to have it because… oh, my! Totally swoon worthy. The brusque, alpha male hero, Aaron Johnson, is as well so it was easy to see why Lela couldn’t keep her eyes off him. I didn’t read the first book in this series, but had no trouble following the story and am now all the more intrigued about the underground world the author has created. The characters were well developed—even the supporting characters and the villains. I also liked that it was told from Aaron’s perspective. I’m not always a fan of  first person pov, but it was done beautifully in Dark Heart and stayed consistent and believable throughout. As for the romance between Aaron and Lela, I’ll go ahead and call it a slow burn even though there were times when I worried that these two might never give in to their attraction and come together. That being said, it was a smoldering affair that in the end just ‘worked’. A very satisfying read with edge.

COVER REVEAL & Pre order!! Immortal Hunger Boxed Set!

Everyone stop what you're doing!
Aaannd look at this super hot cover for the Immortal Hunger Boxed Set!
20 Paranormal Romance Authors, 20 books!  All proceeds benefit the Epilepsy Foundation and the set is on pre order right now through Amazon, B&N, Ibooks and Kobo for only 99 cents. I am so excited for my book, Odile, to be a part of this set, I can't even tell you all how much!
Release date is October 15, 2019, so go order your copy today at this great price and support a phenomenal organization.

Happy Wine Wednesday! We're into the 'dog days' of summer here, in my neck of the woods. If you're rolling along, looking for a little something exciting to spice up these last couple weeks of August, this week's wine / book pairing should do the trick. Author Lawrence Hall's  superhero romance, Vigillante, and the ever intriguing, Kung Fu Girl Reisling are the perfect temptation for the adventurous soul. So pull up your favorite reading spot and pour yourself a glass. Happy reading everybody!

Ashlyn Rivers is a detective in the Orias Police Department. Every day she goes about doing her part to protect and serve the people. Recently, a new criminal organization has moved into the city. If they continue to disturb the current crime boss and his empire, they will start a turf war that will hurt a lot of innocent people.

The mayor, meanwhile, has declared that the Vigilante is to be arrested on sight for fear others may try to copy him. Ashlyn cannot explain it, but she feels a connection with him and believes that he actually helps the OPD. If he truly has the abilities they say, she can sleep better at night knowing he has watch. Many in the department however, will go out of their way to make a name for themselves by being the cop that brings him in. Even if it costs lives.

There's a war coming and a lot of blood will be shed, unless Ashlyn can stop it with help from the Vigilante. That's if the Orias Police stay out of the way.

She works for the law, he works above it. Will they find a way to save the city and come together, or will their worlds forever keep their love apart? This debut novel puts a fresh spin on the female heroine, the man that loves her and those she's sworn to protect.

From my review:
I loved the whole superhero theme. I’ve read a ton of paranormal romances because it’s my favorite genre, but I hadn’t read one like this before. Good job, Author Hall, for putting something new on the scene. Vigilante was action packed, full of underworld, criminal intrigues and I could totally see it as a graphic novel. That would be really cool. I liked how the Vigilante’s superhero back story started to take shape in this first book and look forward to more secrets being revealed as the series continues.
 

What readers are saying...

Here is another fabulous reader review of Odile, Legend of the Black Swan from Indie book blogger, Melanie A. Smith put together with a lovely bookstagram photo done by @carpelibrum.in of Instagram! If you love dark fairy tales, be sure to grab up your own copy of Odile and... Enter the world of the Black Swan.

Blurb
 
****
Pale, cold mistress of the serpent’s lair, blood red lips and coal black hair…
 
Enter the world of the Black Swan, a dark and seductive tale where things are not always as they seem. Odile is the reviled villainess of Aarroughac, a castle inhabited by the evil wizard, Count Rothebart. After a sinister magic sweeps through the land and results in death, Odile is accused of the crime. Von Rothebart vanishes, leaving her to face the wrath of an entire kingdom alone until a mysterious stranger with powers of his own comes along.  
 
With vengeance as his guide, Lord Azarus di Caspari hunts an ancient curse. When he crosses paths with the Black Swan of legend, he immediately makes up his mind to use the temptress’s magic for his own devices. But when Azarus learns that the story of the sorceress might not be true, disappointment gives way to desire. Spells are cast and secrets are revealed, but can love exist in the shadow of two dark hearts such as theirs?
 
Are the tales of the Black Swan true? Is she a murderess and an evil sorceress to be feared or is she the only thing standing between true evil and the fall of a kingdom?  Only time will tell as the magical story of the Black Swan unfolds.
 
 
Odile, Legend of the Black Swan is a stand alone fantasy, fairy tale romance inspired by the legendary ballet, Swan Lake.
 
An Enchanted Lands Romance.

Amazon:
www.amazon.com/dp/B07ML6X6KF

Barnes & Noble, Ibooks, Kobo:
www.books2read.com/u/3G9D2d

Happy Wine and Book Wednesday everyone! This week's pairing is brought to you by Author Tori Alvarez's Naive in Love and Benziger Family Winery's Chardonnay. Naive in love is a New Adult, college romance perfect for all the back to school feels going on this time of year. I don't have any going off to college yet, but I know that I am definitely having some of those yearnings. As in, how soon do the kids start back to school again? Mama needs a quiet moment here. Lol. Here's hoping you all find a quiet moment to read Naive in Love with a glass of Benziger. Happy reading, book and wine lovers!

How do you know what love is if you have never experienced it? Love or infatuation? How's one to tell?

Sophia is having trouble navigating these new experiences during her first year in college. Each time someone tells her to follow her heart, she is even more confused and frustrated. Away from home and her friends, she needs to figure out who she is.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B077PS28JM

From my review:
Naive in Love
by Tori Alvarez

College romance
 
Great debut novel! Many life changes and first experiences were depicted very well in this book and the characters were relatable. It took me a little while to get into, but once the MC settled into her new life as a college freshman the story took off. There were a few times where I wished I could have put a bug in Sophia’s ear about a certain bad news boyfriend. But then, YAY! Ethan stepped in and saved the day! Nice coming of age story. Would recommend to anyone who enjoys NA romances that revolve around college life.

Happy Teaser Tuesday everyone! Here is a small bit from Moontide and a beautiful reader  pic, along with a new review. If you haven't started the Tides of Atlantis series yet, what are you waiting for? Grab a copy of Moontide or read it for free on Kindle Unlimited and ... slip into the Tides.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B079YV29C1

Captain Ronan Garring stepped out from behind the mists and into the blaring sounds of a modern day tavern. The last time he and his crew had come to the surface, there’d been nothing here but a stretch of beach. That had been nearly a century ago.
His five man crew followed behind him, then spread out into a throng of people and tried to blend in with the mass of revelers. He skirted the crowd and looked for his contact. The place thrummed with unearthly energies, but they weren’t of the heavenly variety so he knew that the Olympian had yet to show. It figured. The entities that resided in Zeus’s realm were generally a careless lot of bastards so it wasn’t surprising that whoever Poseidon had sent him to meet was late.
He studied his surroundings, noting the carefree attitude of the humans. They had no idea that they danced and drank with the dark spirits of the underworld. Ronan could see them though. He’d always been able to see the others.
His vision blurred for an instant as a wave of nausea came over him then passed. It was Thema the Nereid’s curse; a subtle reminder that his time here was finite. The longer he stayed away from his sea realm island, the more pain that would be inflicted on him by the nymph who held his life in her hands. And if he stayed too long…well, he had no hope of escaping back to earth permanently unless he wished for an excruciating death. This was how the Nereid queen fulfilled Poseidon’s demand that he be used as an emissary while she kept him and his men bound to her. Even after she’d been banished from the Isle of Gades, the curse remained effective. Thema had angered Poseidon by interfering with humans when she took Ronan and his crew as her slaves, now they worked for Poseidon though they had never seen the god themselves.
Rolling his shoulders back, he ignored the drain of the curse and waited at the end of the bar so he had a better view of the place the Tides had dropped him and his crew into. Finn, Bas and James had already stationed themselves within the tavern’s perimeter while Will and Cully were still exiting the portal. They’d been eager to travel through the mists and see 21st century Earth, while at the same time, watching their captain’s back. Their loyalty reminded Ronan why he had accepted the evil Thema’s terms for their survival centuries ago.
Ronan searched the crowd until his eyes landed on a young woman sitting all the way across the dance floor. A mix of moon and artificial light reflected off her skin and hair and she appeared to glow. Her luminous quality piqued his sixth sense, but he couldn’t get a read off of her that exposed her as anything other than human. Still, there was something about her that he couldn’t turn away from. She shone like something otherworldly, but not from any kind of demon glamour.

Mrs. Teapotlane
5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic start to the series!


This author is new to me and I am so happy that I found her! Elements of Greek Mythology mixed with regular people makes for an interesting paranormal romance read! The subplots are engaging well-crafted. The worldbuilding is a mix of the Ancient and modern world are rich and very well thought out-this alone deserves 5 stars. The dynamic between Ronan and Cindy left me rooting for them early on! Although there are quite a few plot threads to follow Amanda brings it all together while simultaneously setting up for the next installment! I thought this was well executed. This was an easy 5 star for me and I am looking forward to delving into book 2! Well done!

Happy Wine Wednesday everyone! I hope you are all having a fabulous week. This week's wine / book pairing is brought to you by Author Clara Winter's paranormal romance, The King of Kings from her Immortal Kindred series and, one of my favorites, Apothic White. These two together make for a truly enjoyable reading experience!

Love has no limits…

Alexandre has retreated from the world. He has no one to love, nowhere to call home. While licking his wounds in the middle of nowhere, Alexandre is approached by Irish lass, Bria. She has a proposal for him; to follow her to Ireland and fight demons.

Alexandre finds this amusing, but intriguing. More than anything, he is curious to see the individual who sent Bria, someone from his ancient past.

In Ireland, Alexandre confronts a dilemma greater than fighting demons. He must face down fiends of all kinds, deciding once and for all who he really is. Sparks fly between Bria and Alexandre, adding to the already complicated situation. Can a bad boy vampire really change?

The King of Kings is set in southern Ireland with a glimpse back to Ancient Egypt.

http://www.amazon.com/B07S9LKRZN

From my review:

Demons, Immortals and Vampires… oh my!
 
Very much enjoyed this book. I jumped into this series on book three without having read the first two books, but had no trouble at all following the story line. The mix of mythologies and ancient mysteries made for a very intriguing story world. I flew through the pages and look forward to reading the rest of the Immortal Kindred stories.