Showing posts sorted by relevance for query Maxine Mansfield. Sort by date Show all posts
Showing posts sorted by relevance for query Maxine Mansfield. Sort by date Show all posts

Thursday, January 9, 2014

Blog Tour - Feasted On: Tamed By The Fire by Maxine Mansfield | Review & Giveaway

Today I'm turning my blog over to Maxine Mansfield, with a review of her novel "Tamed By The Fire," which is the 4th book in The Academy Series!!

ALSO -- Be sure to comment on this post to be able to sign up for this tour's GIVEAWAYs (listed below)!! [Blog Tour will run from January 6 - 10, 2013]



- This is an ARC book - Available Formats through Amazon.com: Paperback - Pages: 342; Kindle Edition - File Size: 511 KB | Release Date: October 24, 2013 | Publisher: The Wild Rose Press | Obtained: Goddess Fish Promotions

"Tamed By The Fire" [The Academy Series, Book 4] by Maxine Mansfield

Author's Book Description : Kitrina Dragonheart is a hunted woman, but the last thing the savvy rogue wants is to partner in a quest with the arrogant but oh-so-sexy prince who deflowered her. But when the threat extends to her legacy and her loved ones, she has no choice but to accept his skills as an extraordinary warrior. Now if she can just get past the distraction of his touch.

Barbarian Zander Hammerstrike vowed to protect Kit with his life. But who's going to protect Zander from the sensually sassy human? She's playing havoc on his sanity—as well as his libido—and she's on the verge of stealing his heart...again. He can't let that happen. As future ruler of Alaria, Zander must take a barbarian wife to keep the bloodline pure, and Kit being human...

Destined from birth to follow different paths, their love seems impossible, but does the Dragon Heart Opal have other plans in store for the pair?

My Book Review : 4 out of 5 stars, a girl who has loved her best friends older brother throughout her whole life learns that her feelings/hopes/dreams are reciprocated but--because of who they are and their duties--they can never be fulfilled .... or can they?

This is a great addition to The Academy series by Ms. Mansfield! It portrays a fun look at some of our favorite previous main & secondary characters (where are they now) as well as giving you enjoyable new characters to follow (mostly their children). In addition, this plot has the series' usual suspense that keeps you enraptured and not wanting to put it down!

Kit & Zander are one couple that tries to fight fate even when they don't want to. I liked how these two just clicked despite everything against them. Especially, I enjoyed learning about Kit's abilities and their relation to her stone it was thrilling to find out what would happen to her next. My only wish is that she wasn't so naive when it came to certain things/people, even though it all worked out in the end.

Overall, I recommend this novel and series to anyone who likes fantasy romances!

Purchase This Book and/or The Other Books From It's Series Here :

My Previous Review(s) for this Series : Book 2

Author's Novel Extras : Tamed by the Fire

Author's Series Extras : The Academy Series - Overview | Leekyism's ta live by | Leekyism of the Day | Leekyism of the Day | Leekyism of the Day :) | Leeky's Day | A Leeky Tuesday Afternoon | Another Leeky Tuesday Afternoon | Just Another Leeky Friday Morning | Just Another Slushy Leeky Morning | Touched by the Magic out May 4th | Sinful Sirens Blog Tour | To be, or not to be NAUGHTY :) | Goddess Fish review tour | Today's review link

Book Teaser(s) :
She giggled, though not sure if it was from the euphoria of his touch or the simple lack of oxygen to her brain. Wouldn’t that obituary be interesting to read? Young woman succumbs while still a virgin. But don’t be too sad for her, dear reader, for she died with a smile plastered on her face. One even the mortician couldn’t wipe away. Oh, what a wondrous death it would be. ~ within Chapter 1
Kitrina pushed yet another student, this time a halfling, out of the path of a flying ball of fire. Graydon and Gareth Sunwalker could both go straight to the Valley of Torment as far as she was concerned.
Weeding out the weak...really? A class tradition from the past when their father, Sarco Sunwalker, Lord of the Elves, had been the wizard instructor here? Whatever.
What her two dark-haired, pointy-eared, mostly high-elf, identical pseudo cousins were really trying to do was decrease the number of students they’d have to contend with in their class. But instead of just coming out and saying there were way too many wanna-be wizards interested in learning how to control and use the magic of fire, they’d devised this totally unfair little exercise and had called it weeding out the weak.
In reality, though, what the co-instructors of elemental wizardry were doing was unfairly matching their skills against the poor unsuspecting throng of students and...and...enjoying it way more than they should.
The twins both took turns throwing low-level fireballs at random intervals. Any student unfortunate enough to receive a direct hit was then immediately tossed out of the class.
She wanted to throttle them.
They were supposed to be aiming at all of the students. They weren’t, though. They were cheating, and it was obvious to anyone with eyes and the time to spare a look in her direction. Even after twelve fireballs being thrown in rapid sequence, not one single flaming orb had come anywhere near her.
So much for discretion in their task of keeping her safe. And so much for not showing apparent favoritism.
Gareth grinned at her as he angled his arm off to the right. ~ within Chapter 7
For more information on this book, series, and/or any other books by Maxine, then please check out her website.



About the Author :

Hi, my name is Maxine Mansfield, and I write fantasy, erotic romances. I live in the far northern state of Alaska where the summer days are long and the winter nights even longer. I have one very special man, his three equally special children, and our six delightful grandchildren in my life. Not to mention a very bossy African Grey parrot named Gabriel. Oh, and Gnomes! Many, many Gnomes!



Book Excerpt :

A girl’s deflowering is a once-in-a-lifetime event...

He didn’t say a word as they walked from the great room or even as they made their way down the long hall. Not a “hi, how are you?” Not a “how have you been?” Not even an “I’ve always been attracted to you, and I’m looking forward to doing this.” Nothing but silence.

When the door of her chamber clicked closed behind them, shutting them all alone from the rest of the world, Kitrina jumped at the sound of the bolt tumbling into place. She searched for something clever to say. Where was the speech she’d prepared just yesterday? The witty words meant to assure Zander that she was a woman full grown, sophisticated even? Words meant to put them both at ease?

They were gone, completely gone, and her mind totally blank.

Well, perhaps not totally blank. Even though she no longer faced him, she could still hear the depth of his breathing and in her mind still see the ripple of his muscles, the intensity of his gaze, the nearness of his lips. She gulped.

When his hands lifted her hair away and his fingers grazed the skin at the back of her neck, heat infused her from head to toe, and though certainly not cold, she shivered.

“Easy, my lady. Relax, all will be well. You shall see.”

The closure of her gown suddenly gave way, and with a whoosh, the gossamer green material pooled about her feet. Kit stepped out of it, took a deep breath to steady herself, then turned to face him. The appreciation for what he saw reflected back to her from his heated gaze and bolstered her shaky nerves as nothing else on Albrath could have. Though his breathing appeared steady, his lips parted and his nostrils slightly flared.

Kitrina reached out and undid the clasp holding his kilt together. There was no mistaking his attraction to her as the plaid fell to the floor.



Giveaways!! :

  • A $25 Amazon or B&N Gift Card to a randomly drawn commenter during the tour

To Enter : Please leave a comment on this post, with a valid email address included at the end of it.

Soo .... COMMENT, COMMENT, COMMENT on this post!! And you could WIN!! =0)

ALSO -- Be sure to follow the tour around the other blog sites! Commenting on the other stops on the tour will also increase your chance of winning!



Find Maxine Mansfield :

Friday, April 12, 2013

Blog Tour - Feasted On: Tempted by the Storm by Maxine Mansfield | Review & Giveaway

Today I'm turning my blog over to Maxine Mansfield, with a review of her novel "Tempted by the Storm," which is the 2nd book in The Academy of Magical Arts Series!!

ALSO -- Be sure to comment on this post to be able to sign up for this tour's GIVEAWAYs (listed below)!! [Blog Tour will run from April 1 - 12, 2013]



- This is an ARC book - Available Formats through Amazon.com: Paperback - Pages: 370; Kindle Edition - File Size: 552 KB | Release Date: October 15, 2012 | Publisher: The Wild Rose Press | Obtained: Goddess Fish Promotions

"Tempted by the Storm" [The Academy of Magical Arts Series, Book 2] by Maxine Mansfield

My Book Summary : Larksong (Lark) was born a spiritmaster. Making her strong in the ways of mind-over-mind and mind-over-matter meaning her emotions can control the weather around her and more. It also meant that she was the outcast of the family and her mother always made it known to Lark that she wasn't who her mother wanted because she wasn't a boy and of her abilities. Therefore, she has become her older sister's--Aryanna--companion knowing that her family will never allow her to marry and have a family of her own.

A few days before Lark is charged with attending The Academy of Magical Arts with her sister so Aryanna can meet her betrothed, Aryanna encourages Lark to attend the Carnalval (a masked party where inhibitions rain free) where Lark meets the man of her dreams...

The only down part is that after a wild night of passion she sneaks a peak under his mask, while he's sleeping, just to fully appreciate his handsomeness only to realize she knows who he is! His name is Sarco and just happens to be the future Lord of the High Elves, as well as, he's Aryanna's betrothed!

Now Sarco and her have to deal with their passions, responsibilities, and find out what is more important to them in the end... honor, love, passion, truth, or all of the above if they can manage it.

My Book Review : 4.5 out of 5 stars!! This novel is the perfect mix of hilarity, adventurousness, family love/loyalty, and erotic love scenes!! With its great cast of characters this novel, and series, is one that I feel every adult that reads it will enjoy at least some aspect of it!

I enjoyed reading about Lark & Sarco's struggle between their hearts and their duty. Especially when they both realized that they never truly put themselves first before and no matter how much they want to now they can't because they care too much for their families and their people to do that to them. Nevertheless, these two make a great duo, from their magical talents to their sense of humor they complement each other very well.

Also, even though I understand why they did the things, they did and even though they make a good pair too, I wasn't really a fan of Aryanna & Cyrrick (Lark's sister & Sarco's brother). Mostly because of the way, they handled everything regarding their love and trying to manipulate Lark & Sarco into meeting/being together so that Aryanna & Cyrrick could be together instead of following the prophecy, which was putting Sarco & Aryanna together. --I hope I didn't confuse you ... I know I almost confused myself.-- =0) Anyway, Aryanna & Cyrrick are a good match up too I just wish they did things differently. Yet, I liked how they make up for everything in the last couple of chapters in the book.

Who really stole the show in this novel, though, was Leeky & Laycee (Sarco & Lark's gnomes)! They were a cute little pair with their multipurpose sex dolls Miss Bunny & Tug. While being some of the comic relief in this novel they also held their own by begin the voice of reason for Lark & Sarco. Plus, it was enjoyable to read about Leeky's multitude of "special" gloves he had to wear and his "roguish" ways.

All in all, there was never a dull moment while reading this novel. I hope you'll enjoy it as much as I did! Now I'm very intrigued to read the rest of this series!

I recommend this novel and series to anyone who likes fantasy romances!

- On a side note -
This novel had so many funny moments that I wanted to share in my teaser section (see below) that I had a hard time choosing.

Author's Series Extras : Leekyism's ta live by | Leekyism of the Day | Leekyism of the Day | Leekyism of the Day :) | Leeky's Day | A Leeky Tuesday Afternoon | Another Leeky Tuesday Afternoon | Just Another Leeky Friday Morning | Just Another Slushy Leeky Morning | Touched by the Magic out May 4th | Sinful Sirens Blog Tour | To be, or not to be NAUGHTY :)

Book Teaser(s) :
First day of classes, and could a nice, welcoming lecture with perhaps a simple homework assignment be sufficient? Oh, no, not for Sarco “The Tormentor” Sunwalker.
After listening to a full hour of mind-numbing facts on ancient wizard history, the class had retired to the arena for what Sarco “The Sadist” Sunwalker described as weeding out the weak.
Lark closed her eyes and concentrated on trying to suck sufficient air into her lungs. The ache in her ribs reminded her that deep breathing wasn’t a function she’d be performing again anytime soon. Nausea threatened to rid her of what little she’d been able to force down at lunch as images raced through her head of what Sarco “The Evil Spawn from the Valley of Torment” Sunwalker had gleefully labeled Wizard Lab. ~ within Chapter 6
Tears burned the corners of Lark’s eyes.
She caught Sarco’s eye, and he smiled that mischievous smile she so loved. A familiar warmth seeped into her mind.
“I don’t like your mother, Wonderful. How much do you want to bet she has that same sour expression on her face when your father gets up the nerve to actually ask her for sex? I’d wager she even critiques the poor fellow’s performance in bed. ‘To the right...no, your other right, barbarian! Faster, faster—no, slower. Oh, just get off of me and forget it.’”
Lark covered her mouth with both hands, trying her best to suppress a laugh. Her face burned even hotter, knowing none of the other people at the table were privy to what Sarco had just thought. They probably thought she was not only a glutton and a mistake, but an idiot to boot.
“Stop it. You’re going to get me in so much trouble.”
His slow, lazy smile made her heart thump wildly. ~ within Chapter 13
For more information on this book, series, and/or any other books by Maxine, then please check out her website.



About the Author :

Hi, my name is Maxine Mansfield and I write romantic fantasy. I live in the far northern state of Alaska where the summer days are long and the winter nights even longer.

I have one very special man, our three equally special children, and six delightful grandchildren in my life. Not to mention a very bossy African Grey parrot named Gabriel.

Oh, and Gnomes! many, many gnomes.




Book Excerpt :

There was only one word that could describe the creature standing before him. Wonderful.

“Did you say something?” the woman whispered.

He shook his head. “Nothing, I just can’t believe my luck. You really are real and here with me.”

She smiled, but her smile didn’t extend to her eyes.

Before another heartbeat passed or another breath taken, he stood at her side. With tenderness, he gazed into her gentle, masked face and took both of her hands in his. He was humbled as her fingers trembled even more than his own did. “We don’t have to do this if you’d rather not.”

She smiled wider, and her eyes gleamed with mischief. “I suppose we might as well. After all, we’re already here, and you’re at least halfway undressed.”

Sliding his hands up her arms and around her shoulders to her back, Sarco felt for and found the clasps holding her gown together. With the flick of a wrist, they gave way, and with a swish, the silky fabric fell to her hips exposing lush, rose-tipped breasts. Just the right size to hold in both hands, to fondle, to caress, to taste.

“Hmm, it seems you’re halfway undressed yourself.”



Giveaways!! :

  • A Tempted by the Storm themed gift bag to a randomly drawn commenter during the tour (US/CANADA ONLY)

To Enter : Please leave a comment on this post, with a valid email address included at the end of it.

Soo .... COMMENT, COMMENT, COMMENT on this post!! And you could WIN!! =0)

ALSO -- Be sure to follow the tour around the other blog sites! Commenting on the other stops on the tour will also increase your chance of winning!



Find Maxine Mansfield :

Monday, July 25, 2016

Idolizing In: The Dream Chronicles, Book 1

- This is an ARC book - Available Formats through Amazon: Paperback - Pages: 252; Kindle Edition - File Size: 757 KB | Expected Release Date: March 25, 2015 | Publisher: ImaJinn Books | Obtained: NetGalley

"DreamSinger" / "Dream Singer" [The Dream Chronicles, Book 1] by J. A. Ferguson (aka Jo Ann Ferguson, Joanna Hampton, Jo Ann Brown, Rebecca North, & Marianne Ellis)

Author's Book Description : A world lost . . .

First Daughter Nerienne, heir to the Tiria of Gayome, faces the destruction of everything she knows when her mother’s enemies kill the Tiria. Nerienne is left with just her magic and with Bidge, a mysterious creature that speaks only to her. She is rescued by Durgan Ketassian, leader of the rebels in the northern woods, but can she trust this man whom her mother condemned to die?

A dream found . . .

Durgan knows he cannot trust Nerienne. Her mother had been his enemy ever since she began slaying dreamsingers, skilled musicians who sing the future through one’s dreams. He has vowed to see his people free of the Tiria’s domination, never guessing the Tiria’s daughter could awaken parts of his heart he’d shut away.

A song without end . . .

To save Gayome, Nerienne and Durgan must work together to defeat their common enemy. But to become allies opens them to the greatest threat of all . . . falling in love.

My Book Review : 5 out of 5 stars!! One woman struggles to uphold her responsibilities in the face of her world crumbling around her while one man seeks vengeance for all he has lost. Together they become unlikely allies against those who plan to give them equal harm. Yet, can they do so without losing themselves and their hearts to one another in the process?

This epic journey begins with this enticing novel! Intense and spell binding, I was riveted from the very beginning when Durgan is plotting his “escape.” In ways, it reminded me a lot of Maxine Mansfield's The Academy Series because of how the characters from Ms. Mansfield's series and this one (Ms. Ferguson's) seem to have similar characteristics to me, and how the series' are laid out.

Their snark, courageousness, and determination won me over in the beginning and reading about them slowly falling for one another made me root for Durgan and Nerienne more so then most characters I’ve read about. Together they make one grand couple (two pieces of a whole) that could rule all if only they'd allow it. I LOVED their banter! Plus, adding cute/sweet Bidge into their relationship didn’t hurt either.

I HIGHLY recommend this novel to those looking for a fantasy romance with an epic tale.

Purchase This Book and/or The Other Books From It's Series Here : Shop Your Indie/Local Bookstores (IndieBound - Paperback) USD : DreamShaper / Dream Shaper (Book 2) | Shop Your Indie/Local Bookstores (IndieBound - Paperback) USD : DreamMaster / Dream Master (Book 3) | Shop Your Indie/Local Bookstores (IndieBound - Paperback) USD : DreamTraveler / Dream Traveler (Book 4) | Shop Your Indie/Local Bookstores (IndieBound - Paperback) USD : DreamSeeker / Dream Seeker (Book 5) | Amazon (Kindle) USD : DreamShaper / Dream Shaper (Book 2) | Amazon (Kindle) USD : DreamMaster / Dream Master (Book 3) | Amazon (Kindle) USD : DreamTraveler / Dream Traveler (Book 4) | Amazon (Kindle) USD : DreamSeeker / Dream Seeker (Book 5)


Shop Your Indie/Local Bookstores (IndieBound - Paperback) USD : DreamSinger / Dream Singer (Book 1)
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Kobo (e-Book) USD : DreamSinger / Dream Singer (Book 1)
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Alibris (Paperback) USD : DreamSinger / Dream Singer (Book 1)

Amazon (Kindle) USD : DreamSinger / Dream Singer (Book 1)

Amazon (Paperback) USD : DreamSinger / Dream Singer (Book 1)
Dream Singer
Barnes & Noble (NOOK Book) USD : DreamSinger / Dream Singer (Book 1)
Dreamsinger
Barnes & Noble (Paperback) USD : DreamSinger / Dream Singer (Book 1)
Kobo (e-Books) USD : The Dream Chronicles

Book Teaser(s) :
"You are a woman, not a goddess. You are mortal," he whispered. "A single slash of a blade here will rid Gayome of you."
"You will not kill me." Her voice wobbled on each word, but she kept her chin high. She must not let him discover how his touch unnerved her. "You need me."
"You have no idea how much."
His lips claimed hers as he swept her to him. She gripped his sleeve, caught between wanting to flee and wanting to stay in his strong arms. ~ within Chapter 4
Their guards argued over who would have the honor of announcing their victory. Underneath their voices, Nerienne whispered, "How do you fare?"
"Not bad," Durgan answered. "The bleeding's stopped. I should survive long enough to be executed." ~ within Chapter 13
"Let's go and look about the marketplace. There is no sense fighting about this now."
"I am sure we can find something else to argue about."
"Without a doubt." ~ within Chapter 17

Book Preview(s) :
For more information on this book, series, and/or any other books by J. A. / Jo Ann, then please check out her Amazon Acct.

Friday, February 14, 2014

Best Book Couples -- Happy Valentine's Day 2014

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY EVERYONE!!

Time to spread the love!! In honor of it being Valentine's Day ... here is a list (in no particular order) of book couples that I thoroughly enjoyed reading about this past year (from February 2013 - January 2014):

means that I gave the couple's novel a 5 star rating
-- Read more about the novel (and a teaser or two) each couple is in by clicking their title links --

Is there any book couple who you really enjoyed reading about this past year?? If so---who, from which book, and why??

-- Click here to check out my best couple list for 2013. --

Friday, September 18, 2020

Currently Reading - Week 3 of Sept 2020 | #BookTube #FantasyRomance

So ... I had actually just finished a novel on this past Wednesday. Therefore, I never posted another When & Where am I Wednesday this week .... BUT here is what I am currently reading as of today (Friday)! Tell me what you think ... please.


If you can't see/watch the above video then click here to watch it.

Saturday, January 30, 2010

Life don't go quite like you planned it, We try so hard to understand it ...

"Please give my friend a job. Please." - Miss Sherridan Smith, best friend

"Playing With Fire" [part of the 'Tales of an Extraordinary Girl' series] by Gena Showalter takes on another version of someone who has the ability to control the elements ... in this case those would be fire, wind, water, and earth .... and the person would be Belle. However, Belle didn't get these powers on her own .... a scientist had actually slipped the formula into her drink, without her knowledge, and it changed her into getting them. Now she has these powers .... one hot man and a whole lot of killers after her to get their hands on her and the formula in the process. It doesn't help that the scientist took off without letting her know what was happening to her and now she needs to find him to possibly get an antidote. But will she be able to find the scientist before her killers find her??

3 out of 5 stars. Belle is a cute character ... fierce and kind. You definitely root for her. And I like this new take on these types of powers ... since the only other character I've read so far with them has been Zoey from the "House of Night series" by P. C. Cast & Kristin Cast ... however ... Gena put's her own twist to them as you soon find out that Belle's powers work mostly with her emotions .... and with that the possibilities are endless. *hahaa*

"If you're looking for trouble, Belle is the girl for you. P.S. - Hurt her and I'll kill you." - Mr. Rome Masters, aka "Cat Man"

For more information on this book, series and/or any other books by Gena, then please check out her website.

** Title is from the song It Happens by Sugarland **



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More specifically Jess partners those websites' programs and you should be aware that they may collect personal information when you interact with their sites. The collection and use of this information is subject to their own privacy policies.
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Related Posts :
This site is a participant in various affiliate advertising programs through Amazon.com, Rakuten Marketing, Commission Junction, IndieBound, Smashwords, Book Depository, and more that are designed to provide a means for Jess to earn minimal advertising fees by showcasing the areas you can purchase the corresponding products that Jess discusses within her blog posts. Basically Jess earns from qualifying purchases.
More specifically Jess partners those websites' programs and you should be aware that they may collect personal information when you interact with their sites. The collection and use of this information is subject to their own privacy policies.
You can check out Rakuten Marketing's privacy policy here: https://rakutenmarketing.com/legal-notices/services-privacy-policy/