Deformed and wretched, Captain Marrex roams the black of space with only a pair of eccentric AIs for company. The curse in his DNA means a long, bitterly lonely life for the Ghelyxian, and it’s a fate Marrex knows he can’t change.
After a long sleep in stasis, Juniper Bo wakes to discover he’s an unwelcome guest aboard Captain Marrex’s ship. Though he tries to stay away from the surly Ghelyxian, he just doesn’t get why the curse is such a big deal—then again, Juniper knows his tastes are rather… unusual for a Human.
When friendship blooms between Marrex and Juniper, they realize they face a future that neither could have predicted in their wildest dreams.
Once upon a time, long long ago, someone gave me an illustrated copy of Beauty and the Beast as a present. The story was a retelling of a retelling: this was Deborah Apy’s version retelling the one written by Jeanne-Marie Leprince de Beaumont in 1756, which was a retelling of the original story, La Belle et la Bête written by Gabrielle-Suzanne Barbot de Villeneuve in 1740. I loved the story and the illustrations by Michael Hague really intrigued me—they were creepy and dark and fantastic. I loved his images of the horned, shaggy-albeit-well-dressed, angst-ridden Beast. Interestingly, we never get to see the miraculous transformation of the prince… The final painting in the book is of Beauty finding the Beast dying of heartbreak in his rose garden.
Years later, I would see the Disney version and, though the story isn’t all that similar to the original, I liked the comedic aspects of it. However, I was disappointed with the Beast’s transformation—call me strange, but I actually preferred him as he was.
Beauty and His Beast is a story that’s been percolating in my brain for a few years now. It’s a mashup of the original stories, the Disney version, and bit of another book that has nothing to do with Beauty and the Beast, but was my absolute favourite when I was really young: Disney’s The Black Hole: A Spaceship Adventure for Robots. This story is not dark, not very long, and not particularly serious—just my silly take on a much loved, oft-retold fairy tale… in space.
P.S. – Ghelyxian is pronounced Hell-EE-zee-an and Ghelyx, Hell-ixP.P.S. – Michael Ferraiuolo will be doing the audiobook narration Find it here at Amazon (kindle & KU): http://geni.us/BaHB
Beauty and His Beast is a short sweet love story. Marrex and Juniper are easy to like. The AI reminded me a bit of C-3PO so as you would assume, there is some lightly humorous banter. It’s about friendship and romance with a touch of fantasy and eroticism and good portion of sci-fi. If you’re looking for a charming quick read with sexy hot scenes, this is it. I wouldn’t mind seeing these guys pop up in a future book.
A Conspiracy and a miscarriage of justice turn the gentle Edmond Dantès into an implacable agent of fate: The Count of Monte Cristo . Obsessed by vengeance and empowered by providence, the Count avenges himself on whose who have wronged him – but is this justice, or is this hubris? In the end, does even the Count know? Alexandre Dumas’ skillful narrative combines intrigue, betrayal, and triumphant revenge into a powerful conflict between good and evil. Now this exciting saga, rich and diverse, takes on an entirely new life in this Manga Classics adaptation! https://www.goodreads.com/series/233923-manga-classics
On the very day of his wedding to the beautiful Mercedes, a young merchant sailor named Edmond Dantès is falsely imprisoned for life, laying to waste his plans of marriage and hard-earned fortune. Following several long years in prison he has managed to escape and reinvent himself as the mysterious Count of Monte Christo. It is the reign of Napoleon Bonaparte and the Count has been plotting his revenge on the three men who had him falsely imprisoned. With a new identity, an incredible education abroad and a vast fortune, has returned completely unrecognizable to those who had committed their crimes against him. https://www.mangaclassics.com/the-count-of-monte-cristo
Advance Praise
The Count of Monte Cristo is yet another fantastic adaptation for Manga Classics. The manga format brings excitement to this timeless classic and a new level of context for the next generation readers. Manga Classics continue to garner praise from across the spectrum from teachers, librarians, and trade publications such as Publishers Weekly, VOYA (Voice of Youth Advocates), and School Library Journal.
I am impressed with this. I love the original book, but it is very long. The story adaptors and artists did a great job of translating the original into a manga and still telling its story. They even included portions at the end explaining some changes and information about real locations within the story and the characters. I loved the artwork and the whole idea of making a classic into a manga. This was an enjoyable experience for me.
No one lays open the heart and soul quite like New York Times bestselling author Mia Sheridan in this heart-wrenching love story about destiny, second chances, and the healing power of love set in the beautiful countryside in France.
Named on of the “Best Romance Books of 2018” by BookBub!
The moment she met Callen Hayes, eleven-year-old Jessica Creswell knew he was a broken prince. Her prince. They became each other’s refuge, a safe and magical place far from their troubled lives. Until the day Callen kissed her — Jessica’s first real, dreamy kiss — and then disappeared from her life without a word.
Years later, everyone knows who Callen Hayes is. Famous composer. Infamous bad boy. What no one knows is that Callen’s music is now locked deep inside, trapped behind his own inner demons. It’s only when he withdraws to France to drink his way through the darkness that Callen stumbles into the one person who makes the music return. Jessica. His Jessie. And she still tastes of fresh, sweet innocence . . . even as she sets his blood on fire.
But they don’t belong in each other’s worlds anymore. There are too many mistakes. Too many secrets. Too many lies. All they have is that instinctive longing, that need–and something that looks dangerously like love.
Praise for More Than Words
“Sheridan explores the power of first love in a tale of childhood friends parted and reunited.” — Publisher’s Weekly
“A modern fairy tale, the well-crafted romance and beautiful French setting will take readers by surprise. Sheridan is one to watch.” — Kirkus Reviews
“Simply perfect. There is no love story like a Mia Sheridan love story. I was absolutely swept up in Callen and Jessie, and fell for them just as hard as they fell for each other. I loved it.” — A.L. Jackson, New York Times Bestselling Author
“More than Words is Mia Sheridan at her best! The story of love, heartbreak and second chances … each scene was beautifully written and paired with breathtaking imagery and epic love.” — Alessandra Torre, New York Times Bestselling Author
“Some love stories touch your soul so deeply, they stay with you long after you’ve finished reading. More Than Words by Mia Sheridan is such a story.” — Katy Regnery, New York Times Bestselling Author https://www.youtube.com/embed/STM0dWWpM3k
Jessica and Callen are easy to root for and love. They’re sweet characters with an awww love story. There are a couple of moments where I wanted to kick them, but I kept the faith that they would have their HEA. The setting is in France. Jessica’s job is translating old writings so there is an interesting side story she’s working on that’s a bonus to the main couple’s tale. I really enjoyed this and all the historical bits and descriptive scenery and sightseeing of France. More Than Words is written by one of my favorite authors, and as expected, she delivers the romance. This isn’t my favorite book from her, but I liked it and do recommend it.
“A nuanced story line perfectly in tune with our #metoo times.”—People, Book of the Week
“One of the season’s most buzzed-about thrillers.”—Bookish
“A strong choice for book clubs. Former political correspondent Vaughan makes an impressive debut with this savvy, propulsive courtroom drama.” —Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
“Vaughan offers gripping insight into a political scandal’s hidden machinations and the tension between justice and privilege…Absorbing, polished.”—Booklist (starred review)
“Skillfully interweaving the story of the unfolding scandal, Vaughan gradually reveals just how shockingly high the stakes are…Sinewy…engrossing, twist-filled.” —Publishers Weekly (starred review)
Some people’s secrets are darker than others.
Sophie’s husband James is a loving father, a handsome man, a charismatic and successful public figure. And yet he stands accused of a terrible crime. Sophie is convinced he is innocent and desperate to protect her precious family from the lies that threaten to rip them apart.
Kate is the lawyer hired to prosecute the case: an experienced professional who knows that the law is all about winning the argument. And yet Kate seeks the truth at all times. She is certain James is guilty and is determined he will pay for his crimes.
Who is right about James? Sophie or Kate? And is either of them informed by anything more than instinct and personal experience? Despite her privileged upbringing, Sophie is well aware that her beautiful life is not inviolable. She has known it since she and James were first lovers, at Oxford, and she witnessed how easily pleasure could tip into tragedy.
Most people would prefer not to try to understand what passes between a man and a woman when they are alone: alone in bed, alone in an embrace, alone in an elevator… Or alone in the moonlit courtyard of an Oxford college, where a girl once stood before a boy, heart pounding with excitement, then fear. Sophie never understood why her tutorial partner Holly left Oxford so abruptly. What would she think, if she knew the truth?
Advance Praise
This is what readers so far have been saying:
‘Anatomy of a Scandal is a compelling and cautionary story about how we can never truly know someone else; how even after twelve years of marriage, a wife might not know everything about her husband. Brilliant, shocking, and gripping, once I started, I couldn’t stop reading’ Claire Fuller, bestselling author of Our Endless Numbered Days
‘Anatomy of a Scandal is that rare book that combines great writing, spot-on characterisation and a compulsive, page-turning narrative. I read it in one breathless day. Set against a fascinating backdrop of the Houses of Parliament, the Old Bailey and Oxford University, think House of Cards meets The Secret History. Meticulously researched, this is an outstanding read’ Fiona Cummins, author of Rattle
‘A whip-smart, grown-up thriller with a hugely relevant moral question at its core’ Tammy Cohen, author of When She Was Bad
‘Anatomy of a Scandalhas bestseller written all over it. If there is any justice, it will fly to the top. It’s a fascinating insight into our justice system, and the nuances of trust and loyalty and how we re-write our actions to suit ourselves. A top-notch courtroom drama that takes the reader behind the scenes and into the lives of everyone involved in a high-profile case. Anatomy of a Scandal is masterful in its execution, teasing the audience as skilfully as a barrister playing cat and mouse with a witness. It’s whip-smart, utterly thrilling and deeply satisfying’ Veronica Henry, author of The Forever House
‘Sarah Vaughan has achieved that rare alchemy; a strong plot combined with complex characters and brilliant writing. Anatomy of a Scandal is thrilling. I came away feeling that I had read something extraordinarily good’ Emma Curtis, author of One Little Mistake
‘I enjoyed Anatomy of a Scandal very much. It’s so gripping! Adele Geras
‘I was hooked right from the start. So beautifully written, clever and compelling. I was gripped right up to the final page’ Claire Douglas, bestselling author of The Sisters and Local Girl Missing
‘I honestly could not put this book down. It’s a fabulous read’ Milly Johnson
‘Racing through this – it’s bloody amazing! So gripping. I’ve been devouring it’ Katy Regan, author of Little Big Man
‘Oh, I loved this book SO MUCH!’ Sam Humphreys, Publishing Director, Mantle, who published Room
‘Wow! It blows the bloody doors off. Shocking. Compelling. Completely brilliant’ Eve Chase, bestselling author of Black Rabbit Hall
‘A super-hot book’ Hannah Beckerman
‘Finished Anatomy of a Scandal this morning and can’t stop thinking about it. Compulsive, shocking and moving. Powerful stuff’ Frankie Gray, Editorial Director, Transworld, who published The Widow and The Couple Next Door
‘The world has gone mad for this book. I’m so excited. What an outstanding premise’ Rosie Walsh, author of Ghosted
‘Incredibly authentic, highly involving character drama here, in a story that could easily be ripped from the headlines. Sarah Vaughan delves into a world of privilege and power, showing one scandal and criminal prosecution from many angles with insightful and realistic storytelling. Emotionally resonant with often teeth gnashing inducing truths about the system, Anatomy of a Scandal is really quite incredibly addictive and will leave you with a lot to think about. Brilliant stuff. Full review at publication but very happy to be part of the early buzz here on social media – Really excellent writing, could just as easily be fact as fiction and I will have no trouble at all shoving it at everyone I know when it’s out there.’ Booklikes.com
‘The Good Wife meets The Affair – fantastic!’ @bleachhouselibrary
‘I enjoyed Anatomy of a Scandal immensely – a very elegant dissection of a very messy affair. Loved it’ Louise Candlish, author of The Swimming Pool
Anatomy of a Scandal revolves around a trial. A politician has been accused of rape by a woman who works under him. To make things more blurry, they had previously had an affair, and he’s married with children. The book is written from the points of view of the politician, his wife and the prosecuting attorney. As the story goes, you learn more about each of their backstories and how they are connected. It’s mostly an internal storyline. There’s not much action. Your inside their heads, especially the women. The deeper you get, the more you choose to judge or sympathize with the way they feel and act. I’ve seen this listed as a thriller and suspense, but I would categorize it more as drama.
This whole grim reaper thing should have come with a manual.Or a diagram of some kind.A flow chart would have been nice. Charley Davidson is a part-time private investigator and full-time grim reaper. Meaning, she sees dead people. Really. And it’s her job to convince them to “go into the light.” But when these very dead people have died under less than ideal circumstances (like murder), sometimes they want Charley to bring the bad guys to justice. Complicating matters are the intensely hot dreams she’s been having about an entity who has been following her all her life…and it turns out he might not be dead after all. In fact, he might be something else entirely. But what does he want with Charley? And why can’t she seem to resist him? And what does she have to lose by giving in? With scorching-hot tension and high-octane humor, First Grave on the Right is your signpost to paranormal suspense of the highest order. https://darynda.com/books/first-grave-on-the-right Kobo / B&N / Amazon
First Grave on the Right has a strong female lead, action, mystery, a bit of comedy and some light suspense. Charley is a grim reaper but not in the traditional way they are usually portrayed. After people die, she sometimes helps them with unfinished business and provides them a portal to the other side. There are often spirits of the deceased around. She’s friends with several. In this book, she helps cops and the murder victims solve the case of who killed them and why. There’s also a being similar to the ones she sees daily but very different. She’s majorly attracted to him so she must figure out if he is he dead or alive and who or what he is. Charley is one of a kind. She can’t stay away from trouble, but she never lets that keep her down. I enjoyed following along. The side characters and interactions were fun. I plan to continue the series.
Burdened by family secrets, this cowboy rides alone
For twenty-five years, the case of the McGraw twins kidnapping has remained unsolved. As the eldest son, Cull oversees the McGraw horse ranch, wary of prying eyes. So when true-crime writer Nikki St. James comes forward with new information, Cull can’t believe his father invites her onto the compound. His family has suffered enough—he’s not about to let St. James snoop and ruin them completely. But Nikki finds the eldest McGraw’s protectiveness as endearing as it is aggravating. After all, this case is personal to her, too… And her secrets can set the truth free—if they don’t destroy the McGraws first.
Dark Horse is the first book in Whitehorse, Montana: The McGraw Kidnapping series. Each installment is about a McGraw brother finding romance. Dark Horse is Cull’s account. He’s the oldest and isn’t looking for the attraction he feels for Nikki. For me, the romance is just a bit of side narrative. The main focus is the puzzle of the kidnapping and possible murder of the two youngest siblings which happened 25 years ago. Nikki is a true crime writer. She is known for helping to solve old mysteries while doing research to write her novels. I’m crazy about Nikki and really enjoyed following her investigation. She’s very likeable, and there are some eerie and exciting occurrences along the way. This is an interesting whodunit, and it left me wanting to continue to find out what’s next for the McGraw family.
***copy given in exchange for an honest review*** FGMAMTC
Chase Payne is a walking contradiction. He’s the most powerful psychic in the Community, but the least respected. He’s the son of the Community’s founder, but with his tattoo sleeves and abrasive attitude, he’s nothing like his charismatic family. No one knows what to make of him, which is how he wound up locked in a cell on the Farm yet again. But this time, the only man he’s ever loved is there too.
Elijah Estrella was used to being the sassy sidekick who fooled around with Chase for fun. But that was before he realized the Community wasn’t the haven he’d believed in and Chase was the only person who’d ever truly tried to protect him. Now they’re surrounded by people who want to turn them against their friends, and the only way out is to pretend the brainwashing works.
With Chase playing the role of a tyrant’s second-in-command, and Elijah acting like Chase’s mindless sex toy, they risk everything by plotting a daring escape. In the end, it’s only their psychic abilities, fueled by their growing love for each other, that will allow them to take the Community down once and for all.
What lies beneath the surface of the world you thought you knew?
Secrets and lies have twisted an underground community founded by psychics escaping persecution. Blackmail, sex, and social climbing in the name of power has created an irreparable rift.
In the eyes of the founders, there are two sides: loyalists and everyone else. Surely no one would emerge from their tightly woven webs. And they certainly wouldn’t sow the seeds of rebellion within the heart of the Community’s only queer night club.
Now an outcast, a scion, and a runaway are leading a revolution to save not only the men they love, but the entire Community.
Santino Hassell was raised by a conservative family but grew up to be a smart-mouthed, school cutting grunge kid, a transient twenty-something, and eventually transformed into a grumpy introvert and unlikely romance author with an affinity for baseball caps. His novels are heavily influenced by the gritty, urban landscape of New York City, and his desire to write relationships fueled by intensity and passion.
He’s been a finalist in both the Bisexual Book Awards and the EPIC Awards, and was nominated for a prestigious RITA award in 2017. His work has been featured in BuzzFeed, Huffington Post, Washington Post, RT Magazine, and Cosmopolitan Magazine.
To celebrate the release of Sightlines, one lucky winner will receive a $15 Riptide credit! Leave a comment with your contact info to enter the contest. Entries close at midnight, Eastern time, on October 14, 2017. Contest is NOT restricted to U.S. entries. Thanks for followingthe tour, and don’t forget to leave your contact info!
I’ve wondered how powerful Chase truly is so I was excited about his story. His abilities are definitely all that, but actually, his vulnerability is at least as attractive. He’s been starved for affection for so long. It’s astonishing that he became such a great man. As much as this is a high-action battle between the good and bad sides of the psy community, it’s a love story between Chase and Elijah. Both have been through enough pain for a lifetime. Their resilience is amazing. Chase has some stunning displays of his psy talent in this book. I love that he uses it for protection and not to lord over everyone else. If you want action or romance, Sightlines delivers. It is a fitting ending to the series, but I can also see how more books might be added some day.
***copy given in exchange for an honest review*** FGMAMTC
For the Owens family, love is a curse that began in 1620, when Maria Owens was charged with witchery for loving the wrong man.
Hundreds of years later, in New York City at the cusp of the sixties, when the whole world is about to change, Susanna Owens knows that her three children are dangerously unique. Difficult Franny, with skin as pale as milk and blood red hair, shy and beautiful Jet, who can read other people’s thoughts, and charismatic Vincent, who began looking for trouble on the day he could walk.
From the start Susanna sets down rules for her children: No walking in the moonlight, no red shoes, no wearing black, no cats, no crows, no candles, no books about magic. And most importantly, never, ever, fall in love. But when her children visit their Aunt Isabelle, in the small Massachusetts town where the Owens family has been blamed for everything that has ever gone wrong, they uncover family secrets and begin to understand the truth of who they are. Back in New York City each begins a risky journey as they try to escape the family curse.
The Owens children cannot escape love even if they try, just as they cannot escape the pains of the human heart. The two beautiful sisters will grow up to be the revered, and sometimes feared, aunts in Practical Magic, while Vincent, their beloved brother, will leave an unexpected legacy.
The Rules of Magic is a family saga about the Owens. Siblings Franny, Jet and Vincent are the main focus, but many well-developed characters fill the story. It follows the siblings from childhood through old age. It also goes back to explain how the love curse started with their ancestors during the Salem witch trials. The reader journeys with Franny, Jet and Vincent as they study their history, learn their abilities and face hardships and tough decisions. The writing is beautiful and easily brought the emotions out. The plot is rich with historical events and in-depth multilayered characters. I feel like I actually know these people and love them. I’m a little sad that my time with them ended.
***copy given in exchange for an honest review*** FGMAMTC
At age fourteen, Zelda Rossi witnessed the unthinkable, and has spent the last ten years hardening her heart against the guilt and grief. She channels her pain into her art: a dystopian graphic novel where vigilantes travel back in time to stop heinous crimes—like child abduction—before they happen. Zelda pitches her graphic novel to several big-time comic book publishers in New York City, only to have her hopes crash and burn. Circumstances leave her stranded in an unfamiliar city, and in an embarrassing moment of weakness, she meets a guarded young man with a past he’d do anything to change…
Beckett Copeland spent two years in prison for armed robbery, and is now struggling to keep his head above water. A bike messenger by day, he speeds around New York City, riding fast and hard but going nowhere, his criminal record holding him back almost as much as the guilt of his crime.
Zelda and Beckett form a grudging alliance of survival, and in between their stubborn clash of wills, they slowly begin to provide each other with the warmth of forgiveness, healing, and maybe even love. But when Zelda and Beckett come face to face with their pasts, they must choose to hold on to the guilt and regret that bind them, or let go and open their hearts for a shot at happiness.
The Butterfly Project is a novel that reveals the power of forgiveness, and how even the smallest decisions of the heart can—like the flutter of a butterfly’s wings—create currents that strengthen into gale winds, altering the course of a life forever.
Zelda and Beckett have painful pasts. Both are struggling every moment with the emotional baggage. The author does an excellent job of putting the reader in their shoes. I easily understood their actions and feelings. I love these characters and how they don’t play romance games. I suppose because they have seen firsthand how real consequences can be, they take life seriously. Both characters are sort of stuck and having trouble moving forward. They help to bring each other around to a better place. I definitely recommend The Butterfly Project. It’s entertaining, but it also leaves you thinking. It’s not a book that you can just finish and forget. The occasional drawings are a bonus that really adds to the storyline.
***copy given in exchange for an honest review*** FGMAMTC
Xander Fairchild can’t stand people in general and frat boys in particular, so when he’s forced to spend his summer working on his senior project with Skylar Stone, a silver-tongued Delta Sig with a trust fund who wants to make Xander over into a shiny new image, Xander is determined to resist. He came to idyllic, Japanese culture-soaked Benten College to hide and make manga, not to be transformed into a corporate clone in the eleventh hour.
Skylar’s life has been laid out for him since before he was born, but all it takes is one look at Xander’s artwork, and the veneer around him begins to crack. Xander himself does plenty of damage too. There’s something about the antisocial artist’s refusal to yield that forces Skylar to acknowledge how much his own orchestrated future is killing him slowly…as is the truth about his gray-spectrum sexuality, which he hasn’t dared to speak aloud, even to himself.
Through a summer of art and friendship, Xander and Skylar learn more about each other, themselves, and their feelings for one another. But as their senior year begins, they must decide if they will part ways and return to the dull futures they had planned, or if they will take a risk and leap into a brightly colored future—together.
keywords
asexual graysexual demisexual new adult New York Artist Manga Painting Anime Gay romance Japan College-set romance Seven gods of fortune Community Self-discovery contemporary romance misanthrope no graphic sexual content slow-burn romance swooning romance snuggly romance difficult parents highly romantic
Heidi Cullinan has always enjoyed a good love story, provided it has a happy ending. Proud to be from the first Midwestern state with full marriage equality, Heidi is a vocal advocate for LGBT rights. She writes positive-outcome romances for LGBT characters struggling against insurmountable odds because she believes there’s no such thing as too much happy ever after. When Heidi isn’t writing, she enjoys playing with new recipes, reading romance and manga, playing with her cats, and watching too much anime. Find out more about Heidi at heidicullinan.com.
Praise for Heidi Cullinan
Heartwarming and achingly beautiful —USA Today
Emotionally heartwrenching…with self-deprecating humor. — Romantic Times
Cullinan balances … love-conquers-all romance in a context full of real contemporary challenges. — Publisher’s Weekly
I fell in love with the sheer beauty of the writing. — Dear Author
Cullinan reached inside and pulled out ALL the feelings: fear, guilt, sadness, anticipation, happiness, love, lust, bitterness, loneliness, togetherness, and coming of age. — The Book Pushers
This is a romance between two guys in college trying to figure out who they are and what their future will be. Both have issues with their parents and struggle with career choices. Both guys are virgins. One isn’t sure what his sexuality is and doesn’t quite want to label it for certain. It doesn’t contain actual sex, but there are some really erotic moments. One is an artist so some fun with art comes into play. Mostly this is about a diverse group of friends supporting each other and enjoying mutual loves like manga and anything Japanese. Antisocial is a sweet romance with lots of openness and diversity. I’d like to see it turned into an anime.
***copy given in exchange for an honest review*** FGMAMTC
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