Claimed

Synopsis from Amazon (I removed a little bit because I thought they were spoliers!!):

Career woman Jessica Tandy, has a rest stop in a tiny town called Alma, in the Alaska Range. Coming back from the ‘camping trip from hell’, with a cold and obnoxious boyfriend; she meets Flint Riverclaw, a Native Alaskan. The handsome stranger sees she’s unwell with her diabetes and insists on shouting her food and drink. 

He offers to take her to Anchorage, since her boyfriend who’s driving, has been drinking beer. Jessica accepts and the two continue to become acquainted, during the journey. Flint’s strong build, handsome features and kindness wins her over, so much so, she invites him into her hotel room.

The next morning, she tiptoes out when he’s still asleep, to catch her flight back to Seattle. However, she can’t get the man out of her mind as her body won’t stop shaking. She’s shocked three days later when out of the blue, Flint shows up at her apartment to tell her two things….

My Review:

Like most novella’s this story was simply too short. This story reminded me so much of my favorite vampire series by Lynsay Sands, which if you haven’t read they are simply amazing. Claimed is told in the POV of a 29 year old Jessica Tandy who has a bad habit of dating the wrong guys, and is left stranded with Flint, a sexy man she was instantly attracted too! I liked Flint the minute he was introduced because he was worried about Jessica’s safety and made sure she ate and drank some OJ. While I knew what the story was basically going to be about before they left the bar, I still finished and I am glad I did.

Claimed is a quick and easy read (103 pages) that readers who enjoy paranormal romance would love to read. There are moments in the story where you want to laugh or you feel sad for what can no longer happen. I feel that this could have easily been a novel or miniseries with Jessica and Flint. I’m a sucker for romance and wish I could read about the couple’s lives forever. J Well I have researched this series and found out that there are others, I am not sure if there are others about Flint and Jessica.

My rating for this story is 4 stars!

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Claimed-The-Circulate-Series-ebook/dp/B0054H1I7S/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1372080188&sr=8-1&keywords=claimed

Barnes and Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/claimed-a-novella-k-r-smith/1112414668?ean=2940011274824

Gabriel's Inferno by Sylvain Reynard

Gabriel's Inferno 

by Sylvain Reynard

                                              Publication Date: July 31, 2012

Book Description: (taken from amazon)

Enigmatic and sexy, Professor Gabriel Emerson is a well-respected Dante specialist by day, but by night he devotes himself to an uninhibited life of pleasure. He uses his notorious good looks and sophisticated charm to gratify his every whim, but is secretly tortured by his dark past and consumed by the profound belief that he is beyond all hope of redemption. 

When the sweet and innocent Julia Mitchell enrolls as his graduate student, his attraction and mysterious connection to her not only jeopardizes his career, but sends him on a journey in which his past and his present collide. 

An intriguing and sinful exploration of seduction, forbidden love, and redemption, Gabriel’s Inferno is a captivating and wildly passionate tale of one man’s escape from his own personal hell as he tries to earn the impossible—forgiveness and love.

                                                                         My Review:

I started this book because my book club was reading it so therefore I read it. At the beginning of this book needed something to make it pop. It starts making you think why did you read this book? It all starts out with Julia who is a graduate student taking Professor Gabriel's class. Then you learn that Julia and Gabriel have a history, one where Gabriel thought it was all but a dream. There is so much intensity between these too is electrify and intriguing.  When I got almost 200 pages into this book I wanted to stop because it wasn't interesting, but when you get that far into a book you think you have already dedicated a lot of time into this book you might as well finish it. Then when it was finally leading up to the "big" sex scene it was really disappointing. I am still debating rather or not I want to read the sequel.  

Stars:

3.5 out of 5

Links:

 Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/Gabriels-Inferno-ebook/dp/B008R25E0Y/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1370719290&sr=1-3&keywords=gabriel+inferno

B&N

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/gabriels-inferno-sylvain-reynard/1030883910?ean=9780425265963

The Right Wrong Number: Barbara Delinsky

Synopsis from Amazon:

In this 30-page short story by bestselling author Barbara Delinsky, Carly Kelly has just been presented with a life-changing business opportunity for tiny nursery and flower store, Plant People. But she only has four days to decide, which means she will most likely have to cancel her weekend trip away. She dials her friends to let them know, and excitedly launches into a speech about the opportunity. But when she pauses, a sexy, inquisitive stranger is on the other end, and he’s eager to hear about her store, her passions and her life. She’s dialed the wrong number--- and the man on the other end, with his deep voice, his charming jokes and his excellent advice, is a surprise she never expected…

Will this wrong number turn out to be right man for Carly?  

My review:

This short story is a great fast read that any reader could enjoy while waiting for a simple doctor’s appointment. In a quick moment, Carly made a call that might change her life, I mean what women wouldn’t love the sound of a deep sexy voice belonging to a man. I know that I wouldn’t complain. The Right Wrong Number describes the struggles that Carly must face in order to hear from this mystery sexy man once again. This short story was an easy read and could be finished in one setting. From the work introduced in this short story I would read more work created by Barbara Delinsky any day. The Kindle version of this story also includes a preview to Sweet Salt Air. The only thing negative about this story is the length; I feel that this would have been an incredible romance novel if only Barbara decided to go on with their relationship. My rating 3 ½ stars!

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/The-Right-Wrong-Number-ebook/dp/B00B8SAI3M/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1370360476&sr=8-1&keywords=the+right+wrong+number

B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-right-wrong-number-barbara-delinsky/1114995514?ean=9781466834637

LA"S FREE Contest!!!

FREE CONTEST!!!!

(posting for a really great aithor and a friend. 

Nowadays it is not uncommon to see many products with book covers or phrases from book series being featured. Many indie authors such as Lizzy Ford has developed this in products such as bookmarks. 

I figured that this would be a great thing to try but rather than design everything myself I will give my fellow Aradians a chance to submit designs and things. You can also submit an idea for what kind of product you want your design to appear on. Anything from a t-shirt to a tote bag to even a bumper sticker.

There is only one catch: you must submit your design to my email address at

Lajonestheauthor@gmail.com.

If they meet with both my and my editor Harrison R. Bradlow's approval then we will use them.

Keep in mind you can suggest what type of product you want it to be used on.

Don't worry if we approve you will get a percentage of the products sales and we will acknowledge your name with design. You can even give it your own personal signature.

The contest will last until next year the sixth book comes out. So either way, everybody wins.

Good luck my fellow Aradians.

The designs are things you can come up with on your own. The same with the products but here are some examples of the products you can choose:

Unite Our Souls

Unite Our Souls

Rachel Carrington

Synopsis from amazon.com:

A sexy Angel of Death had to tell me I was dead. But he wasn’t there to offer comfort. He was there to take me to the other side. Wherever that is. I wasn’t ready to go, though. My nephew, Joey, needed my bone marrow if he was going to survive, but I wasn’t sure how I was going to give it to him now that I was dead.

Grayson, the angel, told me he’d help but then I’d have to cross over. I certainly didn’t expect to fall for the one being that intended to hustle me across the mortal realm. I don’t think he expected to fall, either. You’d think that would be difficult enough, but the real trouble began when I discovered his ‘help’ came at a price…or a punishment, rather. He’d broken a rule, and for that, he would suffer if I couldn’t stop it.

So here I am in love with the Angel of Death, trying to save my nephew’s life, and wondering what exactly happens on this other side Grayson talks about. And learning more and more that I didn’t want to leave my angel any more than I wanted to stay dead. Sometimes, though, life just doesn’t give you choices..

My review:

It is hard for me to pick my favorite couple from this series, because they are all such great stories. I was really surprised while reading this because the ending was different from the other two Rachel Carrington novella’s that I have read previously. While the other two stories were about revenge and a love-hate relationship, this book contained much love between family members with a side of passion between the Angel and the spirit, in this case Erica. I sat down tonight to start this book after a long busy week and I loved every page. I really hope that Rachel Carrington will bring back each couple and give more of their story to her readers. I would read any work published by Rachel Carrington and recommend it to any reader. My rating for this novella is 4 out of 5 stars. Go 1-click your way into this book, you will not regret it!

Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/Unite-Souls-Spirit-Series-ebook/dp/B005NAT64S

Barnes&Nobles:

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/unite-our-souls-rachel-carrington/1105450265?ean=2940011521546

Mine to Take

Mine to Take

Rachel Carrington

Synopsis from Amazon:

I didn't ordinarily break the rules, but everyone has bad days, right? I mean, as an Angel of Death, I always toed the party line. That is until one night when I was feeling particularly vulnerable and along came Dominic. He’s another AOD, but don’t think of him as an angel because really, he’s anything but. To me, he was more like a walking advertisement for sin.

So that night, Dominic and I broke a cardinal rule—no fraternization between Angels of Death. Don’t ask me why it’s a rule. I guess that was why Dominic hauled ass before I even woke up the next morning. As an AOD, I understood. As a woman, I was pissed. 

So fast forward two months, and both Dominic and I are facing disciplinary punishment if we don’t figure out how to put our differences aside and work together. Unfortunately, I’ve never been one to let go of a grudge very easily, and when it seemed like Dominic had no issues about what he did, my anger grew by leaps and bounds.

An argument generated more heat than Chernobyl, and once again, Dominic and I delved into the disallowed. And while we were busy getting busy, we lost a soul in a horrifying way. Now, we’ve been given an ultimatum. Find the soul and help her cross over, or both Dominic and I will have to cross over ourselves. As in permanently.

My review:

Rachel Carrington has done it again! The first chapter had me laughing (on the inside because I started reading this novella in a library), and Dominic had me thinking of other male dominant personalities in some of my other favorite books. I was so irritated for most of the book because you knew Dominic knew something was up and just wouldn't tell Cleo. The relationship within Mine to Take is one that is actually real. You felt compassion for the spirits within this novella as well as the two Angels of Death. It is really hard for me to decide which one is my favorite so far: Share Your Soul and Mine to Take. I LOVE them both. I sat down and started reading this novella and finished an hour and a half later. You will not want to put this story down. I would recommend this to any reader interested in supernatural beings. My rating is 4 stars, and I will be picking up another novella to this series as soon as possible.

Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/Mine-Take-Spirit-Series-ebook/dp/B006M6Y6UG

Barnes & Nobles:

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/mine-to-take-rachel-carrington/1108007760?ean=2940032940753

Share Your Soul

Share Your Soul

Rachel Carrington

Synopsis from Amazon:

On the fifth anniversary of my murder, I took action against inaction. I set out to find what I wanted the most—revenge. Others warned me that the whole project could be risky, but getting even with my killer husband seemed worth the danger. Turned out, I made an appointment with the Angel of Death. Perfect.

I've always had a weak spot for bad-boy, rocker types but Gabriel the bad-boy angel surpassed my fantasies. He looked like Bon Jovi in his long hair days, which destroyed my ability to concentrate. Plus, he claimed he could help me only if I trusted him. The last man I put my faith in shot a bullet through my heart. How the heck could I trust the Angel of Death?

So anyway, I told Gabriel that I needed retribution before I could move on. He granted me three days in a mortal body to gain closure. Great offer except for one thing—my dear husband had already been found not guilty so he couldn't be tried again. No hope of ever putting him behind bars…at least not for shooting me. I also had no idea where the loser had dumped my body. How was I supposed to get vengeance?

After that, things got really complicated. I had to find dirt on my jerk of a husband while placing my faith in the Angel of Death and ignoring the forbidden things he did to my phantom heart and loaner body. Yeah, the whole situation sounded weird to me, too, but what was a misplaced spirit to do except roll with it?

My Review:

While I feel that the feelings between Gabriel and Olivia grew extremely fast, I enjoyed the story that Rachel Carrington creates for her readers. From the beginning, I had hoped for the outcome of the end and was glad that I was close to what really happened. The plot of the story is not overused like vampires falling in love with humans have been lately, and was interested through the whole story. I also read this novella within two sittings, before and after work never really wanting to stop. The only downfall for this story is that it is only a novella, and I hope that Rachel Carrington will one day go into their future. I am not sure what the other novellas in the series are about, but I am hoping Olivia and Gabriel will at least be mentioned within the next story. Share Your Soul was an easy read, and I would recommend to others. My rating for this book is 4 stars. 

Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/Share-Your-Spirit-Series-ebook/dp/B004LB50GI

Barnes & Nobles:

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/share-your-soul-rachel-carrington/1029746424?ean=2940011183645