Redemption

Redemption by Cara Carnes

Mira grew up in a savage tract of existence known as Hell’s Highway—a parcel of land for genetically impure humans (Impures) cast out during a savage battle between humanity’s government (the NAH) and the Paraspecies. When a cease fire was declared, the two opposing sides retreated and regrouped, but the fight for survival had just begun for Impures forced to exist within a kill or be prey existence.
As a runner for The Alliance, Mira ran messages and provisions back and forth between her camp and Redemption—a bartering outpost created by the Paraspecies to help Impures within Hell’s Highway. But for the past two years Mira has been a prisoner of war, detained and tortured in an unsanctioned NAH facility within the lawless lands of Hell’s Playground. Now free, she must risk her life to fulfill a promise made to a fellow prisoner—travel to Redemption and enlist the aid of the Paraspecies. Returning to the outpost, though, means reuniting with the Alpha wolf she’d once hoped to have a future with.
As Quadrant Alpha of the most dangerous section of Paraspecies land, the last thing Adrik needs is the Impure from his past suddenly returning. He ripped apart Hell’s Highway searching for her two years ago, and his pack reaped the consequences. Now, with a civil war threatening on his southern border, the constant battles with the succubae on his eastern border, and the latest political nightmare from Command Central he doesn’t have time to wander Hell’s Playground searching for a secret facility that doesn't exist.
But the opportunity to spend time with the Impure he’d once intended to mate proves too tempting. Together they must heal the wounds and find a way to survive the dangers awakened.

Redemption featured some complex world building and a multitude of characters.  I was glad of the glossary at the beginning that once bookmarked, I was able to refer back to. There was plenty of action, with lots happening and a good focus on the plot. Also the many differing paranormal species present in the story gives lots of scope for interesting future books.  This would be an excellent story for all those who like paranormal, not just of the shifter variety.

Phoenix Crossing

Phoenix Crossing By Cara Carnes

She’ll commit the ultimate betrayal to save those she loves….
Xandra was forged in the fires of heaven’s nemesis and sharpened by humanity’s executioners. As a child, she failed to protect her little sister. With Riles located, Xandra will do anything to save her—even if it means committing the ultimate crime. Forced into a perilous situation, she’s drawn to the Alpha wolf shadowing her every move. Trust comes with a high price—one she’s paid too many times to count. But the sexy man her inner beasts desire refuses to give up.
The half-phoenix, half-angel was an assignment at first, a potential threat to the campus pack Lane had assumed leadership of. The longer he follows her, the more his wolf is drawn to protect her. Frustrated with her inability to trust him and his pack, he’ll do anything to keep her safe. Claiming the curvaceous hellion would be simple, but he’s determined to win the trust of the warrior beasts within her.

This was a follow on book in the series, taking place just shortly after Phoenix Rising.  It was well written and fast paced.  Complete with captivating strong characters.  Whilst I had not read the previous in the series, I was able to follow this story all right.  I will however be going back to read Phoenix Rising now.

Diving for pearls

Diving For Pearls by Melissa Storm

She saved her daughter’s life. 

Now she must save her soul.

Although Elizabeth died giving birth to her daughter, her death wasn’t the end. She awakens to find her sacrifice has transformed her into a special kind of angel a protector and if she is able to help her charge through the Pearly Gates, she too will be welcomed into Heaven.

Elizabeth is both heartbroken and overjoyed when she finds she’ll be watching over Daisy, the daughter she never got to meet. She’d like nothing more than to live with her little girl in paradise, and being a guardian is hard work. Will Elizabeth be reunited with her daughter, or forced to suffer in silence as she watches Daisy make mistakes that place her just out of Heaven’s reach?

This tale of sacrifice, redemption, and unyielding love is for anyone who believes in angels or is looking for a reason to believe.

This was a very short read, no more than 20 min. Essentially it was the first chapter in the Pearls Makers story, introducing the characters and setting the scene.  It has the potential to be real tear jerker.

Love Beyond Expectations

Love Beyond Expectations

by Rebecca Royce

Christophe Roux has always known he was different. Born to a wealthy French family, he has never told anyone that he is frequently thrown through time and space to visit with ghosts and other terrifying creatures. But now he knows he is an Outsider and moreover that he has a soul mate somewhere out in the world waiting for him. When his brother is taken, he heads to Maine to search for help, never expecting that his love is the woman he has lusted after for years.

Ruby Brannon lived her childhood on the run and her adulthood trying to make sense of the strange things that happen to her. Now, she's with the Outsiders but she is still unsure if she'll be able to step up when it's her turn to fight the evil seeking to destroy them all.

Together, Ruby and Christophe will change the fates of the Outsiders. Or die trying.

Book 5 of the Outsiders series sees a corporeal Sebastian attacking the island directly whilst Christophe not only finally finds Leonardo but meets up with his solemate Ruby.  In this book several more of the Outsiders are also introduced and have started to be woven into the plot. With all the setbacks that are presented to the Outsiders, it is nuclear how they will overcome Sebastian in his corporeal form. Ms Royce continues to be able to write a romantic tale whilst managing to engrosse the reader with a beautifully crafted back story. Roll on Love Beyond Oceans.

Love Beyond Sight

Love Beyond Sight

by Rebecca Royce

When Eden Roan awoke in a mental hospital, she was nearly discovered by a demon, but a comforting voice in her mind offered safety. The voice told her she was his but that they could never, ever meet. Now, Eden is more and more convinced that the voice is just her imagination. It can't possibly be her destined soul mate. Or can it?

Samuel Quinn, damaged by the demon when he was child, doesn't want Eden to see the real him. Luckily, his powers allow him to hide using others' features as his own. But when Eden needs him, Samuel will have to step forward to save her even if it means showing the real him. Can there be love without sight? Or will the demon finally have them all just where he wants them?

What a wonderful continuation of the battle between the Outsiders and the evil Sebastian.  In this the fourth of the series, another two Outsiders find each other and form their soul mate bond.  Along with the action, there are twists and the evil Sebastian seems unstoppable.  Yet another fantastic read, Rebecca you continue to develop an unputdownable story.

Rebecca's books are available on Amazon, Google Play and ibooks

Love Beyond Loyalty by Rebecca Royce

The Outsiders: Book 3

Gabriel Ward has no problem with the fact that he's an Outsider. Hell, he's always known he was different. What he takes issue with is the idea that he has to follow any destiny at all. He's always taken care of himself, and there's no way he's going to start following rules now.

Loraine Peacock can speak to animals. Other than that, she thinks she's just a regular woman making her way in the world. She figures it's not that weird. Many people have unusual abilities.

But when Gabriel and Loraine are forced together by the very destiny he denies, they will both have to accept their legacy and join the Outsiders in their quest to defeat the ultimate evil. That is, if they can survive long enough to find their way to their most important destiny of all: love.

This series is developing into one of those that the only key annoyance is how long to wait for the next one.  I started to read this as soon as putting down the previous.  Yet again the tale focuses on two of the 18 outsiders as they find themselves thrown together and having to come to terms with the fact that they are part of a bigger destiny.

Exciting twist in the plot as new elements and players are introduced in this book and I am eager to see how they play out in the next installments.  Also with the growing number of Outsiders that are coming together it will be interesting to see how the ‘family’ dynamics change.

Love Beyond Sanity by Rececca Royce

The Outsiders : Book 2

Eighteen years earlier, Charma lost her destined soul mate. Convinced he must be dead, she's kept her fears to herself so as not to destroy the morale of the Outsiders who already live with a shaky prophecy as their only guide.

Dr. Jason Randall is a man used to getting what he wants. There has never been a problem he couldn't out-think or a situation he wasn't capable of handling, until his life changes in ways he could never imagine.

Now they are being hunted by not one but two demons while they strive to lead the slowly growing group of Outsiders out of the darkness and back into the light. The two strong souls will have to decide if prophecy alone is enough reason to stay together through insane odds--or if love is their true fate.

The continuation of the Outsider saga.  This book focuses on another two of the Outsider group whilst continuing the progression of the plot to balance good and evil.  I enjoyed each book as it is a complete story of the two main characters whilst still including those from the previous book.  Despite each book being a tale focused on primarily two characters, the background to the main plot is explained in this book so it would allow the reader to understand most of what is going on if they had not read book one first.  However for the best enjoyment I would recommend reading book one first (Love Beyond Time).

Love Beyond Time by Rebecca Royce

This was the first book I read from this author. It was given to me as an Advance Reader Copy (ARC) along with the next two in the series and I was so glad of that, as I read them back to back without a break.  There are not many books that have captured my imagination that well.

The first in The Outsiders Series

Born one half of a perfect pair, Kal has spent his life believing his other half is gone. But when fate thrusts Isabelle into his arms, he will have no choice but to become the man he was destined to be. That is, if he can battle his own demons first.

Not willing to accept her heritage as an Outsider, Isabelle tries to hide from the truth. But when Kal's life is on the line, she will have to step forward and embrace her powers or watch everything she has come to love disappear.

This was a wonderful start to the series.  A Paranormal romance where the balance of good and evil is out of kilter and through destiny the Outsiders have to restore that balance.

There is good depth to the key characters and introductions to side characters that hopefully will develop in the next books.  With plenty of action and twists to the plot it is makes for a book that is completely unputdownable.  

Find out about other books by Rebecca Royce at her web site.