Fire Raiser by Melanie Rawn

Black magic, rituals, and everyday life in a small town set the tone for this excellent paranormal fantasy.

Evan Lachlan and his wife Holly McClure, a witch, have moved from Manhattan to her hometown in Virginia to raise their young children. The town is known for having the most witches in one place in the entire country. Most of the oldest families’ business is witchcraft. Holly is a spellbinder, and appreciates that Evan has opened his mind to the magic in her family.

Evan is the county sheriff, and is investigating a series of arsons in the area. Someone is burning down churches and using magic to activate the trigger. Evan suspects it may have something to do with the new owners of the Westmoreland plantation. It has been recently renovated and opened into an upscale inn.

Looking for proof, Evan and Holly attend a fund raiser at the plantation. Not long after their arrival, they are left gasping at the magic that fills the air. Using magic, Holly’s cousin Cam finds a doorway not visible to the human eye and they all rush into the room. But unfortunately, there is no exit out and something sinister and dark is on the other side.

An action-packed thrilling fantasy bursting at the seams with magic, FIRE RAISER is a bewitching tale. Melanie Rawn draws the reader in from page one and doesn’t let go until the final climax. Fantasy and paranormal lovers alike will enjoy FIRE RAISER. I certainly did!

More Than Fiends by Maureen Child

Cassidy Burke's thirty-second birthday isn't going how she planned. She's been raising her daughter alone since she was sixteen. She never told Logan he was the father, because when she went to tell him, he introduced her to his fiance. She's been running a cleaning business for years, and it seems to be flourishing. She's trying to get a new account downtown, a club that caters to sexual fantasies and a clientele that is more than human.

When an elderly lady makes herself at home in Cassie's house, she is annoyed. That is until Jasmine explains to Cassie she is the new demon duster. It seems every female in her family becomes the "one" when they reach their thirty-second birthday, and Cassie's grandmother never got around to telling Cassie.

To make matters worse, Logan shows back up in town. He's angry Cassie never told him about their daughter, but he wants Cassie back in his life. However, Cassie is dating the sexy club owner, Devin Cole.

Cassie would much rather be shopping for a new Coach purse or eating chocolate than dusting demons. But when the head demon honcho sets his sights on Cassie's daughter, all hell breaks loose.

This is a hysterical tale! Witty prose and an unlikely heroine. If your looking for a standard paranormal romance, this isn't it. The love triangle between Cassie, Logan, and Devlin will leave you in stitches. Cassie is open and honest with her thoughts and feelings that is refreshing. I look forward to the next in the series, just so I can see whom Cassie chooses, Logan or Devlin, and what shenanigans she gets into next. Highly recommend for light and humorous entertainment!

Friday Fill-Ins #114

And...here we go!

1. Giving hubby a backrub was my last random act of kindness.

2. Another place another time.

3. Passion is a big emotion in matters of the heart.

4. Coffee, tea or soda.

5. Joni and Chachi have went their separate paths. (Happy Days ?)

6. Our bank account reminds me that there is a recession going on.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to watching ER, tomorrow my plans include working and Sunday, I want to relax!

Upcoming Events

MARCH

Purex Review  see link for giveaway?
Litfuse Tour - Lazarus Awakening - Date to be determined

3/20 Spinning by Michael Baron - See email about giveaway from lou aronica
3/22 Crimson Wind by Diana Pharaoh Francis (RJ)
3/28 SEMI-SWEET: A novel of Love and Cupcakes by Roisin Meaney Review/Giveaway
3/30 Bone Gods by Caitlin Kittredge (RJ)

APRIL
Fool For Books Hop April 1-2 
Beside Still Waters - Litfuse Blog tour
Liquid Fear Fool's Gold Rush - see email Scott Nicholson
4/2 The Unfinished Song Review by Tara Maya
4/7 Interview with Ann Summerville   (High Tide)
4/12 Eternal Rider Tour w/ Giveaway
The Return of Black Douglas by Elaine Coffman
Cowboy Fever by Joanne Kennedy
Breathless by Scott Prussing
In Zanesville (will email if can do giveaway)
Those Who Fight Monsters: Tales of Occult Detectives
Silver Smoke by Monica Leonelle
Trash Talk - It's Easy To Be Green Vol 1
First Grave on the Right by Darynda Jones (RJ)
Strong at the Break by Jon Land Review
Now You See Her by Joy Fielding
Nerve Review (Anna will email if can do giveaway)
Demons are a Girl's Best Friend by Linda Wisdom
Hoppy Easter Eggstravaganza Blog Hop  April 20th to 25th




MAY
The Midwife's Confession by Diane Chamberlain
The Legend of Michael by Lisa Renee Jones
The Atomic Weight of Secrets or The Arrival of the Mysterious Men in Black
Love Drunk Cowboy by Carolyn Brown
5/4 DEAD OF WYNTER by Spencer Seidel
5/6 Guest Post Spencer Seidel & Giveaway

Book Review Policy

Thanks for considering Wendy's Minding Spot to review your book.  I'm usually interested in most genres, with the exception of horror, science fiction (I like fantasy), and how-to's.

I would love to host a guest post, interview, giveaway or tour.  My review turn around time is usually 3-4 weeks.  You can also email me @ wendyhines@hotmail.com

Awards

This post is for awards.

Reviews

This post is for reviews.

Giveaways

The Highlander's Sword by Amanda Forester (2 Winners) - ends March 7
Cowboy Trouble by Joanne Kennedy ARC (1 Winner)- ends March 10

Pride (Werecats, Book 3) by Rachel Vincent

Book 3 opens with Faythe being on trial for the murder of her ex-boyfriend. She killed him in self-defense, but the council believes she did it to cover up the fact that she accidently made him into a stray. Faythe has the unbelievable ability to partially shift and her teeth had nipped him on the ear in a passionate moment. Now her fate is in the council's hands and a few of them are asking for her execution!

They've rented an area with some rugged cabins for complete privacy, but the trial is soon put on a temporary hold. It seems there are some strays terrorizing the mountainside, and humans are being killed. They band together to take out the strays before their existance is disclosed to the humans. But they didn't expect to find a young teenage tabby. Tabby's are very rare, there are only ten known in the USA. Now they must find out whom she belongs to and also keep her safe from the strays that are hunting her. But in order to protect her, Faythe must save her own life first with the council.

I absolutely LOVE this series! One of the best shape-shift series out there in my opinion. The tension is so thick, you could cut it with a knife. The plot is sound and even the Pride politics are explained in a way its easy to follow and understand. Sometimes I want to throttle Faythe, and others I want to just hug her and feed her cake. I can't wait for the next in this series, Prey, that comes out later this year!! Highly recommend to paranormal lovers!!

Book Give-Away Carnival Kicks Off! Malice by Lisa Jackson

Tracy at Bookroom Reviews is hosting the Book Giveaway Carnival, which is taking place all this week, March 2nd through the 8th. Be sure to click over; lots of book bloggers are giving away wonderful books!

I'm giving away a wonderful, autographed ARC of Malice by Lisa Jackson. You can read my review below, but its a great suspense that will keep you on the edge of your seat!

How to enter:

1. Leave a comment on this post. You must include a way to contact you (email or website address in your comment or available in your profile). If I can’t find a way to contact you I will draw another winner. (1 entry)

2. Blog about this giveaway. Leave a separate comment with a link to your post. (1 entry)

3. Become a follower or you already are a follower. (1 entry)

4. Share a favorite quote. (1 entry)

I will be using random.org to pick the winners from the comments on March 8th. The deadline for entry is midnight, March 7th. Only USA and Canada please.

Winner's Circle !!

The winners of Sway by Zachary Lazar are :

Carlene

Amanda Sue

Tracey

Jodi

Kristi

I've sent an email to all five winners. Once I have addresses, I'll forward them to our good friends at Hachette books, and they will send out your books. In the event someone does not reply within 48 hours, another winner will be chosen. Thanks to all who entered!!!

Malice by Lisa Jackson

Before DNA testing was available, victims were identified by their belongings and looks. Rick Bentz is either seeing a ghost, or he buried the wrong woman. Now that DNA testing is available, it may be time for an exhumation.

New Orleans Detective Rick Bentz is recovering from a spinal injury so he is currently off-duty. However, he keeps seeing his ex-wife Jennifer appear everywhere. He can’t believe what his eyes are showing him, as he knows he buried Jennifer twelve years ago. Either someone is playing him, or he is seeing a ghost. He doesn’t tell his current wife, Olivia, about it because he is afraid she will think he is losing his mind. What he doesn’t know, is that Olivia is also keeping a secret from him.

When a package arrives bearing Jennifer’s death certificate with a big red question mark over it, as well as pictures of Jennifer taken recently, Rick knows he won’t rest until he has an answer. He confides in Olivia, and then he leaves for California to pursue the matter. One thing he does know, if Jennifer is alive, then who did he bury?

A killer has been waiting patiently for twelve years to make Rick pay for his sins. A killer who knows what happened on the night twelve years ago when Jennifer Bentz’s car collided into a tree. The killer won’t stop with Rick though. The killer has also made Olivia it’s prime target.

New York Times Bestselling author, Lisa Jackson, does it again! A return of favorite character Rick Bentz and his partner Montoya, riding shotgun, star in another thrilling bone-chilling work of suspense. As the plot unfolds, the suspense builds until you are so pulled in, you won’t want to let go! Intensity at its best!

My reading slowed down for February. I'm not sure if its because it's a shorter month, I worked more, or because I couldn't pull myself away from the TV. Either way, I still finished pretty well. I read 11 Print and 2 E-Books. Finally catching up on some reviews, so my Paranormal challenge suffered this month. I only read one for it. Hoping to do better in March!

1. Futureproof: A Novel (P.S.) by N Frank Daniels - Reviewed
   
2. The Treasure Keeper by Shana Abe - Reviewed
3. Stand By Your Hitman (Romantic Mysteries) by Leslie Langtry - Reviewed
   
4. Savage Season (Vintage Crime/Black Lizard) by Joe R. Lansdale - Reviewed
   
5. Hangman Blind by Cassandra Clark - Reviewed
   
6. MY WAY HOME: A Novel by Cynthia lee Cartier - Reviewed
   
7. The Family Jewels by Carole Hart - Reviewed
   
8. The Flame (The Sons of Destiny, Book 7) by Jean Johnson
9. Mutiny in Chapter Three by Shelby Morgan - Reviewed
   
10. Sweetheart by Chelsea Cain
11. The Mage (The Sons of Destiny, Book 8) by Jean Johnson - Reviewed
12. Moonlight and Magic by Mina Carter - Reviewed
    
13. Malice by Lisa Jackson - Review in progress