The past haunts her, the present beguiles her…and the future is ready to bring her full circle.
Claire Branson just moved across state lines into Salem, Virginia, and she wants her life to go right for once, please and thank you. Having freshly escaped from a criminal past and the ex-boyfriend associated with it, she needs routine. Monotony. A happiness that could feel…simple.
Luke Turner is simple – sexy, sarcastically sweet, and, above all, radiating innocence. He could be her simplicity, there’s no doubt about that. But with Claire’s past festering under the gauze of her quick runaway, could he keep his innocence?
And, more importantly, will they get out of everything alive?
Uncaged Review: This was a fun book, and even though I liked Luke and Claire and the friends to lover trope here, I was really more interested in the secondary characters, especially Liam. Claire needs to escape her past so she moves to Virginia with her friend Zoey. In the meantime, she gets a job at a bar where she meets Luke. Thinking he’s gay, she feels pretty safe hanging out with him. They all live in the same building, Luke, Liam, Zoey and Claire. But Claire’s past will come back to haunt her, so they devise a plan to fix it once and for all.
I would have rated this a bit higher, but when the main characters main pastime is getting drunk, it’s hard to relate to them as normally functioning human beings. There is a lot of humor, and one thing I liked was how they all become a family, it’s the family you choose, not the one you are born into that counts here. Reviewed by Cyrene
Vazeer the Lash has spent his entire adulthood on the verge of peril while operating as a criminal in the violent metropolis of Hell’s Labyrinth. Vazeer, intelligent and poised, longs to leave the life of smuggling that betrays his cultured personality.
His chance comes when he is commissioned to overthrow The Raving Blade, one of the most notorious and cruel power brokers in Hell’s Labyrinth. Vazeer joins a rogue’s gallery of accomplished Shadow Bidders, each a master of distinct and nefarious skills. Among them are an ex-pirate, whose enormous size and skill with weapons make him a veritable one-man army, a brilliant actress who finds herself playing a key role in a criminal world where she doesn’t belong, and a calm, mysterious assassin who draws events ever forward towards a series of increasingly dire consequences.
Vazeer has 48 hours of mortal danger and sadistic enemies standing between him and freedom… but good and evil are not as straightforward as they seem.
Uncaged Review: In this dystopian world, the metropolis known as Hell’s Labyrinth is run by Underworld bosses. Shadow Bidders are the criminals that take on bids for a living. Each Shadow Bidder has their own distinct skills, ranging from actress to lockpicker to assassins. Vazeer the Lash is a master smuggler, a type of pirate in this desolate city. Deciding to take on one last “sketch” (job) that pays overly well should set him up to retire. Unfortunately, it’s the most dangerous he’s ever embarked on. Along with five other Shadow Bidders, they plan to take out The Raving Blade, the cruelest power broker in the city.
This book was a very slow start, although if you make it to the 50% mark, the book takes off. There are so many twists and turns in this book, one minute you will be believing one thing, and the next that idea is stripped from your mind. This book is written well, I just wish it would have taken off a bit faster. This is an intensely dark book, and once it gets moving, you won’t put it down for long. Reviewed by Cyrene
A stubborn suffragist … Boston suffragist, Mattie Duncan is a willful, independent woman whose heart has always belonged to Jack Taylor, a local firefighter. Challenging nineteenth-century conventions, she finds a way to join Jack’s fire station. Not only can she make a difference saving lives, she can spend time with Jack, who is tasked with training her.
The firefighter who resists her … Jack has always been attracted to Mattie, but he doesn’t see a future with her. In Jack’s mind, she will always be tied to his late brother, who had loved her desperately. To make matters worse, Jack is also still racked with guilt over not being able to prevent his brother’s death.
And the murder mystery that will bring them together … Mattie overhears a conversation suggesting his brother was murdered. As Jack and Mattie work together to uncover the truth, their passions ignite. But even if Jack’s guilt is absolved, can he overcome the sense of betrayal toward his brother that’s keeping them apart?
Uncaged Review: Set during the time of the suffrage protests and the Great Boston Fire, Mattie has always loved Jack. But Jack has always held her at arm’s length. When Mattie decides to join the fire department to be near Jack, he is assigned to train her – mostly to get her to give up the notion of being a firefighter. There were very few women that were firefighters, but Mattie’s decision to be a firefighter changed after she trained hard and was able to help save a young boy’s life. Jack lost his brother Sam in a fire, and he believed he would betray his brother’s memory by courting Mattie, whom his brother loved.
There are a lot of layers to this story, and a mystery, danger and coverups. Jack and Mattie begin investigating the death of Sam and discover a lot more than they ever could have known. Even though the background is the Suffrage movement and the Great Boston Fire, this is a book about Jack and Mattie and their families. The romance is slow building, and the characters are likable. A good read with a nice backdrop. Reviewed by Cyrene
All Miss Sophie Everett wants is to see her beloved cousin happily married to the man she loves, and she’ll do whatever it takes to make it happen. When a prime opportunity for matchmaking presents itself in the form of a country house party, she contrives to spend the week sowing the seeds of romance…until a fellow guest arrives with ideas of his own. Soon Sophie finds herself butting heads with the most stubborn man she’s ever known. A man who once owned her heart…
James Halloran, the Earl of Dearborn, is in need of an heir, but first he must find a wife. He thinks he’s found precisely what he wants: a girl possessed of both beauty and breeding, one who will make few demands and never touch his heart. The perfect countess. Unfortunately, the girl’s cousin—the maddening Miss Everett—does not share his enthusiasm for the match, and vows to prevent it, no matter the cost…
As their feud turns to friendship, sparks fly and passions ignite. But secrets, long kept hidden, threaten to destroy their future before it’s even begun…
Uncaged Review: This is a strong debut novel from this author, with great characters that had not only a great romance, but also a friendship with three women that is heartwarming, and it will be fun to read their stories in the future. Sophie and James have known each other since children. With Sophie having had a crush on James when they were young. But Sophie is all about helping her cousin Olivia find her match, and is not much interested in marriage herself. But both James and Sophie have secrets, and James’ past threatens his future. They will need to find a way past it all to find their HEA.
Great pacing, funny and witty at times, this is a very strong first novel. The sharp wit of Sophie will keep James on his toes, and when they agree to a decision to help James find a wife, to keep him from courting Olivia, Sophie will have to keep her heart on a short leash. Some spicy romance sprinkled in, and this is a great way to spend a cold winter day. Reviewed by Cyrene
Lemuel Plant is a hard-up private investigator working out of a shabby downtown office. He’s ready to quit, and is determined that his next case will be his last. Plant is visited by the beautiful Florence Joiner, who wants to collect evidence against her husband, who she alleges is having an affair with his secretary. On the job, Plant follows Harold Joiner, the managing partner of a successful firm. But he also follows his client, which leads him to the affluent suburb of Donnybrook and its country club. There, Plant discovers there’s more to the story than what she disclosed Intrigue, a compelling plot, and the salacious going-on between the well-heeled people of Donnybrook, make this a must-read for lovers of vintage detective fiction.
Uncaged Review: This book is set in a time before computers and cellphones, before technology took over. It reminded me a lot of the old movies like Dial M for Murder or Out of the Past. I’m not a heavy reader in the crime/mystery genres, but this book was a great page turner. It was a bit fun to go back to the old days when people had to literally run down their leads on a case instead of doing research behind a desk on a computer. Lem is a private investigator hired by a socialite who wants to prove her husband is cheating on her so she can divorce him and get a nice payday out of it. Lem decides to take the case, because he wants to just retire out of his dingy office. But there are a lot of twists and turns to this one, and one was a major surprise to me.
For private detective fans, this is a good read with a good cast of characters. Lem is such a great character, I hope he pops up in another book down the road. Reviewed by Cyrene
When Lark Cavanaugh’s life in New York City falls apart, she’s left reeling from a staggering betrayal. She escapes to Cape Cod, where a distant relative has left her an old house with a tragic past. Rumors of a haunting presence plague the abandoned home, but Lark doesn’t believe in ghosts…until she has no choice.
After completing his military duty, veterinarian Jesse Holt returns to his small hometown to take over his father’s practice. He soon finds himself drawn to the alluring redhead now living next door, but she has made her intentions clear—she’s moving back to the city as soon as possible. When frightening events threaten her safety, though, he can’t deny his protective instincts.
Unable to fight their feelings, they give in to desire…but another battle looms. Lark’s arrival has awakened a decades-old mystery, and the truth of what happened at Holloway House will only be revealed when it claims yet another life.
Uncaged Review: After she gets burned by her finance, Lark retreats to a home she inherited from an aunt she barely knew in a small town on Cape Cod. The rumors are the house is haunted and Lark begins seeing the evidence of that when she arrives with her cat Preston. When Preston gets sick, she finds a vet to take him to in the middle of the night, not knowing the vet is her neighbor, Jesse. Strange things like pictures falling off walls, and sounds coming from the house, but it starts getting dangerous when Lark starts sleepwalking near the river that runs in the wooded area between her and Jesse’s house. Lark and Jesse become closer, and Lark feels that she needs to find out the mystery of the haunting in the home. But the truth will be a dangerous road, but one that Lark believes needs to be solved to set the soul free.
This is a good ghost mystery, one that kept me reading. The mystery, danger and love that grows between Jesse and Lark are all well balanced within the book. Everything becomes clear in the end and it’s a fun time getting there. Reviewed by Cyrene
When an ancient goddess rises from a thousand-year slumber, an old knight and a band of adventurers are all that stand between the lands of Elessia and icy doom.
In the cold frontier towns of the North, the aging knight Eregar longs for one final adventure, one last chance to test himself against sword and sorcery.
He may yet regret his wish.
Unbeknownst to him, a dark sorceress rises in the east, claiming the mantle of the goddess he once served. Wielding power over frost and death, she intends to wage war on the living and reclaim her divine throne.
Yet her undead army will meet a bulwark it doesn’t expect.
Skilled in alchemy, stealth, and blade, a group of mercenaries stands in their way. These men and women, sons and daughters of The North, will be forged into the heroes they need to become by one of the greatest champions of their era…
Eregar the Roseslayer, the man who once killed a goddess.
Uncaged Review: This is a nicely done epic fantasy, that has terrific world building and characters that are well developed. This tells the journey of an older knight and some mercenaries that journey together to find and defeat the Ice Queen to remove a curse. This is a fantasy in some of the most traditional sense of sword and sorcery books, and those enjoy that trope will find a good fantasy book in this one. There is a lot of action/fight scenes that are well thought out.
This book ran a bit slow for me, but I did enjoy it. Good vs. evil is a bit predictable, but the author does a good job making me want to find out what happens to the group and keep me reading. I appreciated the epilogue and can see that the author has plenty of material to continue on in this world of Elessia. Reviewed by Cyrene
He’s a barbarian. Despite his sexy smile and hot body, nothing can smooth the brutish man’s ragged edges. Besides, demons need a daily dose of sex to live. Skyler Maxwell has no intention of becoming his food source.
She’s not his type at all…
She’s a buttoned-up, prissy human with frost in her veins. But Kole is stuck playing tour guide for the chief legal officer while she’s on Scath as a representative of the Alliance. He was told to “play nice.”
They are fire and ice…
With a bullseye on Skyler’s back, Kole is her best chance to stay alive. Trapped in a hostile environment, they survive mystical monsters and treacherous attacks. Despite the perils and their differences, their romance ignites, proving fire and ice are perfect together.
Uncaged Review: In present day Chicago Illinois, Chief Officer Skylar Maxwell was standing on the platform of Chicago Fullerton Station. The next moment Skylar was no longer on the platform and in the path of an oncoming train. Luckily, Skylar was pushed back onto the platform by somebody but still suffered a nasty fall. While on Scath soldier animus demon, Kole, is assigned to take Skylar back to Scath and babysit and also being her personal tour guide. Kole isn’t happy about the job but unwillingly takes Skylar back to Scath as ordered. As Kole breaks through Skylar’s prissy demanding nature, he can’t help but fall for her even though it is forbidden for demons and high-ranking officials to mix. Still love between Skylar and Kole could forge their two races or end up destroying them both.
The second installment of the blood coven series that is almost as good as the first! We are brought back to the three realms of Scath, Darque and Earth with another couple Kole and Skylar who are about as opposite as ice is to fire yet manage to find some common ground. The tale is still as riveting as the first book and can even be read as a stand-alone even though you will want to read the first book anyhow to learn the background of the other characters. There is enough background without getting lost too. I loved the first book so of course it wasn’t any stretch to include reading this book too. The flow of this story is much better than the first and there isn’t a whole lot of realms jumping either. Kole is not an easy hero to like but is better than Skylar who it took forever to warm up too until she started to have feelings for Kole. Will I read the next book in the series most definitely! Reviewed by Roslynn Ernst
Rein, a Vampire mixed breed, plunged into the abyss of bludfrenzy. With icy resolve, he crawled out to become a Firebrand. He doesn’t make rash decisions. Until… Braelyn takes a shortcut through an alley musing about what she can’t have. A new job. Adventure. A cancer-free brain. Instead, she writes for a paranormal tabloid. No, she doesn’t believe such nonsense, but she’s heading to Cleveland on assignment. Oh, and her tumor is back. Then… Rein kidnaps her and takes her to his realm, igniting a fiery romance. Meanwhile… An ancient threat hunts for descendants of the Blood Coven who divided the world into three realms fifteen hundred years ago to protect humans from savage Aeternals. Then, they scattered across Earth, marrying, raising children, dying, burying their secrets in time. Generations grew, unaware of their legacy. But… Braelyn is squarely in the hunter’s sights, and Rein is her best chance to survive.
Uncaged Review: In 452 A.D. six witches and six warlocks created the Karmic Schism. The realms of Scath, Darque and Earth were kept separate from each other. Mortals and Aeternals would not mix nor did they know anything about each other either. Fast forward to present day Seattle Washington as Braelyn was taking a short cut by cutting through an alley she spies Rein, a Scion Firebrand who is a mixed breed of vampire, warlock and incubus; becomes confused from jumping from realm to realm attempting to fight off the Kalli. Rein attempts to stun Braelyn but it has no effect on her. Rein has no choice to take Braelyn back to his realm. As Braelyn gets to know Rein she can’t help the strong attraction she has for him. Rein can’t figure out why he couldn’t stun Braelyn but as her mysterious past is revealed, Rein must unravel who she truly is without falling for her too.
What a truly exciting paranormal romance blending witches, warlocks, incubus, elves, vampires and shape-shifters together seamlessly! The world building is fantastically created and easily imagined! Yes, there might be some realm jumping that at first is a bit confusing, does manage to even out as the tale progresses. The story flows wonderfully with non-stop action and a breath-taking romance between two very strong protagonists that I couldn’t help but love and the cover is just beautiful! Braelyn might be a bit of a paradoxical enigma for some reason is easily relatable and likable. While Rein also is conundrum himself yet despite his mixed sensibilities is hard not to fall for too. The rest of the cast of magical characters are truly a delight as well! Ms. T.M. Smith has written a mesmerizing first book to definitely catch not only my interest but I will enjoy her world that much more the more I read! I eagerly anticipate the next book in the series. Reviewed by Roslynn Ernst
Welcome to Uncaged! Knight of Darkness, the first book in a series called The Knights of the Anarchy will release on February 8. What can you tell us about this book and the series?
Thank you for having me today. The idea of my Knights of the Anarchy series was sitting inside my head for years before I finally took the time to get the first story onto my computer. Knight of Darkness features the first of three brothers, Wymar Norwood, who is determined to see Empress Matilda placed on England’s throne. He hopes that in return for his service to the Empress, that she will restore his lands and title that was taken from him during a siege by King Stephen. My heroine, Lady Ceridwen Ward of Norwich, has her own plans to prove herself worthy to defend her own lands and the Empress. She’ll plunge herself and the guardsmen who followed her from Norwich into the Battle of Lincoln where she’ll meet Wymar.
What are you working on next that you can tell us about?
I have two books I am currently working on. The first is Knight of Havoc, Book Three in The Knights of the Anarchy series. It continues the story with the youngest brother, Reynard, while he continues his quest to see Empress Matilda on England’s throne. The second is another story for Dragonblade Publishing in their Lyon’s Den Connected World. I’m really enjoying writing in this world with secondary characters I had from some of my other Regency era stories.
What is the most difficult scene for you to write? What is the easiest?
The most difficult scene for me to write is usually the opening paragraph of any book. Any author wants to grab the reader’s attention with that very first line and sometimes it takes me several tries before something finally clicks. After that, I let my characters drive the story. The easiest scene for me usually happens with my time travels. There’s something about having my modern-day women travel back in time to my Knights of Berwyck. They each have their own individual way they slip back and find themselves in a difficult position of fitting into a medieval world.
How do you come up with names for your characters?
When I first starting writing my very first manuscript back in 2008, I asked my daughter for names of characters. Over the years, she’s become the Queen of Names and I go to her often for her input. It’s been a thing between us ever since and I like to think gives her some buy in for my stories.
Do you read reviews? What do you take away from them?
I do read my reviews. I feel that if a reader has taken the time to write a review on one of my books, the least I can do is read what they thought about it. I take into account that I can’t please everyone but even a bad review will usually have something I can take away from it and possibly improve my next book. I appreciate my readers and am thankful when they reach out to me to tell me how much they enjoy my writing. Their praise is what drives me to write another page!
Read the rest of this interview in the issue below
Sherry Ewing picked up her first historical romance when she was a teenager and has been hooked ever since. An award-winning and bestselling author, she writes historical & time travel romances to awaken the soul one heart at a time. Always wanting to write a novel but busy raising her children, she finally took the plunge in 2008 and wrote her first Regency. Sherry is currently working on her next novel and when not writing, she can be found in the San Francisco area at her day job as an Information Technology Specialist. You can learn more about Sherry and her books on her website where a new adventure awaits you on every page at
Sometimes finding love can become our biggest weakness…
Wymar Norwood understands responsibility. His two brothers have been in his care since his parent’s death. With his title and lands stripped from him by the usurper Stephen, he aligns himself with the Empress Matilda, the rightful Queen of England. If he can win her favor and become her champion knight, he prays all will be returned to him.
Lady Ceridwen Ward of Norwich is out to prove not only to herself but the Empress that she is more than capable of protecting those she loves. She hides herself in the guise of a knight and follows along with her men to Lincoln to raise her sword for the Empress’s cause. But life can become complicated, especially after your identity is revealed.
But Wymar and Ceridwen have a common enemy who is bent on revenge. They will need to search their souls and overcome grief in order for their love to survive life’s greatest test.
Excerpt
Finally arriving on the outskirts of Lincoln, the lights of a distant inn flickered in the dusk of night. ’Twas and were like a beacon calling him to enter its warmth for a mug or two of ale. He was unsure ’twas a good idea to tarry and yet he had a mighty thirst to quench after hours in the saddle. Rain dripped from his hair and clouded his vision leaving him no doubt as to his decision for a brief respite from the weather. Between the rain and those who had arrived before them, they would be hard pressed to find a place to pitch their tents for the upcoming battle.
He pulled on the reins of his horse causing Aries to whinny. “Theobald! Reynard!” he bellowed above the sound of the storm. Wymar pointed to the inn before covering his face when clumps of mud were flung in his direction after his brothers took off in a full gallop. ’Twas as if they were only awaiting word they could seek their comfort for a few hours of the night and they would apparently not take the chance that Wymar would change his mind.
“I highly doubt the inn will have any available rooms at this hour. Your brothers care only for their immediate desires and think not of what must needs still be accomplished before they rest their weary heads,” Richard Grancourt said, coming abreast of Wymar.
“Aye, but can you blame them?” Wymar replied with a toss of his head as rivulets of water streamed down his brown hair. Wiping the water from his eyes, he turned in his saddle to take in the condition of the rest of the half dozen men who followed him.
Wymar had known Richard for most of his life and did not question his loyalty. Wymar also recognized some of the men who continued to follow him after attending one tourney or another together. He could not claim the same with the others he had met on the open road. He only was aware that they, too, went to fight for the Empress. Their number continued to grow the further down the road they went. Wymar often wondered during their travels exactly how loyal, in truth, they were. Most mercenaries of his acquaintance would change sides faster than Theobald could down a mug of mead if this meant more coins for their purse or a bit of land to call home.
Mayhap one day he would learn for himself if they could be trusted and until then he would continue to be on his guard. He did not relish the idea of seeing one of them coming at him with blade in hand in an attempt to gain authority of their group… not that Wymar ever claimed to be their leader. The men just assumed he was the one to look to for their orders. After years of battles or tournaments to earn more monies, they would not be the first to attempt to kill him. Wymar was certain they would not be the last and only time itself would prove their worth.
Some of the knights who followed him knew the strength of Wymar’s sword and had labeled him the Knight of Darkness after witnessing him fight on several occasions. He could not say he was particularly fond of such a nickname, yet he would not complain if his reputation became elevated because of it. Mayhap even the Empress would learn he would fight to the death for her cause.
“I shall see to finding a place to pitch our tents,” Richard stated, interrupting Wymar’s musings. “I assume you have no further need of me this night and your brothers will be capable of watching your back?”
Wymar nodded. “I shall be grateful, Richard, for your assistance in seeing to the camp. At this stage of the war, let us hope we can find a spot far enough away from the battlefield to ease our comfort when we are able.”
Sherry Ewing picked up her first historical romance when she was a teenager and has been hooked ever since. An award-winning and bestselling author, she writes historical & time travel romances to awaken the soul one heart at a time. Always wanting to write a novel but busy raising her children, she finally took the plunge in 2008 and wrote her first Regency. Sherry is currently working on her next novel and when not writing, she can be found in the San Francisco area at her day job as an Information Technology Specialist. You can learn more about Sherry and her books on her website where a new adventure awaits you on every page at 