Tuesday, April 29, 2025
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Uncaged Review – Ellie Walker’s Justice by Susan Federici

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Ellie Walker’s Justice
Susan Federici
Historical Western

When Ellie Walker spots smoke coming from the direction of her farm, she races home to find her father mortally wounded and everything they own, burned to the ground. As her father lay dying, he tells Ellie that the son of his estranged wife, Tom Gordon, is the one responsible. Ellie vows to find Tom and bring him to justice.

Uncaged Review: Ellie rushes to her home when she sees smoke when she arrives she sees everything gone and her father wounded. He tells Ellie who has done this and she vows to get Tom as her father dies.
She works hard to learn how to shoot better and with her neighbors Mustang she heads out to find Tom and make him pay.

Ellie saves Clint’s life in a range war and after he sees how she handles herself he delays her journey but not before his mother and his old sweetheart arrive. Delphine doesn’t make Ellie’s life easy. She is hurt and leaves to Clint’s dismay.

He has to find her fast but Ellie needs to find Tom.

The authors does an excellent job with the plot and characters. You really want Ellie to find Tom but yet you feel for Clint and what he is going through. The reader can feel the pull between the characters and it makes you want to turn the pages to find out what happens. Reviewed by Babs

5 Stars

Uncaged Review – Enslaving the Day by Jenn Langston

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Enslaving the Day
Jenn Langston
Historical Regency

One night’s mistake finds Lady Annalise Hera in a very compromising situation. Pregnant, unmarried, and on her way to Gretna Green. Although Baron Dailey put her in this position, she belatedly realizes she can’t marry him and will do anything to get him to release her. Even lie. After all, life would be better as a disgraced, unwed mother than the wife of a cocky, irritating man she can barely tolerate.

Uncaged Review: If Annalise has quite the reputation as its believed she has – she’s not as innocent as she would have others think, so when she finds herself with child the worrying begins on the outcome this will bring to her and the rest of her family. Thoughts of telling the father occur to her, but remain worthless as the father of her child has a mistress. I really enjoyed this book and have been very lucky to have read both in the series.

This books focuses on the touched by fire series. The series is based on a group of childhood friends who got injured in a fire and there attempts. To find happiness. I think the series is very entertaining and the books can also be enjoyed as standalone reads. Reviewed by Jennifer

4 Stars

Uncaged Review – The Savage from the Sea by Claire Harris

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The Savage from the Sea
Claire Harris
Viking/Medieval

The pagan Vikings pillage the shores of Anglo-Saxon England, striking fear in the hearts of the people. Fighting alongside the men, Finna Vidisdóttir is all too happy to participate in their destruction, until a near-fatal defeat lands her in the hands of the enemy. …

Uncaged Review: Finna was raised and trained as a warrior for her clan. Strong and capable, and when they plan a raid on enemy lands, most of her clan is killed along with her husband. Taken captive, she slowly learns that the leader of the clan, Colby, is an honorable man and she fights her growing feelings. As she gains his trust, will she be able to go back to her clan when the bartering is over?

This is a really well done Viking historical. Finna is a warrior and Colby doesn’t understand how women from Finna’s clan can be allowed to fight, when he believes women need to be cherished and honored. As feelings grow between them, each of them see the honor and passion in the other.

This book is hard to put down – even from the first chapter – it captured my interest and held it all the way through. Reviewed by Cyrene

4 1/2 Stars

Uncaged Review – Lovely Scars by Cassandra Jamison

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Lovely Scars
Cassandra Jamison
Young Adult

Snooping on your boyfriend’s phone is never a good idea. Collins can’t help herself after he unexpectedly commits suicide, but what she finds makes her grateful he’s dead.

Collins Carpenter has always been the textbook good girl until her freshman year of college when an unplanned pregnancy with her best friend, Everett, complicates everything. In a desperate attempt to deny her feelings for her child’s father and her jealousy toward his new girlfriend, Collins jumps into a relationship with Brock Webber. Nobody suspects that his good looks and charm masks something quite sinister until after his death, when the things he had been involved in finally come to light.

Disturbing and inexplicable events leave Collins wondering if Brock’s spirit is not at rest or if somebody from his past is after her. Somebody who may be closer than she thinks.

Uncaged Review: A dark read that kept me on my toes reading. I admit I can sometimes guess the bad person in the book. This time I was pleased to see the author out-did me. A young single mother finds herself in danger after finding out her boyfriend isn’t who he says he is. A game of cat and mouse begins. I can highly recommend this book as I think this was a great read. Looking forward to seeing what the author comes up with next. Reviewed by Jennifer

5 Stars

Uncaged Review – Stealing the Show by Lilliana Rose

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Stealing the Show
Lilliana Rose
Contemporary Western

Kristie comes to the Royal Adelaide Show every year with the sheep. This year will she return with more than just prizes? Or will she steal the heart of a man as well, and snag the love of her life?

Kristie Johnson plans to run the family farm one day. As the only child, she lives with her parents and struggles to get them to see that she can make her own decisions and that she is a grown woman. Then, she meets Tully Row, a dancer performing at the show and she turns to him for a few days of fun. Instead she finds herself falling for him, especially when she finds out he’s a country boy himself.

Uncaged Review: Stealing the Show is the second book in Lilliana Rose’s Showtime Fever series. Tully is working as a dance to help pay for his law degree. There was no room on the dairy farm and he had to do something. At the annual Royal Adelaide Show and a miss understanding at the coffee shop brings Kristie and Tully together however briefly there was a spark. Kristie helps her family’s sheep. Can these two come back together?

I like the way the author tells her story. The reader feels like they are right there in the showroom with Tully and Kristie. Kristie keeps coming back to see Tully and you can’t help but see these two make some kind of relationship. Reviewed by Babs

5 Stars

Uncaged Review – Delusional Conduct by Ranalli and Clayton with Excerpt

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Delusional Conduct
Ranalli & Clayton
Psychological Thriller

When five lifelong friends with an incredible birthright, and their old town, already harboring secrets of its own, becomes overrun by new wealth after the ancient asylum closes for good, a chain of events are set in motion and no one is safe from what’s to come.

On the outside, Michelle and Jen appear to have everything going for them, including their three best friends; however, appearances aren’t everything.

When Brody and his spoiled friends play a cruel joke on one of the towns less fortunate the five friends devise a plan to get revenge. Once everything is almost set, a greater evil emerges, one that cannot be ignored.
Are Michelle and Jen manipulating the others, herding them like sheep to the slaughter? Or is this a twisted game where something much more sinister is taking place?
With tension rising and madness taking hold, can these friends keep it together, or will one crack under the pressure? After all blood, death and secrets always have repercussions.

Excerpt

Michelle led the way as Jen followed behind her silently. Their spot in the woods was ironically close to the back side of the asylum, whether consciously or unconsciously Michelle led them right down the fastest path which landed them right behind the burnt wing.
Michelle turned to look at Jen. They had always been so close that they never needed words to communicate before; so, Michelle didn’t think she needed to start changing things now. If something was off Michelle was sure Jen would tell her. She stepped aside and let Jen take the lead. Michelle followed her friend through the large, broken-down backside of the building and into an area that somehow survived the flames.
Michelle needed to break the silence that had now become awkward, half joking she said, “I’ve always wondered why they referred to this building for the criminally insane as a ward in the infamous “”Sawsville asylum for the severely mentally ill”.”
“Yeah, and then they went and changed it to “Sawsville Estates: A home with Extra Care”,” Jen said with a smile on her face.
Victory. At least she is speaking normally again.
Jen continued to walk, her head down and the smile gone.
I guess that victory celebration was a little too soon.
Jen navigated her way through the broken doors and windows that separated various sections of the building like she was on a mission to reach a particular place and fast. Michelle knew this building like she knew her own home, but a gut instinct told her Jen knew it better than she should. As usual, Michelle’s gut was right, Jen knew exactly where she was leading her best friend.
Jen pushed through a rusted door and sat on a melted metal bed. She looked over at Michelle and asked in a creepy whisper,
“Do you know where we are, Michelle?”
Michelle knew exactly where they were. Chills ran up her spine, she wanted to grab Jen’s hand and leave.
Forcing more confidence into her voice then she felt, Michelle said, “Yeah, Jen, I know where we are. We are in his cell. But what I don’t know, is why?”
Jen seemed to be annoyed by Michelle’s response. She let out a slight groan and stated in a very matter of fact way,
“This is where he comes. Every night he is here, sleeping! He thinks I don’t know, but I do. Look around.” Jen spread her arms wide.
“You can’t lie to me anymore, Michelle. You can’t try to make me think I’m going crazy. I know the truth,” Jen started to cry, “I’ve been right all along. Damn it. I’ve been right all this time. He had never died. He has been living here the whole time.”
Michelle stared at Jen, not saying a word.
As the silence stretched, Jen became more agitated.
“Michelle, why are you not saying anything? Don’t you get it? The man that murdered my sister isn’t dead. Or gone. He is still here and I know that you know it too.”
Michelle was in shock, she didn’t know what to say, or how to say it.
Does the truth always set you free, or is that just a saying? Michelle wondered before finally speaking. She chose her words carefully.
“Oh Jen, I know you’re not crazy. He was gone, I came here a lot. In fact, for years this is where I’d wake up, with no idea how I got here. I’ve never told anyone, but I’ve been sleepwalking a lot since….well, since I found Jess. It’s happening more recently. But Jen, you have to believe me when I say I didn’t know he was back until a few days ago. That’s all I know.”
Michelle, being superstitious, put her hands behind her back and crossed her fingers as she lied to her best friend.

Uncaged Review

A fast packed action filled story about five friends who believe themselves to be protecting their small town from some new kids who have harmed some of the other local kids. But one of the members of their group is hiding a dark family secret that if uncovered would cost alot of problems. I really enjoyed this book and I was pleasantly surprised that Michelle and her group of friends were kinda what you would call the good kids. This story is really dark and I loved reading every minute of it. Keeping my fingers crossed part two is out soon. As the story leaves you at a good place. Reviewed by Jennifer

5 Stars

Uncaged Review – Dangerous Destiny by V.A. Dold with Excerpt

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Dangerous Destiny
V.A. Dold
Paranormal

You can find the ebook version of this book in the Boxed set Sigils & Spells.

The Guild an order of witch hunters organized in the 1600s is alive and well. And they have Carolyn in their sights. Carolyn Soucek is a witch who can see the future, all except her own. Desperate for answers she consults a seer. Her destiny awaits her in Savannah, Georgia. At least that’s what the gifted psychic tells her. Darius Drummond is a vampire sworn to protect witches from the Guild. Hundreds of years, dealing with singular witches weren’t enough to prepare him for Carolyn. Now that he’s found his soulmate, can he save her from the pyre?

Excerpt

Carolyn Soucek’s eyes closed and she calmed her mind. The ticking of the Grandfather clock faded into the background as her thoughts silenced. Through her third eye, the warm, welcoming glow of her crown chakra bloomed like a flower under the sunshine of spring. A gentle brush of psychic talent caressed her mind in welcome as the connection to the ethereal world opened. Respected psychics told Carolyn that her talent was rare. Few witches could tap into the future of others. To Carolyn, it was like breathing, a part of everyday life. When she did readings, blurred images of that person’s life slowly came into focus and voices whispered secrets of the client’s future.
As a favored daughter of the universal source, she was highly gifted and sought by believers and skeptics alike. Those who loved Carolyn—clambered for a reading. Those who didn’t—gave Carolyn a wide berth.
Pushing her curtain of long blonde hair over her shoulder, she huffed out a frustrated breath. Why didn’t her foresight work for her as it did for everyone else? No matter how many hours she meditated, how calm she made her mind, she never received information in regards to her future.
“Nothing?” her friend Lynn asked.
Carolyn huffed out a breath. “Notta.”
Lynn grabbed her phone and scrolled through the contacts. “That’s it. We need to know what you’ve been sensing. We can’t avoid or fight whatever the danger is if we’re unprepared. I’m making an appointment with Maggie. She’ll be able to read you. Who knows, maybe you’ll get a twofer. Maggie may also get a bead on what you’ve sensed is missing in your life.”
Carolyn rubbed her arms, trying to wipe away an odd burning sensation. “Fine. I’ll give Maggie a shot. Margaret Stewart is very gifted. I’m sure she’ll have something to tell me. A witch that comes from such a long line of Scottish seers has to be able to tap into the danger I feel lurking in the shadows. Heck, if she can’t tell me what the threat is, no one can.”

Two days later

Carolyn pushed Maggie’s shop door open. Cool air-conditioned air washed over her face, and the tiny silver bells over the door tinkled softly, heralding a customer’s arrival. Margaret’s antiquated alarm system always brought a smile to her face. She and her friends often shopped for supplies at Maggie’s. And why not? It was the best new age shop in town.
She must have gotten a shipment in. The glass shelves that filled the small shop were bursting with artfully arranged crystals, amulets, and other assorted Wiccan items. Carolyn took a closer look at a collection of Amethyst. She could use a cluster next to her bed. She took first one then another and held it to sense the energy. The third one was perfect. Crystal in hand she turned to the display counter that ran along the right wall, but Maggie wasn’t there or anywhere else in the shop for that matter. She must be in the backroom.
Carolyn closed her eyes and breathed deeply, candles and herbs scented the air. Vanilla, lemongrass, and sandalwood seemed to be the fragrance of the day. Nice choices. The shop always smelled divine.
A familiar warm, husky voice pulled Carolyn from her reverie. “Carolyn darling, it’s lovely to see you.”
“Good afternoon, Maggie. How are you today?”
Carolyn smiled as she took in Margaret Stewart’s appearance. She looked like a gypsy of old. Colorfully dressed, with a scarf wrapped around fluffy, graying hair, bracelets jingled at her wrists, and large hoop earrings swayed with each step.
“I’m well. Are you ready for your reading or did you want to shop first?”
Carolyn held up the crystal. “I already did a little shopping. Would you like me to pay for it now?”
Maggie waved her to the back room, hidden behind a brocade curtain. “Not a chance. That amethyst was meant for you. If the fates want you to have it who am I to argue. Now, tell me what I can do for you.”
“I sense danger drawing near. The feeling of dread grows stronger every day. I have nightmares every night, but I never remember them when I wake. I’ve tried to look into my future, but my gift has never worked for me.”
Maggie took a seat at a small table covered with a beautiful family heirloom of embroidered cloth. “Ah, yes. The plague with which we all deal. Our gifts are meant to benefit others and never work when we attempt to use them on ourselves. Make yourself comfortable and give me your hands, I won’t need my cards or bones for this.”
Maggie studied the lines in Carolyn’s palms for a long minute, and then closed her eyes. Her head cocked to the right as if listening to unheard voices. “Interesting. Very interesting. There’s danger on the horizon. I can see it clearly. Your worries are justified. Before the danger is defeated, you will experience overwhelming pain. I want you to keep in mind as you travel this path that you’ll come out the other side a stronger person. But what is truly remarkable is the change I see coming of a romantic nature. Destiny is barreling hell bent for leather into your life. Your existence is about to be turned on its head by a tall, brunette, very handsome man. He’s not human. If I’m not mistaken, he’s a vampire.
“The combination of a vampire and a witch as soulmates packs a powerful punch. Don’t be surprised when you experience an instant, profound connection with this man. This relationship you’re about to enter won’t follow the normal rules society dictates we follow. When a vampire finds a soulmate the two people are drawn together like metal to a magnet and just as inseparable. It’s not uncommon for the couple to fall instantly in love. Do yourself a favor and don’t question your attraction when it happens. If you do, you may regret it. Grab your bags, young lady. You’re going to Savannah tonight. You must stay at the Hotel Indigo and attend the masquerade ball held there on All Hallows’ Eve.”
“Savannah? Tonight? I can’t just up and leave.”
Maggie patted Carolyn’s hand. “Of course you can. Destiny has cleared your path. You don’t screw with destiny or the gods. You know that as well as I. Now hurry home. You need to book your flight and hotel.”

Uncaged Review

A great start to a spin-off series from the author’s popular Le Beau Brothers series. Witch hunters in the Guild are out to kill witches, and our main heroine, Carolyn is targeted – she goes to see a Seer whom she trusts. Darius, is a vampire in the League of Guardians, who protect witches from the manhunt. Darius is assigned to protect Carolyn in Savannah.

I’m not giving anything more away, this book is a fast and furious read and even though I haven’t read any of this author’s other books, it’s definitely put them on my radar. Reviewed by Cyrene

4 1/2 Stars

Uncaged Review – Cursed by Skylar McKinzie with Excerpt

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Cursed
Skylar McKinzie
Horror

Skye, Stormy, and Savannah Davidson are no different from the other residents of Discovery, Massachusetts, or so they think. As their 25th birthday approaches, the town begins to treat them with wariness and suspicion. Skye begins to believe the triplets are special. Can they solve the puzzle of their past to save the town from the evil forces that affect their future?

Excerpt

Cursed Excerpt: Prologue:
1692: Discovery, Massachusetts

The growl from the other side of the door spurred Faith into action like nothing else could. It wouldn’t be long before they came for her, because of what they thought she was. Granny had warned her about going out during the hunt, but she simply wanted to, no, had to see him one more time. She knew it was a risk. She knew the magistrate watched her and her family, searching for any excuse to accuse them of witchcraft. She reached down to stroke the agitated wolf at her feet. Faith knew she should send him running into the darkness but was unable to bring herself to part with him before she had to. “Shh, Wolfe,” she rubbed his soft fur to quiet him.
Maybe Wolfe reacted to the growl from the dogs outside or, perhaps, he innately knew the mob was coming for her. Whatever the cause, his reaction galvanized her and she tore the house apart, looking for a place to hide the book that would condemn her and her sisters. Wolfe padded behind her, growling occasionally, as if to remind her the men grew closer. Faith turned to see her sisters, Chasity and Hope, standing in the doorway.
“Did I not tell you to run?” Faith quickly gathered some potions, vials and other essentials they would need, putting them hastily into a bag. With their flowing, black hair and blue eyes, they appeared identical to Faith, another mark against them as far as the town was concerned. Three babies, born at once, all resembling the same person, had to be witchcraft, didn’t it?
“Run!” Faith tossed the bags at the young women. She knew she caused the hunters to come for them. If only she hadn’t gone to see him, if she had simply listened to her granny. She darted after her sisters, out the back door of the huge house, understanding she would never darken its doors again.
Fleeing through the woods behind her former home, Faith heard the rapid breathing of her sisters, running beside her, and the padding footsteps of Wolfe as he led them to where their only salvation lie. Their lovers waited to spirit them away from this place, away from the ignorance consuming this town. The six of them would leave to a new land and begin again, somewhere they weren’t feared and wouldn’t be put to death for being different.
Faith sighed with relief when she saw horses ahead. “We’ve made it. It will all be okay now,” she whispered, turning to her sisters as she stopped to pat the top of Wolfe’s head. She looked up in shock as the magistrate came out of the darkness, his razor-sharp eyes full of hatred.
“Did you really think we would let three witches descend on the world outside of Salem? There’s no telling what kind of disaster that would cause.” Faith watched in dismay as her sisters were grabbed. She tried to go to them, but was stopped by hands gripping her arms from behind. To no avail, Faith struggled against the hands holding her.
“But, how…” she asked, tears filling her eyes when they stepped out of the shadows. “You! You betrayed us,” she murmured, tears falling as she was led to one of the three stakes erected; she had failed to see as they burst into the clearing.
The wide-eyed terror on the faces of the sisters she swore to protect prompted Faith to reveal their true nature. Flames licking towards their feet, the smell of burning material in her nose, she started to chant, her sisters’ voices soon adding to the incantation.
As the fire rose to meet their feet, their voices grew louder and Faith saw the townspeople fidget as their nerves got the better of them. She looked directly at the family who betrayed them, the family she, no they put their entire trust in. The birthmark on her shoulder stung, and the rain fell.

Chapter 1
2016: Discovery, Massachusetts:

Skye Davidson giggled as children plastered their little faces to the window to see the Halloween display she had hung the night before. Skye loved this time of year and wore a huge smile on her face as she went to start the pots of coffee her customers would inhale as soon as The Witches Brew’s door opened. Outside, the wind grabbed the hat of a young kid, blowing it down the street as the child gave chase.
The chatter outside, combined with Dr. John Andrews expected arrival for his morning coffee, was enough to get Skye singing as she worked. It was two weeks until Halloween in Discovery, and Skye wanted to seize the opportunity to cater to the tourists that would come through the area on their way to nearby Salem.
Halloween was heavily celebrated in these parts, and the Davidson sisters were more than a little involved in the festivities every year. Skye, Stormy, and Savannah Davidson grew up on the stories of the Salem witches, their granny hinting more than once that they were related to the infamous witches. Their mom pooh-poohed such notions every time their granny started her ‘nonsense’. Tabitha Davidson would shake her head, saying, “My three girls will keep their feet on the ground and their heads out of the clouds,” then shoot their granny a look they never understood before corralling the girls into the kitchen, leaving their granny teary-eyed behind them.
When alone, granny would tell them that being triplets was unique and that, when they were older, they would understand. Stormy, being the eldest of the three by ten minutes, scoffed after their granny went to bed, telling her siblings that, although she loved the stories their granny told, they were crazy rants and nothing else.
Skye couldn’t prevent the laugh escaping her as she recalled ten-year-old Stormy, hands on her hips, informing her ‘younger’ sisters that magic, ghosts, and witches were not real.
Skye sighed when arms wrapped around her from behind, dragging her back into the present. Granny had been gone for a few years now but the memories still stung. “What has you so tickled this morning, gorgeous?” John asked as he kissed the back of her neck, her bare skin tingling where his lips touched.
Skye turned in his arms, “Just happy this morning,” She pecked him lightly on the lips and pulled away as giggles from the other side of the counter registered.
Skye leaned over to view the two little girls who smiled up at her, “Are you trying to sneak up on us?” She teased, reaching behind her to grab two pumpkin spice cookies from the display case. “Here, run along now, and tell your mom her order will be ready at six.”
She looked back in time to see a strange look cross John’s face, “I guess we grossed them out.”
“What’s that look for?” She asked. Recently, some of the residents in town had been treating the Davidson sisters as if they had sprouted two heads.
“What look?” John responded, his gentle face pulled into an innocent expression.
Skye tugged on a lock of his curly, brown hair, “The look that says you’re going to take me out for a nice dinner tonight.”
“Is that the look you’re referring to?” He wrapped his arms around her, pulling her close, his blue eyes twinkling, “You’re on then.”
******
After John left for work and things slowed in the shop, Skye mused over the strange glance. Her thoughts went back to the previous day, when she and Savi were in town. Talking to one of the shop owners, things were going fine until she mentioned their upcoming twenty-fifth birthday.
The girl’s mother, who had been knitting in the corner, let out a string of words that sounded foreign to Skye. The woman crossed herself before bolting into the back room.
Stuff like that seemed to happen everywhere they went and Skye swore she heard one woman mutter “Witches, they will destroy us yet,” when she passed her in the street this morning. She pushed the thought from her mind, customers flowing through the door for the lunch rush. She would think about it later.
Business was steady all day and Skye was exhausted, ready to close the Witches Brew as the clock struck six. Locking the door, she had barely finished sweeping the floor when the phone rang.
After assuring Stormy for five minutes that she would be home for dinner, she returned to the front of the cozy, little shop, broom in hand.
She stopped short at the sight in front of her, the broom dropping to the floor with a clatter. The door to the shop stood wide open. The Halloween decorations were not as she had left them: each of them—even the miniature, ceramic pumpkins—had their eyes trained on her as she stood frozen in the doorway. Scarecrows were turned upside down, straw trailing across the floor, a bat was stuffed into the mouth of one Jack-O-Lantern, its fangs bared.
She started towards the front door, the eyes of the Jack-O-Lanterns following her every step. Scanning the streets for an intruder, she slammed the door shut and leaned against it, her heart racing.
*****
The man watched from the shadows across the street, chuckling at the fear and puzzlement on the girl’s face as she shut the door. He bathed in the scent of her fear for a moment, then glanced around, shifting forms, before fading into the darkness from which he had come.

Uncaged Review

A town called Discovery near Salem where three triplets called the Davidsons learn that the reason why the town members have been looking at them funny is because there really witches. After learning this fact the three sisters do everything they can to learn their powers, quickly so they can banish the evil causing chaos in their town. This story is filled with magic and history and is very entertaining. Book 1 is really giving you some characters history and background and plotting up to tell us who is really the big bad is. I thought this book was a mixture of Charmed meets Vampire Diaries. Patiently awaiting book two. Reviewed by Jennifer

5 Stars

Uncaged Review – Highland Chance by S.R. Mitchell with Excerpt

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Highland Chance
Box Set – 3 Book Series
S.R. Mitchell
Historical/Time Travel

Second Chance with a Highlander (Book 1)

When Kate looks into his eyes she realizes she has
seen him before, in her dreams.
She has felt his kisses and touched his skin.
Now Kate finds herself in a different place and time. He is not a dream but very real and handsome, intoxicating.

Highland Tides by Chance (Book 2)

Nothing very exciting ever happened to Anna until she woke up wet, covered in sand, and with a man standing above her.
He is tall. He is strong. He is very handsome.
He makes her mouth water and her body quiver.

A Chance to Love a Highlander (Book 3)

When Elle finds herself in the ghostly way–dead– everything is put into perspective, but that will not change the feelings she has grown for one man even though she believes him forever lost to her.
Elle and Mikel have more in common than she realized.
They are both in for a surprise of epic proportions and only time will write their ending…

Finding His Heart ~ Maverick’s Story
Bonus Novelette
Maverick never thought he’d find love as he watched each of his closest friends find just that; earth shatterimg love. What he finds defies time…

Excerpt – Chapter 16

“Wake up!” Elle all but shouted in Anna’s ear. She was standing on the side of the bed, closest to the sliding doors to the small balcony. The sliding doors were open letting in the cool night breeze.
“Why are you yelling?” asked Anna as she sat up in the bed trying to gain her bearings. Anna looked to the open sliding door and shivered. “Well? Why are you yelling?” Elle just smiled at her.
“Get up out of that bed and come look.” Elle was very excited. “You will not believe where the next port of call is.”
Anna paled. Something was up for her sister to be so excited. “The next port?”
“Yeah,” answered Elle, waving her hands toward the balcony. “I think this is maybe the last one if I remember the itinerary right; then we are homeward bound.”
Anna slowly made her way to the balcony on shaky legs. High on the cliff was a small stone building looking out onto the water. Anna stood frozen in place and watched as the rocky cliff went by to reveal a town built up behind a small port. A few small fishing boats dotted the water.
“Oh, shit,” Anna finally said. “This is where I fell.” She turned to look at her sister before turning back. “The port is so different, but…” Anna couldn’t finish. What were the odds they would be at this particular port? The cruise ship would have a land excursion planned for this small town, and Anna planned to be on it.
“This is all meant to be.” Elle turned excitedly to her sister, but her excitement faded when she saw Anna’s expression. “What’s wrong?”
Anna was shaking. “When you woke me up,” Anna said quietly. “I was dreaming of Hamish.”
Elle walked over to her sister and grabbed her shoulders reassuringly. “That’s a good thing, right? What did you dream about?”
“He was building that little stone structure on the cliffs,” Anna smiled sadly. “Hamish was asking why I’d had to leave and that he loved me.” Her eyes connected with her sister. “It was so real. When I said I loved him too, I could have sworn he heard me.”
“Oh my,” breathed Elle, “like in that small stone building?”
Anna just shook her head.
“Hurry,” urged Elle. “Take a quick shower and get dressed. We need to get off this ship and on the boat headed for the port.”
Anna felt excited. All she could manage was a nod as she grabbed some clean clothes and headed toward the bathroom.
Halfway to the bathroom, Anna froze. “If this is a sign of something and I am not just getting my hopes up,” Anna paused. “I want to call and talk to Mom and Dad before we leave. I want them to know that everything is okay, that I am okay.”
Elle smiled. “I think that’s a great idea. Are they up now?”
“No,” Anna said, reaching for the phone beside her bed and waited for the communication service to answer. “They’re almost seven hours behind us, but…”
“You need to,” finished Elle.
Anna nodded her head in agreement. “After everything that’s happened, I’ve learned that nothing is what is seems to be, and anything is possible. I need to talk to them.”
Elle understood, and sadness pulled at her heart. “I wish I could talk to them, too.”

~*~
Two hours later, after Anna grabbed a small breakfast, they were in line to board the boats set for the port. Elle stood beside her looking just as eager as Anna felt. Now they both had a reason to get back, Anna thought.
People surrounding her were so excited and chatty; it was contagious. Anna felt the excitement growing inside as they finally began boarding the excursion boat.
The whole boat ride, Anna tried to keep down her excitement, wondering what this all meant. What if they reached the stone building and it meant nothing? She kept trying to tell herself it was a coincidence. Turning to smile at her sister, Anna stared into the face of a cheerful elderly woman.
Now was not the time for this, Anna thought. She looked around the entire boat for her sister, but she was nowhere to be found.
Anna sighed and sat down in one of the few empty chairs that dotted the deck space.
She watched all the excited faces around her and realized how crazy this whole thing was and how uncertain was the outcome.
Standing to disembark, Anna glanced around once more.
“I am so sorry,” Elle said. “I don’t know what happened. I was beside you one second and then the next I was floating like in a dream,” Elle whispered in her sister’s ear. “It was like having a crazy acid trip.”
“I wondered where you had gone to,” Anna responded as she continued walking on the path along the street. There were little shops all along the road facing the water. Each building was only one or two stories tall with the occasional three-story building in different colors. “Well isn’t this quaint.”
“He was there,” Elle breathed heavy.
“What?” Anna stopped still. “Who?”
“Mikel,” Elle smiled happily. “He was reaching his hand toward me. The look on his face was…was…” Elle paused, “want.”
“Oh, so you pop out to have a lust-filled floating acid dream?” Anna huffed.
“No,” Elle countered, perturbed. “Like love.”
“Elle,” Anna started.
Elle held up her hand, “I know,” she chuckled. “I am a dead girl, but something was different. I could almost feel him, and I could hear the waves behind us.”
They both turned toward the cliffs to the small stone structure, “Are you thinking what I’m thinking?” asked Anna.
“Yes,” answered Elle, “let’s go.”
After hours hunting down a local willing to drive them up to the site on top of the cliff, they stood staring at the little stone structure. It was beautiful and familiar.
“This is how we can get back,” said Elle as she tentatively stepped toward the arched opening that was the doorway. “Anna, follow me.” Elle stopped to reach for her sister’s hand. “This is what you wanted.”
She stared at the structure. Anna placed her hands gently on her belly where life grew. “What if it hurts the baby?”
“I do not think we would have been led here if doing this would in any way harm the baby,” Elle reassured Anna. “I am walking through that opening with you,” Elle affirmed, “hand in hand.”
Anna hesitated a moment before she took a big deep breath and grabbed her sister’s hand. “What will happen?”
“I don’t know,” Elle smiled. “Maybe nothing, but it is worth a try.”
“But what if I lose you?” Anna countered.
“No matter what happens, you will eventually see me again,” she assured Anna. “You two belong together.”
The wind howled as dark clouds seemed to form overhead and the water below grew choppy.
Anna nodded. “This has been the craziest experience of my life. I love you, Elle.”
“I love you too, sis,” Elle smiled.
They held on to each other’s hand and walked through the stone opening.

Uncaged Review
Second Chance with a Highlander
Book One

I wasn’t sure how this story was going to go with the way we started – but Kate is dying of cancer and prays for a miracle. In the hospital, she loses consciousness, and she realizes it’s time – but right when the peace of the darkness begins to envelope her, she’s tossed back into life, into a body in medieval Scotland – in a body that has been tortured. When she is found by Connor and taken back to his castle, she realizes that she’s dreamed of Connor and her soul is at peace with him.

This is a second chance at life, and a second chance for two souls to find each other, over and over. Heartwarming, intriguing and engaging. The only part I wasn’t a big fan of was the epilogue. I personally would have liked it better if it was left off.
Reviewed by Cyrene

4 Stars

Uncaged Review – Shiva XIV by Lyra Shanti with Excerpt

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Shiva X1V
Lyra Shanti
SciFi/Space Opera

Prophecy rules, science rebels, and the fate of all depends on a boy named Ayn.

Predestined to become the great messiah of his people, Ayn must save his galaxy from disease and war. But when an unknown enemy threatens everyone he loves, the destiny he thought was his spins out of control.

A coming of age story amidst galactic turmoil, Shiva XIV has action, romance, mysticism, and magical creatures. Join Ayn and his friends as his journey to become a heroic legend unfolds!

*Adult themes, intended for mature teens and up.

Excerpt

“That’s The Chord!” Zin shouted as it went by.
“The Chord?“ Ayn yelled back. “What is it exactly?”
“It’s the main way everyone here commutes. We should take it into the heart of the city!” Zin happily exclaimed.
Following close behind his new friend and guide, Ayn clumsily carried his suitcase, trying his best to keep the pace. They soon went upstairs, which spiraled and seemed to go on for miles. Finally, when they reached the top, they had to wait a few minutes for the next train to slide through the opened silver dome that covered them from the smog-filled sky.
When the oval doors to the train opened automatically, Zin smiled at Ayn with a wink. It was as if this was the happiest day of Zin’s young life, and Ayn had absolutely no idea why. However, as they sat down upon the long horizontal benches, Ayn began feeling a sense of wonder and calm. It was the first time since the horror of his birthday that he didn’t feel a deep emptiness and sorrow. He even felt a small amount of Zin’s excitement as he peered through the window in order to watch the traffic of floating vehicles hovering below them.
“Look!” cried Zin. “It’s the Hithra Temple!” Ayn followed Zin’s pointed finger and looked to his right. Ayn could just make out a massive structure that had a marble surface with sharp triangular edges. He wondered what a temple was doing in a city that was known to be free of religion, but he didn’t ask his excitable friend. Zin was in such a happy state, and Ayn didn’t want to disturb him.
As the train raced through the city, it made several stops before Zin got up and motioned to Ayn that it was time to leave. The two halves of the oval door slid open and they exited the train quickly with luggage in tow.
“Where exactly are we going?” Ayn asked, already tuckered out.
“Well,” said Zin as he paused for a moment, scratching above his right eyebrow, “I think we should just head into the artist’s section of the city and see where fate takes us.”
“Fate?” scoffed Ayn. After everything that had happened, he seriously wondered if fate existed. “Aren’t your people scientists?” Ayn said with a hint of sarcasm. “Do you even believe in the concept of fate?”
“My people may not,” Zin casually replied, “but I do.”

Uncaged Review

The first book in this SciFi is a great beginning – and if you’ve never read Space Opera or you’ve wanted to and didn’t know where to start, this is a good place to begin. A very nicely thought out world, with quite a cast of characters. The main characters are Ayn and Zin, with Ayn the next savior of his people, like the next Buddah if you will. He’s also intersex, meaning he has both female and male genitalia, and I was wondering where this was going, but in this first book it is more of a coming of age story and coming to terms with his future and this aspect of his character may be left to later editions. The book was slow going the first third of the way through, but the world building and character development is superb.

The plot gets moving when Zin helps Ayn escape danger – and at this point, the reader has slogged through the slow part of the first book in a series often suffers from – the background building and getting the reader up to speed.

Just one negative is the overuse of exclamation points. I don’t feel they gave the emphasis that was intended, more of an irritant. Being the first novel from this author, I can easily shrug it off.
Reviewed by Cyrene

4 Stars