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Uncaged Review – Into Wonderland – Haunting Fairytales Series, Book Three by R.L. Weeks

By
Cyrene Olson
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Into Wonderland
R.L. Weeks
Fantasy

‘This world is a painting and you’re going to hate the artist.’
Snow reigns over Wonderland as its new Queen and all is not well. Wendy is a dormouse, the Queen’s cat is a double agent, and the Hatter is mad. Alice has been looking for her sister, Wendy, and has finally found the magical land. Robin Hood flees his forest after the evil Clarissa takes over. He searches for the object that can kill the immortal Clarissa, which leads him to the Queen of Hearts. As Robin and Alice step through the mirror, they get a lot more than they bargained for in the strange, divided land.

Uncaged Review: Everything you have ever read as a child when it comes to fairy tales is a lie. They are anything but, and they all lived happily ever after in this third volume of darkness. We focus on Wonderland and Neverland. A place where magic and power are everything.

Even though there have been books before centered around fairy tales, this book can be read as a set or as a standalone. There are two main characters featured throughout the series known as Snow White and The Queen of Hearts in this book. We also meet Alice and The Mad Hatter and even Robin Hood makes an appearance.
I really do love these wacky versions of fairy tales by R.L.Weeks. I can’t wait for book 4 which should be out this summer. Reviewed by Jennifer

Uncaged Review – A Witch Possessed by Isabel Micheals

By
Cyrene Olson
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0

A Witch Possessed
Isabel Micheals
Fantasy/Mystery

Hildy and Chuck are desperate to begin their next ‘great adventure’, but the Goddess and Fates have other plans… to help the witch in danger embrace her destiny.

Until the Angels of Death, a talking cat, and a leotard wearing Healer invades her home, Zoe has no clue she’s been living a lie. Two claim to be ghosts, one claims to be her mate, and the other insists on her calling him dad.
Desperate to help her unconscious Aunt Viola, Zoe doesn’t know who to believe. But one thing is for sure, there’s a warlock named Alaric, who wants her dead… and dead she will be. When the energy balls start flying, things begin to heat up.
Will this band of misfits find common ground, or will magic as they know it cease to exist?
Stap yourself in and hold on to your funny bone because the little town of Bass Ackwards, TN will never be the same.
A Witch Possessed is based on the wonderful characters found in Robyn Peterman’s Magic & Mayhem series.

Uncaged Review: This series is all novella length, so the pacing is quick and the author does a nice job packing in a lot of story into the meager pages. With that said, I still had a hard time really getting into the story until I got over the half way mark. And that doesn’t really make sense, as I was smiling within a few pages, but the plot was a bit rushed and there is definite mayhem going on. This one has Zoe finding out that she’s a witch and her powers have been locked away, and when they are unleashed, she’ll need to learn to control them quickly, to defeat an evil warlock from wiping her off the planet. With help from her ghostly witch friends – Hildy and Chuck, and her father Fabio, she might have a chance.
I liked the characters, and at times I laughed out loud at some of the sarcasm and all around fun. There are a few editing issues, but nothing that’s overly distracting – it would just make it better by a well-rounded editing process and it wouldn’t feel so disjointed and chaotic at times.
Reviewed by Cyrene

4 Stars

Uncaged Review: A Counterfeit Heart by K.C. Bateman

By
Cyrene Olson
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0

To read an interview with K.C. Bateman and an excerpt from A Counterfeit Heart, please see the June issue of Uncaged Book Reviews.

A Counterfeit Heart
K.C. Bateman
Historical Romance

As Sabine de la Tour tosses piles of forged banknotes onto a bonfire in a Paris park, she bids a reluctant farewell to her double life as a notorious criminal. Over the course of Napoleon’s reign, her counterfeits destabilized the continent and turned scoundrels into rich men, but now she and her business partner must escape France—or face the guillotine. Her only hope of surviving in England is to strike a deal with the very spy she’s spent her career outrunning. Now after meeting the arrogant operative in the flesh, Sabine longs to throw herself upon his mercy—and into his arms.

Richard Hampden, Viscount Lovell, is prepared to take any risk to safeguard England from the horrors of the French Revolution. To lure the insurgents out from the shadows, he’s even willing to make a pact with his archenemy: Philippe Lacorte, the greatest counterfeiter in Europe. But when a cheeky, gamine-faced beauty proves herself to be Lacorte, Richard is shocked—and more than a little aroused. Unlike the debutantes who so often hurl themselves at him, this cunning minx offers a unique and irresistible challenge. Richard will help her. But in return, he wants something that even Sabine cannot fake.

Uncaged Review: Intrigue. Suspense. Danger. Spies. Romance. All of this and so much more expertly written into this gem of a historical. And K.C. Bateman will keep surprising you all the way into the epilogue. Characters you will easily fall for, and an intricately woven story that will keep you turning the pages. Richard Hampden, a viscount and one of the most eligible bachelors in England – is also a spy for his country. Enter Sabine de la Tour. One of the best forgers, and also known as Philippe Lacorte, a counterfeiter that has eluded Richard – and imagine his surprise that it’s really a woman and walks willingly into his office.

I had a hard time putting this one down, the author had me hooked within the first pages, and I submersed into this world very happily. Although I did not read the other books in this series, this book holds up well – even though I know a couple of the characters from previous books made an appearance in this one. This book will leap off the pages, and you will find yourself enchanted. This is the first book I’ve read by this author, but definitely not my last. Reviewed by Cyrene

Uncaged Reviews: Heart of it All series, Books 1 and 2 by Beth Donaldson

By
Cyrene Olson
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0

To read an interview with the author and an excerpt from Just a Taste, please see the May issue of Uncaged Book Reviews.

Something to Talk About
Beth Donaldson
Contemporary Romance

Welcome to Mill Falls, a quintessential Ohio town
complete with historic buildings, tree-lined streets…and gossip galore.

Glad Donahue’s ready for a fresh start. She’s got a new job, a ‘new’ old house that needs work and good friends to keep her days busy and her mind out of the past, which suits her just fine. She’s perfectly happy on her own, and she most certainly does not want a new man in her life. But then a big, burly, dark-eyed hunk of distraction shows up and throws a monkey wrench into her plans.

Mike Kovalski’s in big trouble: one date too many and the town gossips have crowned him the biggest sleaze in Mill Falls. His straitlaced boss gives him an ultimatum: date a nice girl and clean up his reputation or find another job. After the mess he made of his life, the last thing he wants is a relationship. But the clock is ticking and, desperate, Mike sets his attention to winning over the new girl in town. Because after all, what could be nicer than a librarian?

Glad is as determined to resist Mike as he is to win her, and the gossips are even more determined to blow things out of proportion. Between truth and lies, speculation and surprises, Glad and Mike end up giving the local gossip mill something real to talk about: love.

Uncaged Review:  A nice contemporary romance, that has a bit of heartbreak and a bit of danger, some humor and strong characters that are realistic enough to be your friends in any small town. But what I really enjoyed about this story, is it’s a complete story. Glad moves to a small town to be Assistant Director of the Public Library and when it comes to the new landscaping, she’s going to have to work with the firm hired for the job. In walks Mike, the gigolo of the town, whom Glad is almost instantly attracted too, but has heard the gossip and tries to keep him at a distance. But Mike was given an ultimatum by his boss, to clean up his act with women and date a nice girl, or lose his job.

Some of this is a bit unrealistic, but when Mike sets out to woo Glad, he never figured he’d fall in love with her. So when Glad finds out why Mike started to see her, will she be able to get past it?

The author keeps the interest high, and this book is never boring. Even when you think the book is going to wrap up, the author tosses in some danger to up the ante. The romance comes full circle, and romance lovers will enjoy this one. Reviewed by Cyrene

 

Just a Taste
Beth Donaldson
Contemporary Romance

Welcome back to Mill Falls, where the days are getting cooler…and the gossip’s getting hotter.

After nearly twenty years, Matt Slade has returned to Lord County with two goals: one, to go into business for himself and two, to flush out the man who fathered him and left him to an abusive childhood. But then he’s propositioned on a Wednesday night by the nicest girl in town and his business suddenly gets…complicated.

So much for acting on impulse. After being rejected-and ejected-from his bar, April has avoided Slade’s and its surly owner. But Fate-and her book club-brings them back together and an inexplicable friendship is born. Matt encourages April to take just a taste of the wild life she’s been wanting and April brings her sweetness and sunshine to Matt’s grumpy little world.

Stepping away from expectations is never easy. Gossip, family ties and a big misunderstanding puts April and Matt’s relationship on the rocks time and again but they keep coming back together, both needing the connection they only find with each other. They could be headed for the love of a lifetime…if Matt’s secret doesn’t tear them apart.

Uncaged Review: I don’t think you can go wrong with a well written, fun romance than with Beth Donaldson. As with the first book, the characters are easy to like with witty banter and interesting lives. A few characters from the last book make an appearance, and again, there is a slight bit of danger/suspense that adds that extra element of surprise to the book.

April Fonzi is the only girl in her family, with four brothers. She’s a talented artist, but it just hasn’t made her famous. She’s barely getting by, but she’s happy. Although this is a thorn in her father’s side. Matt is a local bar owner, who has some secrets of his own, and April is not his type. Well….

I did predict how this would end, but anyone who reads romances will, but the author made it a whole lot of fun getting there. I personally live in a small town, and I love how everyone gossips about everyone else, so much fun, and so true. Reviewed by Cyrene

Uncaged Review – Scandal’s Splendor by Collette Cameron

By
Cyrene Olson
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0

Scandal’s Splendor
Collette Cameron
Historical/Highlander Romance

A determined Scottish lady

Seonaid Ferguson, a lady of Craiglocky Keep, is through with London’s Marriage Mart. After learning she has the second sight, the haut ton attempts to exploit her abilities. Even though it means she condemns herself to spinsterhood, Seonaid sets a desperate course to rid herself of her gift turned curse. As she rushes home from England, a snowstorm strands her in a crowded inn with the last man she ever wished to see again. A handsome French baron who once thought her a courtesan. And just her misfortune, only he stands between her and certain harm.

An honorable French nobleman

Jacques, Monsieur le baron de Devaux-Rousset, ventures to Scotland to oversee his new investment; a silver mine near Craiglocky. Only a handsome profit will save his family’s destitute estate in France. But when the mine is beset with one problem after another, Jacques must instead search for an heiress to wed. He certainly should not be falling in love with the lovely, spirited sister of Laird Ewan MacTavish, a lass whose dowry is insufficient to restore his ancestral home. Nor should he consider, even for a moment, her risqué, but deliciously tempting scheme to rid her of the second sight.

A danger most dire

Matters are torn from their hands when a dangerous adversary vows to expose Seonaid as a witch, just as Jacques’s problems at the mine escalate into deadly violence. Is it by chance, or a dark design, that both of them are beset at once? Dare Jacques and Seonaid throw caution aside and forge a future together?

Uncaged Review: I am a huge fan of Ms. Cameron, and this story may be one of my favorites so far. Seonaid, a Lady of Craiglocky Keep, and sister to Ewan McTavish the laird of the land, has the gift of a second sight – and has visions of events that have happened, or will happen, and because of this, she leaves London where she’s been staying because the ton had wanted to exploit her sight like a circus act. In a huge snow storm, her and her chaperones, and a rector, stop and stay at an inn – which has some unsavory guests. Also in attendance, is Jacques – a Frenchman who is in Scotland to watch over a silver mine, which he has invested the last of his money into, with hope of restoring his family manor in France.

The romance between Jacques and Seonaid will break your heart, and give you hope that love will always find a way. There is danger – for both Seonaid and Jacques, and suspense. One of the things I love about Ms. Cameron, is a lot of her books and characters are intertwined and show up in other series and stories. When the historical urge hits me, Ms. Cameron is one of my go-to authors – and I’m never let down. Reviewed by Cyrene

5 Stars

Uncaged Review – A Secondhand Life by Pamela Crane

By
Cyrene Olson
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0

A Second Hand Life
Pamela Crane
Medical Thriller

A heart never forgets its last beat…

In a freak collision when she was twelve, Mia Germaine faced death and the loss of her father. A heart transplant from a young murder victim saved her life, but not without a price. Twenty years later, chilling nightmares about an unresolved homicide begin to plague Mia. Compelled by these lost memories, she forms a complicated connection to the victim—the girl killed the night of Mia’s accident—due to a scientific phenomenon called “organ memory.”

Now suffocating beneath the weight of avenging a dead girl and catching a serial killer on the loose dubbed the “Triangle Terror,” Mia must dodge her own demons while unimaginable truths torment her—along with a killer set on making her his next victim.

Uncaged Review: This is the story of a women called Mia and her ability to be connected to a murder victim through a heart transplant and vivid dreams. Mia won’t stop until she finds out what really happened to the young girl who shared her heart with her.

This was a fantastic read and I didn’t guess who the killer was until the end. I thought i knew but i was wrong.

This book will have you staying up late untill you finish it. This is my first read by this author and it won’t be my last. Reviewed by Jennifer

5 Stars

Uncaged Review: Eye of Nefertiti by Maria Lang

By
Cyrene Olson
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0

The Eye of Nefertiti
Maria Lang
Historical Fantasy

The Eye of Nefertiti is both a stand-alone novel and a sequel to The Pharaoh’s Cat. The time-traveling ancient Egyptian feline with human powers returns together with his beloved Pharaoh and his close friends, the High Priest of Amun-Ra and Elena, an Egyptologist’s daughter.

The cat is quick-witted, wise-cracking narrator as well as free-spirited, ever-curious protagonist, and the story he tells is an exotic, imaginative, spell-binding tragicomedy. The cat travels from present-day New York City to England, both ancient and modern, then to ancient Egypt, where he confronts a horrible demon and experiences a sublime emotion. Once back in England, he descends into a psychological abyss so deep only the Pharaoh can save him.

Uncaged Review: We join The High Priest and Wrappa-Hamen aka the adorable talking cat on a whole new journey, this time the duo travel to Stonehendge and back to Egypt to help a beautiful but sad Queen called Nefertiti.

This book can be read as either a sequel to to the authors debut novel, A Pharaoh’s Cat, or as a standalone novel. It was a very enjoyable book as it shows the return of some lovable characters. One of them being a talking cat. The book follows a simple storyline which I think can be read at most any age. Reviewed by Jennifer.

5 Stars

Uncaged Review – Vestiges of Valor by Kathryn Le Veque

By
Cyrene Olson
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0

Vestiges of Valor
Kathryn Le Veque
Medieval Romance/Highlander

1170 A.D. – His name is Valor.

Sir Valor “Val” de Nerra is one of Henry II’s most trusted knights. As the Itinerant Justice of East Hampshire, Val’s word is law. A fair and just man, and a very handsome one, he enjoys a good deal of attention and respect. His life is a prestigious and wealthy one until he faces a decision one day that will change the course of his life.

Val must order the execution of his love’s brother.

Val has adored Lady Vesper since the moment they met. As he strives to win her back, the king orders Val to participate in an event that will shock the country for years to come – the assassination of Archbishop Thomas Becket.

Will he obey? Or will he refuse?

From a man who had enjoyed the wealth, love, and admiration of all to a man who falls swiftly from grace, be part of Val and Vesper’s journey as Val struggles to regain what he lost and comes to understand what is truly important in life in this novel of astonishing emotion, passion, and pain.

Uncaged Review: The medieval worlds that are created by Kathryn Le Veque, are so mesmerizing and addicting, that you’d leave your own modern world of technology to travel to her worlds. This book is full of intrigue and “sitting on the edge of your seat” suspense.

This is a story of love, betrayal, suspense, loyalty and forgiveness. And Kathryn weaves the story so well, that it all intertwines seamlessly. Our hero and heroine’s trials will break your heart, and sew it right back up again. The story of Archbishop Thomas Becket and his conflict with the King and subsequent murder by the King’s followers, is actually a true story, and this bit of real world is brought into this story and stays consistent with both the fiction and the non-fiction. Medieval historical romances just don’t get any better than this. Reviewed by Cyrene

5 Stars

Uncaged Review – The Hangman’s Hitch by Donna Maria McCarthy

By
Cyrene Olson
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0

The Hangman’s Hitch
Donna Maria McCarthy
Gothic Thriller/Horror

The Hangman’s Hitch… The inn at the end of your world. Where satanic practice is the order and your soul required to pay for your stay…

Uncaged Review: Meet Sir Freddy a well to do sort of fellow finds himself at the Hangman’s Hitch. A rather odd sort of Inn filled with all sorts of crooks. One in particular called Joseph Black who takes it upon himself to take Sir Freddy under his wing and show him his way of living including stealing and murder.

I fell in love with this book from the first page and loved the relationship between Joseph Black and Sir Freddy. There were times throughout the book where I either felt sorry or hated one or both of them at some point. This book had such a great storyline and is set in the 18th century where even well to do gentlemen can do wrong. A dark gothic tale.Reviewed by Jennifer

5 Stars

Uncaged Review: Rising by Brian Rella

By
Cyrene Olson
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0

Rising
Brian Rella
Suspense/Horror

From the scorched wastelands of the Second Death a menacing demon overlord rises with the help of a teenage girl.

Trapped in an abusive home Jessie is seduced by the overlord’s power and unleashes his demon servant, Arraziel, to take revenge on her tormentors. Now corrupt by the dark overlord and with the power of Arraziel at her command Jessie begins a spellbinding journey down a path of black magic and evil.

Uncaged Review: This is a short prequel novella that introduces you to the main characters for The Second Death series. In this series, the Fallen are demons that are locked away in a realm, with Watchers keeping watch over the books that can set them free. Jessie, a 14 yr. old girl, whose family is in a downward spiral since the death of her father, can see no way out of a future step family who are abusive and freeloaders. When Jessie meets Olga, and her book store and finds the book Arraziel…things begin to change for Jessie.

I liked the originality and the storyline, and this gives you a good insight of what the story will be. Some things could be better fleshed out, but overall it’s a good prequel. Reviewed by Cyrene

4 Stars

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