Review/Giveaway - Faythe Reclaimed by Lisa Sanchez (Sizzling PR Tour)

Title: Faythe Reclaimed
Author: Lisa Sanchez
Published: May 2012 by Tulipe Noire Press
Format: Ebook provided by Sizzling PR for review

Running through a strange forest with a bloodthirsty demon hot on her heels wasn’t Taylor’s idea of a rockin’ evening. Then again, neither was soaring backward through time and space. Time travel chafed and left a rank, nasty aftertaste. So, when she finds herself floundering amidst a sea of Commandment-loving holy rollers who fling accusations of witchcraft and bedevilment like hotcakes in a diner, finding her way home jumps to the top of her to do list. Too bad she can’t remember who she is or where she came from. And if that wasn’t bad enough, Taylor has to fall for the mysterious Latin warlock living on the edge of Salem Village and who comes to her rescue, Gabriel Castillo.


Battling an identity crisis and lost in a time that’s not her own, Taylor is determined to find her way back to twenty-first century Hanaford Park. But first, she and Gabriel must work together to uncover the dark scourge lurking in Salem's shadows, and in doing so, save their own lives, and the lives of countless innocents from a lethal date with the hangman’s noose.

I found Faythe Reclaimed to be a pretty interesting and unique story.  It starts in present time, but nearly all of the story takes place in 1692, Salem Witch Trial era.  The author, Lisa Sanchez, also used actual people from that time period as characters.  That added an extra sense of reality to the story. Also, Faythe Reclaimed is the 3^rd book in the Hanaford Park series.  I haven’t read the first two, but I didn’t get the feeling that I was lost at any point.  However, reading reviews for book 2, I think it would be a bit helpful to read that one before book 3 to get a bit of history on Gabriel and Taylor. 

This story is basically told from three points of view: Taylor (Faythe), Gabriel Present (Traveler), and Gabriel Past (Gabriel). There were a couple points where I got a bit confused between the two different Gabriels, but it didn’t take long to get back on track.

So Taylor gets yanked backwards to 1692, and is basically an amnesiac.  She doesn’t know who she is, where she is, or how in the world she got there.  But never fear, the powerful warlock Gabriel is hot on her heels, and determined to save her, no matter the cost.  And the cost is great.  The Moirai (the Fates) have commanded him to not interfere in anything that happens; the ripple effect throughout history could be disasterous.  But what kind of hero would he be if he actually listened to them?  Other Salem residents “figure out” that she must be Faythe Ellwood, who they had feared dead.  Taylor doesn’t know who she is, but she knows deep down that she isn’t Faythe.  But what can you do?  She goes with it.

                “Only fools wait for their injured opponents to rise.”

Something I really found fascinating with this story were the monsters.  Demons.  Whatever they were, they were big, bad, and ferocious.  In my opinion they were real scene stealers.  The author described them all perfectly, and they were terrifying.  I definitely would think twice before going out on my own knowing those beasts were out there!

Faythe and Gabriel meet, and they just know they are meant to be together.  Gabriel is a dreamy Latin warlock; powerful and strong, but with a giant heart.  You can’t help but fall for him.  He doesn’t live in town, he stays secluded in a cottage deep in the woods.  Solitude will keep him safe, he knows there is evil about – and that fingers are being pointed at him.

All in all I really enjoyed this story.  Like I said, I really loved the introduction of real life people into the story such as Tituba, Samuel Parris, Abigail Williams and Betty Parris to name a few.  If you are a history buff, or are interested in the witch trials, I think this story will really speak to you.  Then if you are into paranormal romance featuring sexy warlocks and damsels in distress, this story will entertain you also.  I think it will appeal to a wide audience.

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Timeless Heart - Karyn Gerrard - Review/Giveaway

Title: Timeless Heart
Author: Karyn Gerrard


Format: Ebook provided by author for review


From Goodreads:
Sandra Cranston, an elementary teacher on leave, discovers a carriage deep in the woods. Inside is a man, Jerrod Ross, who fuels all of her wicked Regency dreams and fantasies. 

Ross has been torn from the only world he has ever known—1821 Cornwall, England. How will he adjust to the future and his growing desire for the lovely lady who found him? More importantly, how will he ever return to his time?

~@~@~@~@~

The story opens with a quick prologue where we see Jerrod riding in a carriage…in 1821.  Yep, 1821.  He’s in the carriage with a couple other people, and it’s a bumpy ride in a storm.  The carriage is all over the place, and then….. heck no, I’m not telling you!

Jump to present day.  Sandra is riding along a country road when she spies a carriage tipped off the road.  Being the good Samaritan that she is, she stops to see if anyone needs help and happens upon Jerrod Ross, practically passed out cold.  She has an instant attraction.  And for some reason even she can not fathom, rather than call an ambulance or the police, she rouses him, gets him to her truck and back home to her place.

This story takes place over a pretty short period of time…. Well almost 200 years, and a couple weeks.  Sandra is an obviously hurt woman.  She is a burnt out school teacher taking a year off after tragedy struck right in front of her.  She just wants to get her head back together.  She is a very likable character, and you can see her heart from a mile away.

Jerrod is an…ahem, strapping young man.  In his time he is wealthy and prosperous.  Then suddenly he is in our time, and in the care of Sandra.  The chemistry is definitely reciprocated, although he has what is certainly understandable conflicts about what has happened.  He's in a new time and place, leaving absolutely everything he knows behind him in that carriage ride.

“Yes, Jerrod Ross, Historical Romance Hunk, was certainly

letting her forget her wretched memories and dark thoughts and, for

that alone, she was grateful.”

Do you believe that love, or the hope of love, can transcend time and space to bring two people together?  The bond these two people shared was tangible.  They quickly came to rely on each other.  I didn’t want him to go home, I wanted him to stay in our time.  It was driving me crazy thinking he was going to have to go back to his time!

Also there were some humorous parts to this story.  I find it quite funny to see such a “large and in charge” type of man become bewildered by and frightened of today's modern amenities and conveniences.  Ms. Gerrard definitely brought out the giggles in me a few times watching Jerrod trying to acclimate himself to our time in history. 

There are a few very steamy scenes also, that will make your toes curl and read a bit quicker, to find out what happens next.  The author definitely has no issue describing in beautiful vividness the seduction between a man and a woman. 

Now, of course I can’t tell you how it ends.  But it will definitely have you on the edge of your seat!  You’ll have to purchase your own copy of Timeless Heart for that – or win one here right after this review!  But if you like historical romances, this will appeal to you.  If you like modern romances, this will appeal to you.  If you like erotic romance, this will appeal to you.  And this may even appeal to you if you like a bit a sci-fi thrown in for good measure.  I really liked reading this book, and I am excited to say that Timeless Love, the sequel to Timeless Heart will be out at the end of March, early April.  So you may want to go sign up for Karyn Gerrard’s newsletter to stay informed of that! 

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And to tease you a bit more, here is the synopsis for

  Timeless Love:

1969- Underworld enforcer Joey Indelli didn't expect an English Regency era carriage to appear before his very eyes in a thunderbolt of light. Inside he discovers a disoriented beauty, the Honorable and delectable Catherine Worthington.

Catherine finds herself immediately attracted to her rough and very masculine rescuer but is determined to return to her home in 1821 Cornwall, England.

Seeing the carriage appear in front of him, Indelli believes her story but is convinced she has no choice but to stay in 1969.

Will the love that develops between them fade with their parting or somehow keep them together and prove...timeless?

Karyn has so graciously offered a copy of Timeless Heart to one lucky person!  Just fill out the Rafflecopter below!  Be sure to comment with your answer to the question in the Rafflecopter!