Whip Smart: Lola Montez Starts a Revolution by Kit Brennan

The Sensation of Europe Strikes Again!

Lola Montez, Changes Europe and History with Cosmopolitan Panache.

"Whip Smart is a sexy, adventurous and intelligent tale that I would dare name a bodice ripper for the literary mind!"

-- Marisa Lancione, NOW, Montreal

"A fun and sexy romp! I can’t wait for the sequel!"

-- Gwyn Cready, RITA Award winning author of Seducing Mr. Darcy, A Novel Seduction and Timeless Desire: An Outlander Love Story

The Whip Smart series is based on the real-life historical adventures of Eliza Gilbert, aka Lola Montez, The Sensation of Europe.

Astor + Blue Editions presents the third installment of the Whip Smart series, Lola Montez Starts a Revolution, (ISBN: 978-1-938231-87-2, ePUB: 978-1-938231-30-8; Historical Fiction, Romance; Pub date: September 2014) the continuation of Lola’s scandalous adventures through Europe!  Lola has perfected her Spanish dance, and uses her sexy moves to her full advantage.

Lola Montez’s life is one of espionage, scandal, and adventure. She’s an independent, real woman from the 19^th century who seduces King Ludwig I of Bavaria – or, as Lola comes to know him, Luis. She is a curious free-spirit who is confident in her sexuality, a rarity in a time of patriarchy and social repression.  

In the midst of this brow-raising love affair, Lola finds herself the target of a witch hunt! Can she save herself and the man she loves from the political unrest in Europe? With a pistol in hand and a whip in the other, Lola proudly charges against the mob which wishes to tear her apart. Follow a dancer’s travels in this decadent adventure of scandal, romance, and danger.

She began her romp through history as an unsuccessful actress in Whip Smart 1: Lola Montez Conquers the Spaniards. She continued her travels through France in Lola Montez and the Poisoned Nom de Plume. Lola Montez Starts a Revolution is written in Kit Brennan’s signature zesty writing style, wonderfully blending history, humor, and romance.  And coming soon, book four—Lola Montez Seduces America—follows our flamboyant heroine to New York, Nicaragua and California

Book buy links:

Amazon: http://amzn.to/1AlBCL2

Barnes & Noble: http://bit.ly/1rNcREV

Kobo: http://bit.ly/19x18En

REVIEW:
The first thing that I noticed and really commented on was the different time period. It was intriguing to go back to time periods I'd heard about and learned about in class, but this time have a character's interpretation of things. It certainly took some time to adjust to as I don't usually read a lot of books set in the past, but once I started to get that into my head, it got easier and easier to be drawn in.

As per usual, I didn't enjoy the first person perspective. The character was lively but I just don't enjoy that perspective. It didn't take away the interest I had in the book, it's just something I like to mention. It is continuing on from the previous books, and while there were a few small details that I felt were missing, the necessary events were at least explained in sufficient detail so that you didn't feel out of the loop while you were reading Whip Smart: Lola Montez Starts A Revolution.

Time seemed to pass quickly in the novel, which wasn't a bad thing but sometimes you felt as if you were racing from event to event. Which fit perfectly with the character, you just sometimes wanted to yell at her to slow down for a moment so you could catch your breath.

Whip Smart: Lola Montez Starts A Revolution was an energetic, for the most part lighthearted book. You'll never suffer a bored moment. So if you're looking for something a bit lighter with occasional moments of sadness or anger than please give it a chance!

 Kit Brennan is the author of the bestselling Whip Smart: The Lola Montez Series, a nationally produced, award-winning playwright, and teacher of writing and storytelling at Concordia University in Montreal, Quebec. Her adventure novels are based on the real-life story of Lola Montez, a top-notch, notorious bad girl of the Victorian world. Kit divides her time between the vibrant city of Montreal and the quiet lake wilderness of Ontario alongside her husband, Andrew, and a variety of animal friends.  Whip Smart: Lola Montez Starts a Revolution is her third novel. Visit her online at www.kitbrennan.com.

Read more...

Fire Sign by M.A. Petterson

(Image found via Amazon)

Dr. Anja Toussaint's past leads her to conclude that she knows who is setting the fires at churches. But can she find the person before it leads to her own fiery death? Find the official plot on Goodreads.

In Fire Sign by M.A. Petterson, the author creates descriptive scenes that are succinct but very well done. I could honestly see the scenes playing out in front of me and it wasn't hard to understand what was happening as things were explained in terms that were easily understood. 

There was a unique style of writing that almost seemed as if there was some kind of narrator in the background, telling the story as it played out in front of you. 

Trying to figure out the main character as well as who is behind the church fires keeps things jumping and the narration is interesting, allowing readers to dive right in and finish Fire Sign quickly.

I suggest you take a look at this novella if you're looking for something to read! 

Read more...

A Very Merry Hockey Holiday by Toni Aleo

(Image found on Goodreads)

Catch up with all your favorite Assassin's players in this Christmas novella! 

I fell in love with this novella and honestly will probably read it again on Christmas Day. It just gave me the uplifting feeling that I always get with Toni Aleo as well as putting you on a small emotional roller coaster with familiar characters.

My favorite thing about this novella is the fact that we get all of our favorite characters as the focus for some part of the book. It was amazing to get that familiar perspective and see how they and their relationships had grown and changed throughout the years.

A Very Merry Hockey Holiday combines all your favorite Assassin’s characters, and just makes you want to grin, cheer, smile foolishly, and so much more. While at the same time showing the difficulties of relationships and sometimes how they work through those issues.

It also introduces the possibility of a new story and I honestly cannot wait for the Assassin’s Series to grow!

Read more...

Restless Spirits by Kathy Bryson

(Image found on Goodreads)

“You tell me the dead are coming through a crack in my barn, but I shouldn’t worry?”-Kathy Bryson, Restless Spirits

Marilee set fire to her friend's house, accidentally. That friend also happens to be very wealthy. Fearing for her job, she finds through her mother's help another job. But what she doesn't anticipate is the hot owner or the odd occurrences. Everything is not as it seems but Marilee is determined to beat it all and show them who is boss. Find the official description on Goodreads.

Okay, so I did understand Restless Spirits just a tiny bit better after reading Feeling Lucky. That being said you can read them out of order and have things make sense, it just makes better sense when you read it in order.

I definitely could find more of myself in the two main characters of Marilee and John. Mostly because they're both clumsy or accident prone which can lead to some funny incidents-incidents that if you're like me could actually happen. Which made it that much funnier. It was an enjoyable book if only for the character relationships. The only thing I didn't like was that Marilee seemed to be a bit of a witch and her attitude sometimes threw me off of her as a character.

That being said, there is some new enemies from the previous book and it was interesting how something that I viewed as a flaw in Marilee actually served her as a strength in the end. 

It was good to see characters go through certain difficulties and work their way through them, growing as they went. It's always interesting to see character growth and well it wasn't overly noticable, it did happen.

If you enjoyed Feeling Lucky than you will certainly enjoy Restless Spirits. 

Read more...

Black Moon Draw by Lizzy Ford

(Image found on Goodreads)

"Opening my eyes, I’m not surprised to see I haven’t been magically transported back to

my home." -Lizzy Ford, Black Moon Draw

A reader brought into a book world-literally. And when she arrives, it's to find that the book world isn't always the best world. Especially when that world becomes more and more real while it seems her world falls away. Naia finds herself in a world where everything is very different from her world. Fighting wars and falling in love weren't in her plan when she awoke in this world but she find herself doing both anyway. But will she give up her world for his? Or will the choice be taken from her? Find the official description on Goodreads.

I really connected with Naia and her love of books. Especially how she uses them to escape and she was a really good character even if you felt like shaking her and telling her to wake up and stop being in denial. 

I don't tend to read a lot of fantasy but I enjoyed the world that Lizzy Ford created. It was interesting and learning all the little things about it was a wonderful experience. But I do have to admit that I hate the politics of the thing. But that's just my personal opinion, I'm not a big fan of politics and plots.

Then there was the fact that we get different perspectives, from the two main characters. This allowed readers to get a glimpse at both ways of thinking and find out that maybe everyone isn't always how they seemed. It was invigorating and an amazing journey.

This book had me in pain(all emotional) and also smiling largely. I enjoyed reading it and found myself sneaking away every chance I could to read it.

I liked Black Moon Draw a lot and it had an intriguing plot that sometimes I wish was real. So take a chance and read this fantasy book!

Read more...

Hot Shot by Lynn Raye Harris

(Image found on Goodreads)

"He hadn't wanted to see her, though every once in a while he caught himself thinking of that last day together on the island." -Lynn Raye Harris, Hot Shot

Jack's an amazing sniper for the Hostile Operation Team. He saved Gina one day and after spending three days with her waiting for rescue hasn't been able to forget her. But the circumstances weren't right. Several years later, Gina calls extremely upset. Her son has been kidnapped and Jack's the only one she trusts to get him back. But there's a secret she's been keeping and it will come out. Will Jack stick around? Or will things prove too tough? Find the official description on Goodreads.

Throughout the book, Jack and Gina both become living, breathing people to the readers. We're give some of Jack's past and that helps the reader empathize with him. Not to mention understand why he does what he does even though sometimes I felt like smacking him for being a complete and utter idiot! But it was easy to understand where he was coming from. He felt guilt and was still grieving. Although I admit that in the end I was really happy with his actions. Not his past ones, but the ones he was making to make things right.

Then there's Gina. I felt bad for her because she's under constant scrutiny as a celebrity and that she's forced to deal with a situation she's not really prepared for. But she handled things really well. I felt admiration for how strong she could be at least when it counted. However she did make at least one decision that I felt she could have handled better. But at the same time I'm reminded that it's easy to look back or at characters and see everything that they're doing wrong and how they could have done better. So really she just did the best she could with what she had.

There were lots of drama, and if it wasn't a combination of action and emotional drama than it was one or the other. It kept things interesting. And there were touching scenes between several characters. Including the team. Their interactions served as some lighthearted banter that relieved a bit of tension. But it's clear that they're close. And I loved that. It was sweet. But at the same time amusing. And the nicknames were great! Although I wish I knew a bit more about the characters so that I could understand the reason behind the nicknames better. 

Hot Shot seems to be able to stand as a stand-alone but there was at least one thing mentioned that while it was explained briefly I would have liked some more background. But that's easily remedied by reading the rest of the series.

I loved reading Hot Shot and it sounds like this would be a good series! Hot Shot comes out on June 30th. You should definitely look into it!

Read more...

Red Julie by J.A. Whiting

(Image found on Goodreads)

"She thought about how the accident victim had clutched at her, pulling on her jacket, and she shuddered." -J.A. Whiting, Red Julie

Olivia doesn't believe her aunt has died of a heart attack. And when she finds herself discovering a car accident with a rather strange encounter she's even more certain that her aunt was killed. But who did it? And why? They don't appreciate Olivia looking around and the question remains. Will she survive? Or will she become another victim of the killers? Find the official description on Goodreads.

At first the beginning of the book confused me. It wasn't what I was expecting and I didn't understand why it was there. But it didn't take long to realize that it was important and it would remain important throughout the book. 

Read more...

Witch Hearts by Liz Long

(Image found on Goodreads)

"These things didn't happen to people she knew." -Liz Long, Witch Hearts

Ruby is a witch, as is her best friend Courtney so you would think they'd be safe from murderers. But what if one was able to get through their protection spells? Especially a dark magic user, someone who needs the hearts of five witches? Ruby teams up with Courtney's brother Cooper in order to find and stop the murderer. But she's also attempting to fight the attraction she has always felt to Cooper. But when she finds herself in a position she never wanted to be in will she be able to save herself? Or will Cooper suffer another loss of a loved one? Find the official description on Goodreads.

The very first chapter sounds like it's describing the beginning of an episode of Criminal Minds. I've always loved that show, even though I can't watch it after dark in a house by myself(I'm not a fan of scary, if you couldn't tell, haha).

Read more...

Zero Alternative Blog Tour!

Zero Alternative
by Luca Pesaro
Publication Date: April 25, 2014 
Genres: Thriller 
Purchase from: Amazon 
Add to Goodreads.

Synopsis

Framed, hunted, betrayed…

Scott Walker is a fugitive from the quicksands of Finance, with one card to play – DeepShare, a silicon oracle coveted by billionaires, hitmen and hackers. As he fights for survival and vengeance, digging deeper into the dark heart of the global economy, one question torments him: what price will the world have to pay?

ZERO ALTERNATIVE is an action-packed conspiracy thriller that plucks at the base of human nature. When our grip on love, hope and morality starts to slide, the only future worth living is the one we choose for ourselves.

Read more...

Nowhere to Goa: Bhang Lassis, Rickshaws, and Holy Cows by Doug E. Jones

(Image found on Goodreads)

"And, of course, he got in a jam." -Doug E. Jones, Nowhere to Goa: Bhang Lassis, Rickshaws, and Holy Cows

Scott is the twin brother of Mike, who is always finding trouble. Now he's found trouble that's landed him in an Indian jail and it's up to Scott to bring him back home. But when Mike leads him on a hunt through India and other lands, he finds himself wondering if he shouldn't live just a little. Find the official description on Goodreads.

The book is set in first person perspective from Scott's perspective. It was interesting and throughout the book Scott really has some character growth. It was interesting to read, and you found yourself questioning things that you might have always taken for granted. It was something that I enjoyed reading because it made you question things that had been set in stone. Not to mention you get to meet a lot of new people, of different religions and cultures. It gives you a good look into a new perspective.

Read more...

Birth of An Assassin by Rik Stone Blog Tour!

Hello, thank you for agreeing to this interview. Could you tell us a little about yourself as well as Birth of An Assassin?

What made you write about the Soviet, Post-War time period?

Relatives told me of their parents living in ‘The Pale’ (a barren strip of land where the Jewish population was forced to live – the reality of Fiddler on the Roof). They escaped the czarist pogroms of the late 19^th century. Some came to England, others to the US and Canada.

I looked into Jewish history in Russia and came up with an idea for a story, but it didn’t fit the time of the White Russians, so I trawled through the country's history until coming to the post-war period. Without getting too philosophical here, Jez (the hero) represents the whole of the Jewish population while Otto (the villain) is those people whose prejudice is all-consuming. Apart from it making a fit, I also took away the protagonists religion to demonstrate that it isn’t only about beliefs.

Read more...

Blog Tour: A Stone's Throw by Alida Winternheimer

 

"Sooner or late the magic will extract its dues." -Alida Winterheimer, A Stone's Throw

Simona Casale is a Minneapolis painter with a successful career. Having never

known her mother, the last thing she wants is a baby, and being at a pivotal moment 

on her artistic path, it's a bad time to find out she's pregnant. Gemma Ledbetter, a 

London homemaker, is desperate for the baby she can't have.

Simona and Gemma live an ocean apart and never meet, yet they have much in

common: art, longing, and a magic that changes both of their lives. And then there

is Peter, the man they love. Magic—like any great act of creation—comes at a 

price...and one of them will have to pay.

Art. Love. Magic

Read more...