Over the past few weeks life has been like the Wonkivator. My world has been sideways, slantways, ups and downs. That happens during this time of the year when prom season is in full tilt and my shutter finger feels like it is gonna drop off. Also, my mom was in the hospital for surgery and is now recovering, so everything is a little out of control. Okay, it was really out of control, but we're hanging in there. Thank God for my dad and brothers, plus the slew of other relatives who have been great and stepped in to help us.
Finally, I got a recovery day under my belt. Did a little surfing around the web and came up with what I thought would be a fantabulous idea—I'd read a story and review it. Who do I start with though? That was easy. I didn't even have to go far. I turned to my mom, and said, "what's cooking on paper, good looking?". After a few frowns and some askance glares, she pointed me to her next two time travels.
It was my turn to frown. Time travel? Me? Never.
She shrugged and gave me a big old – 'you asked'.
If anything, my mom is the queen of guilt trips, and yeah, I did ask for it. Luckily, she had them in thin print, so I didn't have to wait for her to e-mail them to me.
I just gotta say – the two she handed me were great. This is the thing about an old school author that I appreciate. My mom's writing is effortless.
Here are my reviews:
Master and Commander's Prey by T.J. Killian
Available at All Romance e-Books, Bookstrand, 1 Romance e-books and Amazon Kindle
Blurb:
There is only one law in his world...his.
Shiloh Montgomery-Moore is the queen of hiding in the shadows. This penchant is an avoidance dance meant to stave off her father's fists and her mother's barbs. Hot tempered, distrusting, Shiloh is determined to forge her own path in the world. Little does she know, that the path leads her to the strange anomaly know as The Veil. Whisked back in time, she finds out danger lurks everywhere and nothing can save her from a bleak future except a man of war, a master and commander.
Captain of the H.M.S. Predator, Jacob Christopher Wolfson, has his official orders–capture the French war vessel, The Bordeaux. It isn't in his strategy to be chained to a 'supposed' time traveler. Immediately attracted to the mystery woman found aboard his ship, Jacob has but one chance to save his sanity and his mission; he'll take Shiloh Montgomery-Moore to his bed or wherever the opportunity presents itself.
Review: My experience with time travel has been less than stellar. It's normally whoosh, whoosh – blah, blah, blah. Master and Commander's Prey stunned me. This is a cool novella length story with just the right amount of heat. It's not over the top on that front, but she added a little kink such as spanking and light anal play to give the story some interesting aspects.
This story is defined by the interaction between the heroine Shiloh Montgomery-Moore and Jacob Wolfson. The underlying element of the Veil, which is a staple from Mom's birthplace, brought in a level of intrigue that left me wondering how she was gonna pull off a Happily Ever After. Guaranteed there is one.
Shiloh reminds me of a twenty-something year old, modern day woman. In no way is she the goody goody girl I was expecting. She was much more than that. With her own mind, she's got the grit I come to expect from a T.J. Killian story.
Jacob Wolfson is a hero to lust for. In a way he reminds me of Russell Crowe from the movie of nearly the same name, but he's got this humanity you couldn't get from the movie. There's much more to Jacob than meets the eye.
Overall – It's not a Bella's been bad sort of story, but the plot is great and the reality these two characters eventually face is fantabulous.
The Storm's Prey by T.J. Killian
Available at All Romance e-Books, Bookstrand, 1 Romance e-books and Amazon Kindle
Blurb:
Robinson Crusoe never faced anything like this.
Forced by vile accusations to flee England for her family's sugar plantation in Jamaica, Lady Catherine Wolfson expects a smooth trip until her life is threatened by an Atlantic gale. Saved from drowning in the storm tossed seas by Zibgniew Krushenski, a man from the future, her eyes are opened to the world of basic survival and the deep, driving riptide of intimacy.
Review: The follow-up to Master and Commander's Prey, this story really has some teeth to it. It's an adventure with a romance mixed in. If you are looking for the mush and gush of a real romance, this isn't your story, but the energy driving the story is great.
Catherine reminds me of a character from Pride and Prejudice with a little hoyden thrown in for good measure. She's not a shrinking wall flower either, but she's what I would picture a young woman from the early 1800s to be.
Zbigniew is one of those guys women today swoon for. A hero. A knight in shining armor. How this character is drawn is really intriguing.
Overall—again, not a Bella's been Bad story, but the characters really shine in this story.
My suggestion – pick up both and read them back to back so you can get the full vision of T.J. Killian. She told me she is working on the follow-up to tie all three together. I can't wait.
A special bonus - leave a comment for a chance to win a copy of either Master and Commander's Prey or The Storm's Prey.
Best!
Bella
