When He Was Bad...he was better than ever. -Review!

This time I’m reviewing ‘When He Was Bad’ by Shelly Laurenston and Cynthia Eden, which are BOTH on my top ten list of authors to watch for!

As it’s a two part book, this will be a two part review. The first being ‘Miss Congeniality’ by Shelly Laurenston, the second being ‘Wicked Ways’ by Cynthia Eden.

Miss Congeniality- by Shelly Laurenston.

Typically I go on and on about how much I love a story, let’s face it, I LOVE books, it isn’t that difficult to please me if the plot is decent and the characters are charming. But this time, in honor of Irene Cornridge (Main character) I’m not going to do that. I don’t feel like her witty genius would approve such drooling enthusiastic antics (Even if I really REALLY want to!). Unfortunately I’m not nearly as smart as her and have no concept of the Chaos Theory, much like her mate Van Holtz, and so I’m not able to use all the big words she no doubt would’ve used to put me and my pitiful review to shame.

However! I hope she would be pleased to at least know that I spent my Thursday night thoroughly enjoying her amusing dry wit. She was absolutely lovely! As someone who often finds herself unable to handle social situations, and always thinking about all the work I COULD instead be accomplishing, I found her complaining to be endearing. She wasn’t like any character I’ve read so far, and that is always a big accomplishment! I read a lot, so I get used to a certain type of female lead, especially ones in shifter novels, but this one! Irene is absolutely beautiful!!! She was funny in her own way, even when no one else understood her jokes, and her brutal honesty was so refreshing, you never had to guess if she was playing games. She didn’t mess around, she said everything that came to mind, and taught you a thing or two while she did!

Not to be outdone, she has a mate, (Van Holtz) that simply refuses to be put off by what others deem to be her ‘cold demeanor’ She isn’t cold, not by a long shot! She’s clinical, but then when you’ve been kidnapped by government agents at the tender age of twelve for being too smart, who wouldn’t be?!

All in all, without giving too much away, I’ve got to say, as a novella the story was great! Typically with novella’s you can feel when they’re rushed for word count, but I kept forgetting this one wasn’t a full book. All the bases were covered! I would highly recommend this to anyone who loves a good action romance, as well as dry witty humor. If you’ve ever felt like a freak, or if you simply want to know how the other side (Smart and rich) lives, then definitely check it out!!!

Awesome read!!! Thank you, 1984! Oh and the fabulous author, Shelly Laurenston too…obviously! 

Hotter Than Hell: Excerpt

"I liked summer; I liked that I could wear my flip-flops, and that my neck didn’t get cold when I wore my hair back, and that I could paint my toe nails, and they wouldn’t be hidden beneath snow boots, or tennis shoes. I liked not having to wear gloves to scrape snow off my car, and being able to walk down the street for a coffee, without freezing my ass off. Ok, so I didn’t like sweating to death either, but hey, some sacrifices were worth making. I liked the freedom summer provided. Which was why I was able to walk to the coffee shop in only my sandals, a tank top, and a pair of jogging shorts, even though it was almost midnight. I would have liked it even more, except that I lived on the very edge of the bad part of town, and sometimes late at night, you could hear people scream. Tonight was one of those nights."


- An Excerpt from something I am working on, called: Hotter Than Hell


"I'm already hooked before even looking at any of the chapters.. if your chapter writings are anything like your hook at the end of this excerpt, then I don't have any doubt that I will really like whats to follow as well. Looking forward to reading more!" - review from reader on writing. com

-cssndrmks ©

Letters of the Past: A working title.

I do not own this image. 

Writers Cramp Entry, 1,000 words or less.



 My dearest Ann,


Though we did not know each other well- I know this letter may come as a shock to you. I am your Great Aunt Meredith. A sister to your grandmother, on your father’s side. I know they recently passed away, and your grandmother has as well, leaving you to your fate as a young woman alone in the world. Your mother left you her bookstore, 'The Howling Pages,' and your father left you a small sum of money to temporarily tide you over. Your grandmother left you nothing- not even a word of my existence.

I had intended to come to your aid the moment I heard, but recent events due to my health have kept me in my sick bed. I want you to know I have always loved you, and thought about you; especially in my recent years as I had no children of my own. A long ago quarrel with your grandmother kept me away, and I regret that we never had a chance to know each other.

If you are getting this, then I am afraid that I have passed on, as per the will I have left in your name. Included with this letter, I have two photos. One of which is of you and I. You were only three, so you will not remember me, but this has always been a treasured memento of mine, and I hope you enjoy it as much as I have.

The second photo is of my house, here in Ireland, it is now yours, along with all my worldly possessions and finances. Your grandmother talked your parents into hiding this part of your past, so I am not surprised that you are probably now thinking I have the wrong girl, though I assure you I do not. Also in the bottom of this box, you will find a postcard. This is also very near and dear to me as it is the first letter your great Uncle ever sent me, while he was away on missions. It is of the place were you were born. I regret that I will not be here to explain what I mean by this, as your parents have no doubt told you, that you were born in a hospital near Cleveland, as is normal for any human born child. You must trust that I have set everything up accordingly. You will be well taken care of, and a close friend of mine will stop by the first night you arrive to explain further.

Lastly, inside the wooden box, you will find a pair of earrings. They may not look like much now, simple little silver studs but I promise they hold great power. Though you do not have to wear them, they will protect you as long as they are near your person. Protection from what; you may ask. That is all for Gregoire to explain.
Love, Meredith Sinclair McAlister.

P.S, I love you, as I have always loved you, I will continue to do so. Remember, when you are surrounded by enemies trust in your partner. He will never steer you wrong.

###

Anne McAlister stared up at the magnificent mansion, her mossy green eyes wide with awe. Her hands trembled, and the letter she held shook as she reached up to slide the skeleton key into the lock of a massive, wooden door. A light inside clicked on, and the monstrous Oak door swung open easily. Not a single sound other than the click of her heels on the cold marble entry as she ventured cautiously inside. Unfortunately no one greeted her, as she had hoped.

Once inside she closed the door gently behind her, and shrugged out of her thin spring jacket before hanging it only the intricately decorated coat rack beside the door. Below, an umbrella stand with a single green umbrella in its center stood idly. Nervous, Anne opened the letter once more, and scanned its contents to make sure she had the right address. Confident, that she was exactly where she was supposed to be she refolded it and slid it into the back pocket of her jeans. Her heels clicked softly as she slowly walked across the entry and opened the first door she came to. Carefully, she peeked inside, then drew back with a gasp at the site of the three men sitting just inside, at a small marble café table.

Among the three, one male with piercing green eyes and jet-black hair stood. His crystalline gaze raked over her entire body casually then up to her eyes. He scowled. “You’re Anne McAllister?”

“Is this your house? I didn’t mean to intrude, I was looking for the residence of Meredith McAllister…Wait- how do you know my name?” It seemed to take a moment for the realization to dawn, and she was confident she had the right place now.

“This was her house. It is yours now. Welcome to Stonewall Sanctum.” He spoke with an Irish accent that made her toes curl and her heart hammer painfully.

If not for the nervous flutter of her pulse, she might have found the man attractive. As it was, she was still trying to figure out what it was she was doing here.

Anne carefully raised her chin, and squared her shoulders. “Why is it called the Sanctum,” she demanded.

“There is the take charge McAllister we all know and love, peeking through the blood lines,” commented one of the other men, still sitting at the café style table. The third raised his mug and took a sip, then smiled with a nod and placed it gently back on the table.

“This is Stonewall Sanctum, a sanctuary for Other Kin. As the only remaining heir, you are its new mistress. Congratulations. “

Anne raised one eyebrow skeptically, and crossed her arms. “And what pray tell is an Other Kin?”

“You are a member of the Tuatha De’Dannan- a highly recognized member of the Fay race.”

“Me?”

-cssndrmks ©