Book Tour & Giveaway: CONCEALED by Victoria Michaels

Title: Concealed (Hidden #1)

Author: Victoria Michaels

Genre: Romantic Suspense 18+

Publication Date: December 10, 2013

Publisher: Crazy-Bee Press

Event Organized by: Literati Author Services, Inc.

Synopsis

Life has been complicated for Sydney Ross. Desperate for a new start, she leaves home but, during her travels, witnesses something that will forever alter the path of her life. On the run for the last six years, Sydney finds herself living the life of a nomad until she one day stumbles into a small town and hopes she's finally found a place to put down roots. With a good job in a local diner and, for the first time ever, friends who feel like family, things start looking up for Sydney. The biggest shock of all is catching the eye of the town’s most eligible bachelor, the sexy sheriff, Wade Jenkins.

Sparks fly between them, and it's not long before Sydney believes Elton, Missouri could be the home she's always wished for. But Sydney's past and her secrets have a way of catching up with her. When a brutal murder shakes the small town, Sydney is terrified that the countdown has begun on her time in Elton.

Have the shadows from her past found her again? The people who mean the most want her to stay, but that would put everyone, including her daughter, at risk. Can Sydney put her faith in Wade or will she keep running from a danger that even she doesn't fully understand?

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My Review

I really enjoyed CONCEALED. Sydney is a very strong woman. While she shows a lot of emotion she is also well versed in keeping some emotions to herself. She is very dedicated to Faith and goes through every day making sure that she has everything she could ever want and more. Nothing is more important to her. She has a few dark secrets that she has been running from for years and has avoided falling for anyone. But living in Elton, she has come to care for many who are like her family. Her best friend Melissa is also quite a character. I enjoyed her matchmaking and trying to lead Sydney and Wade closer together. She is very impatient when she knows that it's good for both of them. She is also a big flirt and has grown up with  many of the people in Elton as most of the townspeople have lived there for many years. Wade is charming and mysterious with a past that the whole town knows. If was fun to watch these characters interact. I really loved the dialogue and interactions between the characters. Even Cara, Pete, and Agnes were really enjoyable.

There were some really intense moments and some really steamy ones. I read through this book very fast. I couldn't wait to finish it to see how everything would turn out. I was also surprised by the twist that comes toward the end of the book. Overall I would recommend this to anyone who loves a romantic novel. There were definitely a couple adult scenes in here so young readers be advised but it wasn't unexpected or raunchy just romantic interactions between two characters who really connected throughout the story. I have to say I would love to read another book by Victoria Michaels.

* Thank you to Literati Author Services, Inc for the review copy. =)

About the Author

Victoria Michaels is a wife and mother of many who lives her life in what seems like a constant state of motion. Kids’ sports, meetings, homework and general family fun take up twenty-seven hours of her day. In her thirty seconds of free time, Victoria likes to read, write and travel the country with her husband.

She most enjoys writing about love and laughter, two things that are central to her everyday life. If you would like to know more about what’s coming next from Victoria, please check back at victoriamichaels.net for updates, news and sneak peeks of future releases.

Connect with the Author: Twitter | Facebook |Website | Goodreads

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Review: EMBERS IN A DARK FROST by Kelly Keaton

The Fire Breathers have come. The Underworld calls. A choice must be made…

With her feared half blood and flame-colored hair, DEIRA D'ANU is a constant reminder of human betrayal and the war that claimed the light from Innis Fail. Now, darkness and frost creep across the land, strengthening the Lord of the Underworld. War is imminent—an allegiance with the Fire Breathers is vital. When their champion, Balen, sees Deira, he believes she is the key to finding the light and stopping the dark frost.

But the Underworld calls to Deira, tempting her to turn her back on a world that never cared and betray the champion willing to sacrifice everything to keep her safe and save his world from darkness.

Description from Amazon


This is one incredible novel. When I first read the summary, I knew this was going to be a great read and it exceeded my expectations. I was immediately intrigued by the world of Innis Fail, especially Deira and Balen.

There are five Houses, four of which represent the gods and goddesses. Descendants of the House of Anu have the power to control water. Those in the House of Sydhr are known as the Fire Breathers. The Houses of Taranis and Dagda represent Air and Earth respectively. The Underworld is the fifth House and is controlled by the most powerful and oldest Danaan, Nox. His goal is to make sure Deira and Balen do not succeed in returning the Light to Innis Fail.

Deira D'Anu is a very likable character. She is passionate, determined, free-spirited, and tired of living in the shadows. Having both a human and a Danaan parent, Deira is a halfling. She is regarded coldly and looked upon with fear and disgust by her family, the House of Anu. Deira's path is forever altered when she is given a chance to briefly come out of the shadows and unintentionally draws attention to herself and her bright red hair.


Balen, the King of the House of Sydhr, recognizes Deira instantly and knows he must lead her to fulfill her destiny, one that she does not know about. As the story unfolds, Deira learns more about her worlds, both human and Danaan, than she ever thought she would. She learns about trust and friendship with Balen and the Sydhr people, which is something she did not have with her own family.

I quickly read through this story and am eager for more. Kelly Keaton's writing style had me easily visualizing the scenes and brought me into the story with Deira and the other characters. I will definitely be reading this one again. I do wish that I could get a paperback or hardcover copy though as it is currently only available for e-readers.