The Splintering Place ~ Review

The Splintering Place

by Venessa Kimball

Release Date: October 18, 2021

Welcome to Gideon House. A quintessential Victorian masterpiece, with a presence bold enough to bolster a deeply rooted family dynasty, draw in the curiosities of its legacy, and sustain the darkest secrets brimming within its exquisitely aged walls.

Isabel Prado has been offered a job too good to refuse. All expenses paid and an extremely generous salary to care for the elderly Mrs. Joan Gideon - a renowned author and award-winning screenwriter of mysteries and the macabre, now suffering from Alzheimer’s disease.

As Isabel moves into Gideon House to care for the matriarch of the estate, she’s hopeful this opportunity will give her the security she’s been seeking all her life. But both Gideon House and its inhabitants are hiding sinister secrets … secrets that are slowly unleashing a trail of terrifying supernatural manifestations before Isabel’s eyes.

As Mrs. Gideon’s mind deteriorates under Isabel’s care, Isabel must determine if the ailing widow is conjuring the menagerie of horrific hallucinations through her broken mind to unveil the mysteries kept hidden within Gideon House, or if it’s Isabel’s own sanity splintering, bringing forth her haunting past she thought she left buried years ago.

Goodreads Link

Genre: Psychological Thriller/Horror

Cover Design: Mosaic Dragonfly Productions 

Not your typical bedtime story, October 20, 2021

Not your typical bedtime story. I have eagerly awaited this release for some time now, & as soon as my pre-order was fulfilled I dove in.  In hindsight probably not the best thing to do since I did not want to put it down & ultimately ended up wide awake in the wee hours of the morning no longer able to sleep as this story loves to get in your head. Psychological thriller/horror indeed! A must read....but...you might want to do so in the daylight hours. That being said, I thoroughly enjoyed this tale!! I was intrigued by the Gideon House & it's tale as well as the vast array of characters. I really liked Isa & her tios! Quincy is a riot too!! There are some not so likable characters you will soon find & some terrifying ones as well. They all make the story richer & give it depth, mystery, & fright. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!

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Vanessa Kimball

At the age of five, Venessa Kimball began writing books made of scrap paper and bound with colorful yarn. The worlds she created were about beautiful unicorns and heroines. In 2012, Venessa published her first novel as a career author. She’s currently independently published.​

Venessa is the best-selling author of eight novels. Her books fall into the categories of adult romantic suspense and science fiction/ urban fantasy thriller, as well as psychological/ horror thriller. Venessa has also published a Young Adult coming of age series for her teen readers.

​When Venessa’s not plotting a new novel or writing, she’s spending quality time with her family and three dogs in Austin, Texas.

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Charm ~ Review

Charm

A Cinderella Reversal Fairytale

by JA Armitage

Publication Date: September 26, 2017

The kingdom needs an heir and Princess Charmaine is quite aware that the job rests solely upon her shoulders. When her elder sister dies, Charmaine has to take her place at the ball designed to find her a husband. With a hundred men to choose between and her wedding planned, all she has to do is pick one.

Cynder knows about the impending war between the people of magic and those of his masters, but working as an underpaid servant in the palace kitchens leaves him with little power to do anything about it. On one hand, he's a staunch supporter of equal rights for his own kind, but he can't deny the attraction he feels for the daughter of the king and queen he works for.

When the two meet, sparks fly and not just the magical kind... 

Charm is the first in the Reverse Fairytale series by USA Today bestselling author J.A. Armitage. Take everything you think you know about fairytales and turn it on its head.

Goodreads Link

Get your copy on Amazon! 

A completely different take on one of my favorite fairytales!, September 20, 2017

Charm was my introductory to Armitage, & I am so glad I stumbled upon it. I have found a few gems lately reading all of these new takes on classics we have enjoyed for years. Some twisted, some reversed, & some completely & utterly out of this world. This one definitely falls into a few of those categories.

Armitage did a superb job on her Cinderella reversal! Her tale was different from any I've read recently, & it held my attention well after the end. I'm extremely excited to read the next book, Lucky Charm, especially after getting a taste of it at the very end of Charm! From the writing style, action, & mystery she brought to this world I will definitely be checking out her other series after I finish this one.

Endless Winter is a unique story that takes place in a beautiful world. J.A. Armitage's writing is lyrical and almost poetic. ~ Janelle Fila for Readers' Favorite

I devoured this book like a rich box of chocolates. ~ Sara C Roethle

J. A. Armitage

Born in a small town, J.A. Armitage longed for adventure and travel.

Age 20 she moved to Dublin, then to San Diego, then Sydney and back to California where she did a brief stint working at Universal Studios being a minder to Sponge Bob.

Once back in Britain she got married, had babies and decided to write about the adventure she was now missing out on. She works full time, is a mum to three kids and has had a surrogate baby.

She has skydived twice (and survived), climbed Kilimanjaro and hiked to the bottom of the Grand Canyon. She has also worked as a professional clown and banana picker amongst other jobs. 

Somehow she finds time to write.

If you'd like to get my books for free, sign up to my mailing list here http://eepurl.com/bDGV7T

Amazon ~ Goodreads ~ Website ~ Blog ~ Twitter

@armitageauthor

Last Call ~ Review

Last Call ~ Bad Habits #3

by Staci Hart

Publication Date: February 15, 2016

Once Rose Fisher makes a decision, that’s it. End of story.

Like when her ex, Patrick, dumped her out of the blue, then showed up with a super hot, tatted up sex kitten on his arm. Then it was over for good. The end. Poof. Dead to her. Except he was everywhere — down the hall, at the bar with their friends, worming his way into her dreams.

But with their friends paired off, they’re left alone more and more. Rose is determined to keep him friendzoned — doesn’t matter that he stares at her with a smolder that drops all panties in a ten foot radius. She’s over him, and she’ll prove it by getting back into the dating game, Patrick be damned.

Patrick Evans is no stranger to consequences. When your mother walks out, your dad drifts away. When you leave home, you’re on your own. And when you run away from the girl you love, you lose her. He finally has an opportunity to rebuild the bridge he burned, and it’s not one he’ll take for granted. But he’ll have to fight for her, even if it hurts. Even if it means he’ll walk away brokenhearted. Because deep down, he knows that she’s it for him. 

The trick will be to get her to admit she feels it too.

Last Call is a bestselling standalone romantic comedy and third book in the Bad Habits series.

Goodreads Link

Get your copy on Amazon!

Loved every minute of it!!!, March 21, 2016

I loved this book!! It was intense, emotional, & filled with everyday life drama plus a whole lot of awesome characters who have you begging for more! Last Call's diverse group of friends had me laughing, crying, & shouting along their journey.

Then there are the antagonists who show up inviting chaos into the daily routine. I definitely enjoyed being on the outside looking in for those instances. It's always easier for the outsiders to judge & kick those to the curb though. I guess it's all about perspective really.

Fantastic story about a romance that could end badly or be triumphant...it's all up to the one calling the shots. Are you willing to go all in & risk heartache or possible bliss? Or would you choose to break it off before any potential pain occurs? There are no set rules in the game of love. These two making a decision & following through is the maker/breaker, & I enjoyed every bit of it! 

View all my reviews

Staci Hart

Staci has been a lot of things up to this point in her life -- a graphic designer, an entrepreneur, a seamstress, a clothing and handbag designer, a waitress. Can't forget that. She's also been a mom, with three little girls who are sure to grow up to break a number of hearts. She's been a wife, though she's certainly not the cleanest, or the best cook. She's also super, duper fun at a party, especially if she's been drinking whiskey. From roots in Houston to a seven year stint in Southern California, Staci and her family ended up settling somewhere in between and equally north, in Denver. They are new enough that snow is still magical. When she's not writing, she's reading, sleeping, gaming, or designing graphics.

Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Amazon ~ Goodreads

@imaquirkybird

Cross the Stars ~ Review

Cross the Stars ~ Crossing Stars Duet #1 

by Venessa Kimball writing as V. Angelika 

Publication Date: March 8, 2016

What would you risk for love? Would you cross the stars? Steal the moon?

She is American. A commoner, an outsider. Min barra. He is Jordanian royalty. A prince, already promised to another. And their worlds are about to collide. 

A year shy of graduating from Georgetown University, Ella Wallace feels like she is losing direction. Having carved her own path through life, rejecting her family’s elitist influences, the last thing she wants is to waste time and prove her parents right. A happenstance summer-long program abroad offers the perfect opportunity to immerse herself in volunteer work, finding richness in family and purpose she has never experienced before.

Prince Rajaa bin Ammaar is returning home to Jordan from Georgetown University. His intent is to spearhead a refugee program meant to bring peace to his country. Amidst threats of civil war and revolt, Raj stands for his convictions, even when they challenge his family and the very culture he is preordained to uphold. 

A chance encounter at a crowded party in D.C. brought Ella and Raj together for one fleeting moment – two people never thought to meet again. But it’s not until their diverse worlds collide in Jordan that they realize the power of their connection. With the refugee program as their reuniting bond, they must cross the stars and defy their clashing cultures to protect their forbidden love. 

With the culturally rich Jordanian backdrop, Cross the Stars will take you on a journey into the geographical and cultural Middle East, the resilience of humankind amidst turbulent civil unrest, the parallel unrest of two lovers’ clashing fates, and the diversity they must challenge with every breath to keep their love alive. 

This book is rated 18+ for explicit sexual situations and language. 

Genre: New Adult/ Adult Contemporary Romance, 17+

Completely captivating!! This is a must read!, March 10, 2016

What begins as an everyday young adults' struggle to balance their daily lives of college, work, & family lives quickly takes on a whole new world as we are transported across the world to experience things we've only heard about from afar. The cultural differences & language being the most obvious are only the tip of the iceberg. We are quickly thrust into this unknown land hoping to make a difference, but before we know it we are on the look out for terrorists, drug lords, & a prince gone wild.

The pull of these characters is completely captivating. Their voices screaming to be heard. The twists adding spice, laughter, & grief. An exciting blend of drama, action, romance, traitors vs. loyalty, responsibility vs. desire, royalty vs. commoners, star crossed lovers, & so much more! What would you do when the expectations set upon you are so far from your hearts desire(s)?
Then there's that ending ... dangling us over a cliff then plummeting to its depths at rocket speed. Ughhh!!! I need to see how Raj & El's story will end NOW!

*This story is for mature audiences due to sexual situations & language*

Goodreads Link

Available on Amazon, Amazon UK, iTunes,  Barnes & Noble, Kobo now!

Goodreads Reviewer - “Cross the Stars is intense, hopeful, full of love and passion.”

Goodreads Reviewer - “This is a Fantastic story that I couldn't put down.”

Goodreads Reviewer - “All I can say is that this book will knock you off your feet. You're just going to have to read it.”

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Venessa Kimball

Having always been passionate about the written word, Venessa Kimball embarked on writing what would become her debut novel, Piercing the Fold: a young adult urban fantasy series in 2010, with a 2012 release with Crushing Hearts Black Butterfly Publishing. She has also written the Teen contemporary romance series, the Evan series. Venessa also writes New Adult and Adult romance under the pen name V. Angelika. When Venessa is not writing, she is keeping active with her husband and three children, chauffeuring said children to extracurricular activities, catching a movie with her hubby, and staying up way too late reading.

Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Goodreads ~ Amazon

for updates, teasers, and giveaways leading up to release! 

@VenessaKimball

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