Waking Hearts Cambio Springs #3 Elizabeth Hunter Genre: Paranormal Romance Release Date: November 24, 2015
When everything you’ve longed for is standing right in front of you, would you find the courage to chase it when you’ve given up on dreams?
Fox shifter Alison Smith gave up on happy endings when her ex-husband walked out, but that didn’t mean she was allowed to give up on happiness. With four growing kids, Allie is determined to look on the bright side and carry on, even when life seems to keep kicking the girl who’s fallen down.
Four kids, two jobs, and a pile of debt left over from her ex seem overwhelming most days. Luckily, Allie has the best friends a girl could ask for. Especially a certain quiet bear who’s always been her rock.
Patient. Oliver Campbell knows what it means to be patient. But twenty years of wanting one unavailable woman may have pushed him to the edge. With Allie working every night at his bar, their friendship has begun to fracture.
Then old ghosts offer one more kick to the little family that’s already down, and patience is a virtue Ollie can no longer afford. Allie’s ex-husband may be gone, but his actions are haunting his family. With danger licking the borders of Cambio Springs, the bear and the fox will have to work together. And twenty years of unspoken truths may finally come to light.
WAKING HEARTS is the third paranormal romance novel in the Cambio Springs Mysteries series.
You can purchase your copy today at the retailers listed below!
There are times when I am so excited for a book to be released, one that I have been longing to read, and I get nervous that I have hyped myself up to levels that cannot be achieved. I have some high standards, especially from one my favorite series and authors. There are times when those worries are all for naught because the author seems to know exactly what you want, when she realizes that this is a big deal and she create a story that will captivate your heart and give you the happily ever after you have been hoping for for several books. Elizabeth Hunter, thank you. Ollie and Allie could not have had a better story. It was beautiful, vibrant, full of hope, heartache, life, and true love.
Waking Hearts is a beautiful story of the hopeful chance to finally have what you desired for as long as you can remember. Fans of the Cambio Springs series will be so happy and content with what happens between the covers of this book. Ollie finally gets the girl. (<<That sentence makes me smile!) He grabs hold of the love of his life and cherishes her. I loved watching this grizzly bear of a man wrap Allie and her kids into his arms and fiercly protect them at every turn. He is a man who is rough around the edges but the softness and genuine love he feels for this family is enough to melt the hardest of hearts. Oliver Campbell is a book boyfriend to throw into the running for best book boyfriend of all time. This man has waited decades to be with the woman he loves coupled with the entire persona of who he is, well that is exactly what I find the most attractive in my book boyfriends.
Allie is such a beautiful heroine in this story. She is fierce, tenacious, and kind. Her love of family knows no boundaries. She is caring, loving, and soft-hearted. Watching her move past tragedy and learn to embrace who she was as a single mother was a beautiful process to watch. As she learned to love with abandon romantically and receive that love in return, it was a transformation of an already wonderful character into something precious. She is a fierce mother and her investment and sacrifice for her children was everything you want to see in a mom.
The romance between these two is perfect. In Desert Bound, we see the connection between Ollie and Allie, a friendship that never had a chance to grow since Allie was married to Joe. Ollie’s feelings are never denied in the series but he respects her and loves her and her family from afar for years. I loved getting to see how it all started for Ollie and when he fell in love with Allie. It was sweet. When Ollie’s intentions are known and Allie is able to look into her heart and return those emotions, these two click. There is passion, decades long friendship and camaraderie, and a connection that could never be severed. They had sweet moments and moments full of longing and desire. These two compliment each other SO well and that makes the romance solid and epic.
As with each book there is a threat that takes a every clan to neutralize. This book was no different. It was full of mystery and intrigue, a story that gives the reader more than a beautiful romance. I loved how the clans are so interactive in everything that happens. They are a family and that family will do anything and everything to keep one another safe. There are lies, dangers, and unknowns lurking in the dark and when those things all come to light it is an adventure that will have your head spinning. This book introduces more of the clan and also adds an overarching mystery that will hopefully be developed more in the next book! Hunter has aced this story and I am even more excited for this series!
“Waiting on” Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Jill from Breaking the Spine that spotlights upcoming releases that we’re eagerly anticipating. I am ready to be swept away by Beneath the Waning Moon by Elizabeth Hunter & Grace Draven !
I cannot remember the last time I read a Gothic romance. I feel like the last Gothic inspired book I read was Ann Radcliffe, which was such a long time ago. But I am a huge Elizabeth Hunter fan and if she writes it, I will read it. I am excited to get this book and dive in in a few weeks! I cannot wait to read these two stories and fall into something magical and dark, captivating at every turn! Beneath The Waning Moon is LIVE on October 1, 2015! Make sure mark your calendars and add it to your Goodreads TBS list! Check out the synopsis below.
Two delightfully dark tales of Gothic romance from Elizabeth Hunter and Grace Draven.
In A VERY PROPER MONSTER, Josephine Shaw spends long nights filling the pages of her Gothic stories with the fantastic and the macabre, unaware that the suitor her father has arranged is one of the dark creatures she’s always dreamed. For Tom Dargin, courting an ailing spinster was only one duty in a long life of service to his sire. But after he meets the curious Miss Shaw, will Tom become the seducer or the seduced? Can a love fated to end in tragedy survive a looming grave?
In GASLIGHT HADES, Nathaniel Gordon walks two worlds—that of the living and the dead. Barely human, he’s earned the reputation of a Bonekeeper, the scourge of grave robbers. He believes his old life over, until one dreary burial he meets the woman he once loved and almost married. Lenore Kenward stands at her father’s grave, begging the protection of the mysterious guardian, not knowing he is her lost love. Resolved to keep his distance, Nathaniel is forced to abandon his plan and accompany Lenore on a journey into the mouth of Hell where sea meets sky, and the abominations that exist beyond its barrier wait to destroy them.
The Scarlet Deep Elemental World #3 Elizabeth Hunter Genre: Paranormal Romance, Suspense Publication Date: July 7, 2015
On the waves of the North Atlantic, a poison spreads, sapping the life from humans and striking madness into immortals.
Patrick Murphy, the immortal leader of Dublin, has been trying to stem the tide of Elixir washing into his territory, but nothing seems to stop the vampire drug. While others in the immortal world work to cure the creeping insanity that Elixir threatens, Murphy has been invited to London to join a summit of leaders hoping to discover who is shipping the drug. If Murphy and his allies can cut off the supply, they might be able to halt the spread long enough for a treatment to be found for the humans and vampires infected.
Anne O’Dea, Murphy’s former lover, retreated from public life over one hundred years ago to help immortals in need… and to heal her own broken heart. Though powerful connections keep her insulated from the violence of vampire politics, even Anne is starting to feel the effects of Elixir on her isolated world. The human blood supply has been tainted, and with Anne’s unique needs, even those closest to her might be in danger. Not just from infection, but Anne’s escalating bloodlust.
When Anne and Murphy are both called to London, they’re forced to confront a connection as immortal as they are. As they search for a traitor among allies, they must also come to terms with their past. Behind the safe facade of politics, old hungers still burn, even as an ancient power threatens the fate of the Elemental World.
It is no mystery that I love Elizabeth Hunter’s writing. She weaves world of paranormal intrigue with the skill of the greatest authors in the land. Her characters are witty, intelligent, and authentic. They are full of life and vibrancy. Couple those attributes with a world full of mystery and fantastical circumstance, well you have yourself a book and series that becomes addicting. Anne and Murphy’s story was nothing short of fantastic, taking the reader a bit deeper into the Element World and giving us more of a mystery to ponder.
The Scarlet Deep is the perfect third installment to the Elemental World series. We see cameos of characters featured before in this series and I loved seeing my favorites work along side my new favorites. Anne and Murphy’s characters are brilliant. Murphy has been seen in glimpses throughout the entire series and I was so excited to finally learn more about him. Something about his personalty was always alluring and now I understand the full extent of that allure. Anne is a strong and capable female lead. She is determined, kind, and fresh. When you add in the fact that these two are vampires, the sky is the limit as to what Elizabeth will share with the world next.
One thing I loved about this book (and all of Hunter’s stories) is that there is a well developed romance but SO much more. The romance between Anne and Murphy is a beautiful story of second chances and the choices of two lovers to set aside their desires and ambitions. These two are better together than they are apart. They inspire and spur one another to better things and that makes them a fresh and wonderful couple. These two are full of passion, desire, and love. Their interactions are full of intent. I loved watching them both learn to love what each other has become and respect the change that the past 100 years has had on them individually. They are each a force to be reckoned with separately but together, they have the power to influence Dublin, and the vampire world as a whole, in a powerful way.
The mystery aspect of this story is something that has carried on throughout most of the Elemental books. The Elixir, a potion that kills vampires and humans alike, is running rampant throughout Europe and beyond. It is up to the leaders in the vampire world to find a solution and cut off the head of the beast. There are many new players introduced and many new nations. I was excited to meet new leaders and learn more about faces we had breifly met in the past books of the series. The development of the Elixir problem is well paced and exciting. We see the danger surrounding this issue first hand. There is death, both violent and painfully slow, associated with this drug. It is something people will kill for. Watching Murphy and Anne attempt to solve this problem added another element of depth to their characters. They are intelligent and shrewd, seeing things in a new light and fighting for answers.
There is so much goodness in this story that I could spends hundreds of words and countless hours raving over this book. Elizabeth Hunter keeps adding more jewels to her Paranormal Queen crown and I happily wait on bated breath for more. This story has a beautiful ebb and flow, a love story that is timeless, and a mystery that will leave you wanting more. I am excited for more of this series and to see who is featured next!
You can purchase your copy of The Scarlet Deep at the retailers listed below!
“Waiting on” Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Jill from Breaking the Spine that spotlights upcoming releases that we’re eagerly anticipating. I am beyond excited for THE SCARLET DEEP by Elizabeth Hunter!
I cannot wait to return to Hunter’s incredibly fantastic Elemental Series and dive into an intricate paranormal world that I would love to live in. I am excited to dive into the lives of some characters we have met in the past books and to see glimpses of some of my favorites! This book is live on July 7, 2015 and I can hardly wait! Check out more on Goodreads and get excited! The synopsis is below for your enjoyment!
On the waves of the North Atlantic, a poison spreads, sapping the life from humans and striking madness into immortals.
Patrick Murphy, the immortal leader of Dublin, has been trying to stem the tide of Elixir washing into his territory, but nothing seems to stop the vampire drug. While others in the immortal world work to cure the creeping insanity that Elixir threatens, Murphy has been invited to London to join a summit of leaders hoping to discover who is shipping the drug. If Murphy and his allies can cut off the supply, they might be able to halt the spread long enough for a treatment to be found for the humans and vampires infected.
Anne O’Dea, Murphy’s former lover, retreated from public life over one hundred years ago to help immortals in need… and to heal her own broken heart. Though powerful connections keep her insulated from the violence of vampire politics, even Anne is starting to feel the effects of Elixir on her isolated world. The human blood supply has been tainted, and with Anne’s unique needs, even those closest to her might be in danger. Not just from infection, but Anne’s escalating bloodlust.
When Anne and Murphy are both called to London, they’re forced to confront a connection as immortal as they are. As they search for a traitor among allies, they must also come to terms with their past. Behind the safe facade of politics, old hungers still burn, even as an ancient power threatens the fate of the Elemental World.
I love Elizabeth Hunter’s writing so much and I cannot wait for more from the Elemental Mysteries Series! I am honored to help share with you the beautiful new cover for the latest (soon to be) installment of the series! Check out the fabulous cover, synopsis, and excerpt from THE SCARLET DEEP!
On the waves of the North Atlantic, a poison spreads, sapping the life from humans and striking madness into immortals.
Patrick Murphy, the immortal leader of Dublin, has been trying to stem the tide of Elixir washing into his territory, but nothing seems to stop the vampire drug. While others in the immortal world work to cure the creeping insanity that Elixir threatens, Murphy has been invited to London to join a summit of leaders hoping to discover who is shipping the drug. If Murphy and his allies can cut off the supply, they might be able to halt the spread long enough for a treatment to be found for the humans and vampires infected.
Anne O’Dea, Murphy’s former lover, retreated from public life over one hundred years ago to help
immortals in need… and to heal her own broken heart. Though powerful connections keep her insulated from the violence of vampire politics, even Anne is starting to feel the effects of Elixir on her isolated world. The human blood supply has been tainted, and with Anne’s unique needs, even those closest to her might be in danger. Not just from infection, but Anne’s escalating bloodlust.
When Anne and Murphy are both called to London, they’re forced to confront a connection as immortal as they are. As they search for a traitor among allies, they must also come to terms with their past. Behind the safe facade of politics, old hungers still burn, even as an ancient power threatens the fate of the Elemental World.
You can pre-order your copy at the retailers listed below!
“You’re very presumptuous,” Anne said. “You do know that, don’t you?”
“It may have been mentioned once or twice.”
She didn’t pull away, so he brushed his lips over hers, nibbling on the full lower lip he adored. In seconds, it was his hunger that was spiking.
“Sadly, our rooms are not ready yet,” he said. “Otherwise, I’d steal you away for a private conference before our meeting tonight.”
“A private conference? Is that necessary, Mr. Murphy?”
“Very necessary, Dr. O’Dea.” He spoke against her lips, teasing her mouth with fleeting touches and heated breaths. “It’s imperative that Ireland be of a single mind during this summit.” Murphy slid a hand around her waist, ignoring the rush of servants and security that bustled around them. He pulled her closer, pressing his body into hers.
“A single mind?” Her eyes were clouded and her fangs had fallen.
“Indeed. Coordination is key. We’ll need to work very, very closely throughout any negotiations. Proper discourse is vital.”
“Discourse? I’m not sure the discourse you’re interested in is proper at all.”
The corner of his mouth lifted. “Nonsense. I am a consummate professional in all things.”
“You consummate professionally? That’s fascinating. And possibly illegal. You’ll have to check the local regulations.”
He’d managed to back her into the wall, but Anne wasn’t trying to escape. Bloody hell, he’d missed playing with her like this.
THE SECRET Irin Chronicles #3 Elizabeth Hunter Genre: Paranormal Romance Release Date: March 19, 2015
Only when the darkness falls can you see the light of the stars.
For thousands of years, the scribes and singers of the Irin race have existed to protect humanity and guard the gifts of the Forgiven. They have lived in the shadows. They have kept their secrets.
But the Irin aren’t the only race with secrets.
Ava and Malachi have found each other, but wounds as deep as theirs don’t heal overnight. While the Irin world struggles to correct the power imbalance left by the Rending of the Irina, Malachi and Ava struggle to connect their past with their present.
The Fallen may scheme, but Ava has found her power and refuses to be an angel’s pawn. And while Malachi may have forgotten his history, the scribe’s relentless search for answers leads both him and his mate to the heart of the Irin power structure in Vienna, where knowledge is guarded more closely than gold and those with power will do anything to keep it.
Malachi and Ava have survived the darkness, but will they ever discover its secrets? A powerful cabal of the Fallen may hold the answers, but to surrender them, it wants the Irin race to finally face their enemies. Both those coming from the outside, and those raging within.
THE SECRET is the third book in the contemporary fantasy series, the Irin Chronicles, and the conclusion of Ava and Malachi’s journey.
You can purchase your copy at the retailers listed below!
How do you even begin to describe a book that you have longed to read for so long and then you do and it exceeds all your hoped it would be? Well, let’s see if I can describe what I loved and how much I loved everything about this book! THE SECRET is the perfect ending to my one of my all time favorite series! Elizabeth Hunter has brought all the mysterious loose ends together in an incredible, adrenaline laced story of passion, truth, and new beginnings. Ava and Mal are so brilliantly written that they leap off the page, causing you to connect with them in a real way and want to fight along side the cause.
Watching Ava develop throughout the series has been one of my favorite things to watch. She is a beautiful soul and to watch her embrace her destiny and become a vibrant beacon of hope- that is one of my favorite themes. She is full of life and her growing confidence is something that is inspiring. Ava has always been strong to live with the voices and pressure of who she was without even knowing what that is. When she starts to find answers, her world is forever changed. In this book, we see a woman with still so many questions but a determination to protect those she loves and the life she wants. As she learns the stunning truth, she embraces her destiny and fights for what needs to be.
The relationship between Mal and Ava is intense and passionate. At the end of THE SINGER, the old Mal is starting to come back but there are so many gaps from his past and his time with Ava that is was a bit disheartening. Their relationship is so well developed in their undeniable connection and support of each other. I loved watching them fight for what they wanted and the love that continued to grow. They are reshon (soul mates) but that original connection is the foundation that keeps them going and a falling in love on an even deeper level, When the defining moment of their relationship happens and the mating ritual is completed, it is absolutely perfect and emotional. I loved their commitment to each other and the lengths they will go to be together and provide for one another. Their reshon relationship is the perfect give and take, which makes them stronger together than they would ever be apart.
In THE SCRIBE and THE SINGER, we see small glimpses of The Fallen Angels and in THE SECRET their plans are brought to light as they interact more with Ava, Mal, and the Irin. This books takes everything we know of the Irin race and the Grigori race, turning it on it’s head and setting the reader on an unforeseen adventure. I loved how the reader is on the same level as the Irin. The reader learns the truth and experiences new revelations in what the Irin know at the same moment of truth, which adds more mystery and excitement to the story. All I knew was that I wanted answers but I never expected what Elizabeth Hunter had in store. This story is full of twists and turns, taking everything we knew about this world and turning it on it’s head, while blowing up with new information in order to tie up all the loose ends and answer all our questions. It was never what I expected to happen but made perfect sense in the end.
THE SECRET is the best possible ending to the Irin Chronicles. As much as I loved Giovanni, Beatrice, Murphy, Tenzin, and the gang from the Elemental Series, the Irin Chronicles is by far my favorite from Elizabeth Hunter. She takes us on an adventure that draws the reader into a world of mystery, passion, ancient history, and excitement. I loved being able to explore the world of Irin while being whisked away to some of my favorite physical places in the world. The rich historical culture of the world around them coupled with the Irin race created a world that you will never want to leave.
Want to see more of where Malachi and Ava met? More about the Irin race? See incredible places and detailed histories? Then make sure to check out THE SCRIBE and THE SINGER. Check out the series on GOODREADS! This is one series you will not want to miss!
Elizabeth Hunter is a contemporary fantasy, paranormal romance, and contemporary romance writer. She is a graduate of the University of Houston Honors College and a former English teacher. She once substitute taught a kindergarten class, but decided that middle school was far less frightening. Thankfully, people now pay her to write books and eighth-graders everywhere rejoice.
She currently lives in Central California with her son, two dogs, many plants, and a sadly dwindling fish tank. She is the author of the Elemental Mysteries and Elemental World series, the Cambio Springs series, the Irin Chronicles, and other works of fiction.
Want to know more about Elizabeth Hunter and what she is up to? Check out her social media links listed below!
I am beyond excited to share with you the cover of one of my most anticipated books of 2015! I have loved every single book Elizabeth Hunter has written but the Irin Chronicles is probably my favorite series so far! The Secret is the third and final book in the series and I an dying to know what happens! Check out the cover, the synopsis, and a teaser from the book!
Only when the darkness falls can you see the light of the stars.For thousands of years, the scribes and singers of the Irin race have existed to protect humanity and guard the gifts of the Forgiven. They have lived in the shadows. They have kept their secrets.But the Irin aren’t the only race with secrets.Ava and Malachi have found each other, but wounds as deep as theirs don’t heal overnight. While the Irin world struggles to correct the power imbalance left by the Rending of the Irina, Malachi and Ava struggle to connect their past with their present.
The Fallen may scheme, but Ava has found her power and refuses to be an angel’s pawn. And while Malachi may have forgotten his history, the scribe’s relentless search for answers leads both him and his mate to the heart of the Irin power structure in Vienna, where knowledge is guarded more closely than gold and those with power will do anything to keep it.
Malachi and Ava have survived the darkness, but will they ever discover its secrets? A powerful cabal of the Fallen may hold the answers, but to surrender them, it wants the Irin race to finally face their enemies. Both those coming from the outside, and those raging within.
THE SECRET is the third book in the contemporary fantasy series, the Irin Chronicles, and the conclusion of Ava and Malachi’s journey.
To see early reviews of The Secret and find out more information about the book, the series, and Elizabeth’s writing, check out GOODREADS. If you want exclusive teasers and extras from Elizabeth, make sure to join her MAILING LIST! For your chance to win an ARC of The Secret, you can visit Elizabeth’s FACEBOOK PAGE and her WEBSITE.
“What are you thinking?” she asked.
He was thinking about Volund’s unexpected ability to invade his unconscious, but he didn’t want to bring it up. Luckily, his mind could turn to pleasant things very quickly when he was with her.
“Do you really want to know?”
“Yes. I wouldn’t have asked if I didn’t.”
It was true. Ava wasn’t a woman who felt the need to fill the air with chatter. He wondered if years of traveling alone had trained it out of her, or if the constant voices that had once plagued her were company enough.
“I am thinking… you’re very beautiful.”
He loved the slight flush she gave him when he complimented her. It made the offer of his praise all the more satisfying.
“You’re the only one who’s ever said that,” she said.
He was surprised, but not overly. Humans could be very superficial, and Ava’s physical features were not the most astonishing thing about her. Pretty, but not uncommonly so. Clear skin. Dark hair. Her eyes were the most arresting part of her face, but only other Irin would recognize the unusual shade of gold as anything more than light brown or amber.
No, it wasn’t her physical features that were remarkable. And Malachi loved that only he saw the secret of his mate.
Her beauty lay in her mind and her heart. Quiet strength and resilient humor were not things valued enough by the world.
“Hmm.”
She gave him a quiet smile.
“You always did that,” she said. “Before. ‘Hmm.’ You’d be thinking something you didn’t want to say, but I knew it was about me when you would say, ‘Hmm.’”
“I often think about you.”
“That’s probably a good thing.”
They were sitting across from each other in the compartment. He put his foot on the edge of the bench beside her, enclosing them. Doing his best to block out the world. Ava set down her camera and slid a hand up his pant leg, her fingers playing along his skin.
“I think about you, too,” she said. “Some would say I’m obsessed.”
“And you take pictures of me when I sleep. I hear the clicking in my dreams. It’s borderline stalker behavior, really.”
The Scribe Irin Chronicles #1 Elizabeth Hunter Genre: Contemporary fantasy, Paranormal romance
Hidden at the crossroads of the world, an ancient race battles to protect humanity, even as it dies from within.
Ava Matheson came to Istanbul looking for answers, but others came looking for her. A reckless warrior guards her steps, but will Malachi’s own past blind him to the truth of who Ava might be? While ancient forces gather around them, both Ava and Malachi search for answers.
Whispering voices. Deadly touch. Their passion should be impossible… or it could be the only thing that will keep them alive.
You can purchase your copy of The Scribe at the retailers listed below!
The Scribe is the beginning to the Irin Chronicles by Elizabeth Hunter and it is probably going to go on record as my favorite series from her. Everything I have read by Elizabeth has been devoured. She has an incredible quality and intriguing writing style that draws you into a world that is fantastic and genuine. The Scribe is a book that takes you on a whirlwind adventure filled with passion, life, intrigue, the supernatural, and epic storytelling. This book focuses on Malachi, a Scribe, and Ava, a woman he encounters while she is traveling in Turkey. Ava is no ordinary woman; she hears whispering voices in her head and has her whole life. She has been shipped to doctors and specialist but no answers were ever presented to her family. She learned to deal with the voices and live her life as unaffected as possible. Malachi is part of ancient race of men who preserve the history of the world and protect humanity from the evil that lurks. Ava is a miracle and Malachi will do whatever it takes to keep her safe.
There are so many things that I love about this story. First, I loved the settings and exotic places our hero and heroine travel to. There are so many different and fascinating places they go to. Elizabeth does an incredible job of describing the cities and places they visit, giving the reader a vivid picture of where things are happening. Each location is filled with so much history and culture! That creates a rich backdrop for this story.
Another favorite part about this story is the culture of the Scribe world that Elizabeth created. There is mystery and a lure into such a beautiful supernatural world. The community and history of the Scribes is so interwoven with religious and cultural stories that it makes something fantastic so realistic and plausible. The world of the Scribes is developed so that the reader is gleaning information from every page. We see Malachi’s interactions with his brothers at the Scribe house. We watch Ava learn about who they are and what her role in their world is. We see their connection click and the road that they both must take for more answers. Through each personable interaction, the reader learns more of the this new world, the Scribe’s enemies, and what that danger means for Ava.
The story is woven together deeply by the theme of community. The Scribes live in such deep brotherhood. One’s struggle is uplifted and shared by all the others. The way that they welcome Ava into the fold is beautiful. Watching Ava and Malachi’s romance unfold was perfect. Their connection is deep and their hearts are melded together. Their partnership is strong and benefits the community greatly.
As for the audiobook portion of the review, this story is read wonderfully. The narrator has a rich voice that brings the story to life in such a way that you are captivated. The different accents and personalities shine through in this narration. The pace is well done, never too slow and dull. The emotion from Ava and the Scribes bleeds into the narrator’s voice, creating a gripping encounter that you will not forget! I listened to this audio book when I would be at work and in the car. More often than not, when I arrived at my destination I would sit in my car listening for a little while longer. The story has a way of drawing you in, and listening to the audiobook allows you to enter into the story at a different level, sparking your imagination and engaging you completely you in the story being read!
Desert Bound Elizabeth Hunter Release Date: October 14, 2014 Genre: Paranormal Romance
Can you turn the clock back on your first love? Would you even want to try?
Alex McCann and Teodora “Ted” Vasquez left Cambio Springs together. Ted came back. Alex didn’t.
Now, years later, the future alpha of the McCann wolves has returned with plans to bring new life to the dying desert community. Plans that could change everything for the isolated enclave of shapeshifters in the California desert. Some love the plan. Others hate it.
As the town’s doctor and one of the strongest daughters in the cat clan, Ted has her own concerns about exposing her community to outsiders. The two former lovers are at each other’s throats. And everyone is watching to see what happens.
But when murder once again strikes Cambio Springs, can they overcome their past to help the community they both call home? And can the love they shared once burn again when so many stand against it?
You can purchase your copy today at the retailers listed below!
Elizabeth Hunter is a paranormal writing genius. She takes unique themes and elements and creates a world that I never want to escape! I have read few shape shifting books that I truly enjoyed (for some reason the theme has never been well written when I try to dive in), yet this series has raised the standard to the highest level and I will never be able to go back! When I read Long Ride Home and Shifting Dreams (Jena’s story) I wanted more immediately. I stalked Elizabeth’s blog daily and freaked out with the teasers I would find. When she released Five Mornings, five different scenes with Alex and Ted, I was in so deep and couldn’t wait to get my hands on their story! Needless to say, Desert Bound was everything I hoped for and more. There is suspense, drama, intrigue, fiery passion, romance, family, and friendship, all wrapped in a perfect paranormal shape shifting package.
Desert Bound begins with Ted and Alex trying to figure out what exists between them and what is left of their friendship and relationship. Their history is a series of lows that have broken Ted at the deepest level but also the highs that completed her life and heart in so many ways. She is determined to ignore his flirtation and not so subtle hints, yet Alex knows without a shadow of a doubt that he is meant to be with her as his lifelong mate and love. Alex takes it upon himself to convince her that he is in Cambio Springs to stay. That even when the resort spa has been completed, he is not planning to leave her again. Alex soon learns that this task is easier said than done. As they attempt to enter into starting a rocky friendship again, things in Cambio Springs turn violent and one of their own is murdered. With more outsiders coming into town to help build the resort and start to expand the town, people are nervous and a murder sets the clans on edge. They demand justice and the return of a sense of safety and security. As Alex and Ted, along with Chief Gilbert, dig deeper into what happened to their fellow shifter, things seem to take a turn for the worst and things are not what they seems. But one thing remains: the shifters will always take care of their own, no matter the outcome or the cost. During this investigation, Ted and Alex are continually thrown together on the hunt and one things becomes painstakingly clear, they are meant to be together, no matter the drama or the disapproval of their families.
This story has everything I could possibly want from a paranormal novel. It has intrigue, passion, danger, hope, love, family, community, and life. It couples a number of my favorite themes into such an incredible paranormal package that leaves you begging for the next book! The characters in this story are what make it the best it could possibly be! Ted is an incredibly powerful and beautiful character. She is strong, dominant, kind, caring, and tough. Yet beneath the tough surface you see a woman who’s heart has been broken repeatedly by the one man she every truly desired. After seven long years, she is faced with a decision: to take him back despite her fears and reservations or to move on and leave the past, both good and bad, behind her. She is a pillar to the shape shifting community, one that is influential and protective. Her tenacity and love for her family and friends was a quality that you cannot help but admire. Alex is her perfect counterpart, the pieces that fit even when it may not make sense. When he steps back to examine the past and his love for Ted, his perspectives shift and his approach to win her back becomes something even Ted cannot ignore. They are better together, sharpening each other and supporting one another. Their passion is on fire; their love is deep. They are my favorite Cambio Springs couple so far! Their magnetism is a force that you cannot help but be drawn to.
The mystery of the shifters death creates an unease within the town and people are on edge. As accusations are thrown, the shifters must band together to bring justice and provide protection to their people. The theme of family and community is a foundational truth within the Cambio Springs series. The shifters way of life is a very delicate balance and it must be protected at all costs. Throughout the story, we see how they will go to great lengths to protect their own clans and when it matters, they will put aside their bickering differences to protect all shifters, no matter their clan or past grievances. I loved the fierce protective nature of the clans and how that translates to the families that have outsiders and non-shifters in their community. Loyalty is an attribute valued above all. I loved seeing the whole gang from the first book together. We see glimpses into Jena and the Chief’s life, we see Ollie, Allie, Old Quinn, and all shifters we met in Shifting Dreams. They add so much more to the story, creating depth and meaning to the series.
I cannot wait to see what Elizabeth Hunter has in store for us next! The Cambio Springs series and community is quickly becoming a “go-to” favorite in my bookshelf! If you are looking for an incredible paranormal series, one that values community and family, one that is full or life, love, and passion, then look no further. Desert Bound hits it out of the ballpark and adds yet another glorious addition to this series and storyline! Don’t miss out! Grab your copy today.
Want a chance to win a digital copy of SHIFTING DREAMS, the first book in the Cambio Springs series? You can enter for a chance to win one of 5 copies of this book! Just make sure to enter this Rafflecopter Giveaway for your chance to win!
Want to know more about the Cambio Springs gang and where it all began? Then make sure to check out the series! The links and book information is listed below! Make sure to grab your copy today if you have never visited Cambio Spring and get ready for an incredible new world!
Long Ride Home (Cambio Springs #0.5)
The first story in the new paranormal series by Elizabeth Hunter, acclaimed author of the Elemental Mysteries.
Welcome to Cambio Springs.
In this small desert town, secrets bubble up from the desert floor, and history is written on the canyon walls. Seven friends will gather at the crossroads, because in Cambio Springs, everything—and everyone—changes.
Jena Crowe escaped the Springs ten years ago. Now, she’s heading home with two boys to start a new life. With her husband’s ghost keeping her company on the road, Jena will learn that moving back and moving backward aren’t necessarily the same thing, and sometimes the places you try to escape are exactly where you need to fall.
Three nights to say goodbye. Three days to come to grips with the future. For Jena and her two sons, it’s going to be a long ride home.
Long Ride Home is a short story of approximately twenty-five pages.
Shifting Dreams (Cambio Springs #1)
Somedays, Jena Crowe just can’t get a break. Work at her diner never ends, her two boys are bundles of energy, and she’s pretty sure her oldest is about to shift into something furry or feathery. Added to that, changes seem to be coming to the tiny town of Cambio Springs—big changes that not everyone in the isolated town of shapeshifters is thrilled about.
Caleb Gilbert was looking for change, and the quiet desert town seemed just the ticket for a more peaceful life. He never counted on violence finding him, nor could he have predicted just how crazy his new life would become.
When murder rocks their small community, Caleb and Jena will have to work together. And when the new Chief of Police isn’t put off by any of her usual defenses, Jena may be faced with the most frightening change of all: lowering the defenses around her carefully guarded heart.
Shifting Dreams is the first novel in Cambio Springs, the new paranormal romance series from Elizabeth Hunter, author of the best-selling Elemental Mysteries series.
Five Mornings (Cambio Springs #1.5)
One morning can change everything. Five mornings can change a life.
Friends. Lovers. Enemies. Allies.
Alex McCann and Teodora ‘Ted’ Vasquez never had a simple relationship. But you couldn’t call it a boring one, either. Five mornings in their past shape who they will become to each other. To their families. And to the mysterious town they call home.
“Five Mornings” is a short story of approximately 36 pages set in the Cambio Springs universe. Also included is an exclusive first look at Alex and Ted’s full-length novel, DESERT BOUND, coming Fall 2014.
Elizabeth Hunter is a contemporary fantasy, paranormal romance, and contemporary romance writer. She is a graduate of the University of Houston Honors College and a former English teacher. She once substitute taught a kindergarten class, but decided that middle school was far less frightening. Thankfully, people now pay her to write books and eighth-graders everywhere rejoice.
She currently lives in Central California with her son, two dogs, many plants, and a sadly dwindling fish tank. She is the author of the Elemental Mysteries and Elemental World series, the Cambio Springs series, the Irin Chronicles, and other works of fiction.
Want to know more about Elizabeth Hunter and what she is up to? Check out her social media links listed below!
We decided this summer to take few months to highlight a few of our favorites authors. This week are so excited to shine the spotlight on the fabulous …
Elizabeth Hunter
I have read and LOVED very single one of Elizabeth Hunter’s books. Her writing style is fantastic. The characters that she creates are ones you can easily relate to. They are authentic and lovable. She melds the world of supernatural with reality in such a way that it seems like it could actually be happening around you and you would be none the wiser. Her female characters are strong and capable. Her male heroes are the perfect compliment the the ladies and incredible leaders within the story line. I could go on and on, but if you have not read anything by Elizabeth Hunter, you are missing out. Check out her books below, complete with Goodreads and Amazon links. Make sure to add her to your TBR pile! Prepare to be amazed!! For more of what Elizabeth Hunter is up to, check out her website, which has links to her blog and social media sites!
A phone call from an old friend sets Dr. Giovanni Vecchio back on the path of a mystery he’d abandoned years before. He never expected a young librarian could hold the key to the search, nor could he have expected the danger she would attract. Now he and Beatrice De Novo will follow a twisted maze that leads from the archives of a university library, through the fires of Renaissance Florence, and toward a confrontation they never could have predicted.
Beatrice De Novo thought she had left the supernatural world behind…for the most part. But when the past becomes the present, will she leave her quiet life in Los Angeles to follow a mystery she thought had abandoned her? Where has Giovanni Vecchio been, and why has he returned? Giovanni has his own questions, and he’s looking to her for answers.
The sequel to A Hidden Fire will reunite Beatrice and Giovanni to continue their search through the past while both wrestle with the future. When the world as you knew it has changed forever, is there any way you can turn back?
How far would you go to protect the ones you love?
What would you sacrifice to kill the one you hate?
Join Giovanni Vecchio and Beatrice De Novo as they travel to a hidden island on the far edge of China to seek the help of an ancient immortal court. Can they weave their way through the tangled web of centuries-old alliances and ruthless feuds to find what they’ve been looking for? Friends will be revealed, enemies will find them, and a dangerous secret will come to light.
The third book in the Elemental Mysteries series will see Giovanni and Beatrice joined by a group of unlikely allies as they explore the history and myth of the far East. Many have been stolen, but only one holds the key.
Still grieving from their loss in the far East, Giovanni Vecchio and Beatrice De Novo discover that for them, all roads really do lead to Rome. But nothing is quite as it seems in the Eternal City. Joined by Carwyn and Tenzin, unexpected clashes greet them almost immediately, and rivalries churn beneath the glittering facade of the old Roman court. They quickly realize that allies might be enemies, and ancient rivals could hold the key to a deadly secret.
Giovanni and Beatrice will be forced to call on old alliances, ancient power, and fierce cunning to survive for the eternity they both desire. Sometimes, finding the end means going back to the beginning. Fire, Earth, Wind, and Water finally meet with devastating results in the conclusion of the Elemental Mysteries.
For a thousand years, powerful earth vampire Carwyn ap Bryn has served others. God. His family. His friends. But tragedy and loss disrupt his peaceful existence, causing him to question everything he has committed his eternity to.
Brigid Connor has known about vampires since they rescued her from a painful childhood. But not even their vast elemental power can save her from the demons that torment her.
As loyalties are tested and new paths are forged, a lurking danger slowly grows in the Elemental World. Carwyn and Brigid will learn that even secrets revealed can come back to haunt you when you least expect it.
Definition: enclosed entirely, or almost entirely, by water
Example: What happens when the water vampire you’ve promised yourself to actually wants you to go through with the wedding? For Gemma Melcombe, her engagement to Terrance Ramsay was a political maneuver. For Terry, it’s something entirely more. Rough waters may be ahead for these two headstrong lovers, but until they come to an agreement, Gemma will be waterlocked.
Dead women are showing up in the desert east of San Diego, and no one understands why. When the story comes to the attention of reporter Natalie Ellis, she can’t help but make comparisons to the tragic deaths she’d investigated years ago. Are these women the victims of a serial killer, or something even more insidious?
Bodies may be piling up in his sire’s territory, but water vampire and feared enforcer, Baojia, is stuck entertaining the rich and clueless at a club in San Diego. He’s taken his exile with all the grace he could muster, but his patience is starting to thin.
Sparks fly when mortal and immortal are thrown together, and Natalie comes face to face with a reality that was lurking in the corners of her life. Pursuing the truth could cost Baojia everything, including the mortal woman who has earned his grudging respect.
A girl. A mother. A slave. A monster. A survivor. Descended into madness. Forged in fire and darkness, she became one of the fiercest warriors the immortal world had ever known.
But in the beginning, there was a girl.
WARNING: The Bronze Blade contains scenes of graphic violence and abuse, and is recommended for adult readers only.
Hidden at the crossroads of the world, an ancient race battles to protect humanity, even as it dies from within.
Ava Matheson came to Istanbul looking for answers, but others came looking for her. A reckless warrior guards her steps, but will Malachi’s own past blind him to the truth of who Ava might be? While ancient forces gather around them, both Ava and Malachi search for answers.
Whispering voices. Deadly touch. Their passion should be impossible… or it could be the only thing that will keep them alive.
When you’ve lost everything you love, how do you fight the darkness?
Ava left Istanbul with a new identity, new name, and new magic she could barely control. Laid low by Malachi’s sacrifice, she searches for help from the fabled Irina. But will the secretive women of the Irin race welcome or shun her? Ava’s origins are still a mystery, and her powers are darker than any they’ve encountered before.
The Irin world hangs in the balance. And as the children of angels battle their own demons, ancient rivalries among the Fallen threaten to wreak havoc on earth.
Thousand of miles away, a warrior wakes with no memory of his identity or his people. Stumbling though the dark and twisted schemes of fallen angels, ravenous Grigori, and even his own leaders, he must find a way back to the one thing he remembers. A single voice calls him. Malachi has one mission.
In this small desert town, secrets bubble up from the desert floor, and history is written on the canyon walls. Seven friends will gather at the crossroads, because in Cambio Springs, everything—and everyone—changes.
Jena Crowe escaped the Springs ten years ago. Now, she’s heading home with two boys to start a new life. With her husband’s ghost keeping her company on the road, Jena will learn that moving back and moving backward aren’t necessarily the same thing, and sometimes the places you try to escape are exactly where you need to fall.
Three nights to say goodbye. Three days to come to grips with the future. For Jena and her two sons, it’s going to be a long ride home.
Somedays, Jena Crowe just can’t get a break. Work at her diner never ends, her two boys are bundles of energy, and she’s pretty sure her oldest is about to shift into something furry or feathery. Added to that, changes seem to be coming to the tiny town of Cambio Springs—big changes that not everyone in the isolated town of shapeshifters is thrilled about.
Caleb Gilbert was looking for change, and the quiet desert town seemed just the ticket for a more peaceful life. He never counted on violence finding him, nor could he have predicted just how crazy his new life would become.
When murder rocks their small community, Caleb and Jena will have to work together. And when the new Chief of Police isn’t put off by any of her usual defenses, Jena may be faced with the most frightening change of all: lowering the defenses around her carefully guarded heart.
One morning can change everything. Five mornings can change a life.
Friends. Lovers. Enemies. Allies.
Alex McCann and Teodora ‘Ted’ Vasquez never had a simple relationship. But you couldn’t call it a boring one, either. Five mornings in their past shape who they will become to each other. To their families. And to the mysterious town they call home.
When Kate Mitchell decided to research the mysterious portrait in the student gallery, she had no idea how her life would change. She thought she knew what she wanted in life. She had a great boyfriend, a promising career, and a clear path. How could one simple portrait change all that? A photograph. A sculpture. A painting. One clue leads to another, and Kate learns that pieces of the past might leave unexpected marks on her own future, too. And how, exactly, did she end up in an irritable sculptor’s studio? One portrait may hold the answers, but learning its secrets will challenge everything Kate thought she knew about love, art, and life. A single picture can tell more than one story, and in the end, a young artist will discover that every real love story is a unique work of art.
Waking Hearts
You can purchase your copy today at the retailers listed below!
There are times when I am so excited for a book to be released, one that I have been longing to read, and I get nervous that I have hyped myself up to levels that cannot be achieved. I have some high standards, especially from one my favorite series and authors. There are times when those worries are all for naught because the author seems to know exactly what you want, when she realizes that this is a big deal and she create a story that will captivate your heart and give you the happily ever after you have been hoping for for several books. Elizabeth Hunter, thank you. Ollie and Allie could not have had a better story. It was beautiful, vibrant, full of hope, heartache, life, and true love.
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