@GoddessFish Review & Giveaway: Sapphire Angel by Khloe Wren

Sapphire Angel

Gemstone Vampires Trilogy, Book 1
Khloe Wren

Genre: Paranormal Romantic Suspense
Publisher: Rouge Phoenix Press
Date of Publication: April 14, 2014
Number of pages: 100
Word Count: 33,497

Available at the following retailers:
Amazon     BN     ARe     Smashwords

Vampires are real... as is the fact they will only ever take one women. Their Eternal Bride.

When Angelo sees Darcy he knows she is his Bride. Her sapphire blue eyes match his exactly. But he must wait to claim her. He fears he has lost her forever when she disappears.

Five years pass before he finds her again. Just when things start heating up between them, Darcy is taken by their enemies. Angelo must fight to free his one true love. Will he be in time?

Excerpt: 

"I've never flown before. I'm a little nervous."

"You'll be fine, piccola. I'll keep you safe."

Karl felt like throwing up with their bullshit sweet-talking and kissing. He was about to move out of ear shot to save his mind from turning to mush when he heard her say she was going to go to the toilet. Perfect. He quickly headed toward the restrooms and found the entry door to the women's. He casually leaned against the wall. He looked like any other bloke waiting for his woman and didn't even get a raised eyebrow as he waited for Darcy to come around the corner out of the bathroom.

It felt like forever until she came out, stopping short when she saw him.

"Karl?"

"Hey babe, miss me?"

He watched as fury descended over her face. She stepped up to him and brought her hand back to slap him. He caught her right hand in his before it made contact with his cheek. Webbing his fingers in hers, he lowered and twisted her arm around so her fingers were bent back. He knew the pain now ripping through her would be enough to keep her from fighting him.

Karl wrapped his left arm around her right, so they would look like a couple to passersby. Pushing her forward he began leading her down the hallway. He tensed when she dropped her weight. A twist of his hand, designed to shoot pain through her, quickly returned her to his control as she stopped fighting.

"Please, babe, don't fight me. I can and will break your wrist. So, just be a good girl and do as you’re told."

Review: 

I have to admit that I am a fan of Khloe Wren. I have read the first two books in her Fire & Snow Series and just adored them. So getting a chance to review the first book in a new series was a no brainer.  This book was a fairly fast read at about 70 pages and had a quite a bit of smexy in it, but it was an enjoyable read with a unique premise.

Vampires are known publicly. They are born, not made, and have 100 years to find their Eternal Bride. If they find and claim their Bride, they only take blood from her and must drink about every 3 days. They will know their Bride because their eye color will match their own, each a unique gemstone shade. If they are able to find their Bride, they can't claim her until she is at least 23 years old. For those unfortunate enough to not find their Bride within the allotted 100 years, they die. So finding their Bride is a HUGE deal for these vampires.

Of course, we have to have some bad guys in this equation. A group of men called "Nobles" who go to any means necessary to keep the vampire from his Bride, including kidnapping and murder. It's not till further in do we find out why they try to keep them apart, and the squick factor is high. And as with this story being part of a trilogy, there will be more on the Nobles to come in the next two books.

Normally, a Vampire and Bride meet, fall into each others arms and have the insta-love thing going on. But Darcy has just come out of a 5 year bad relationship.  As in finding your boyfriend in the your bed, on your anniversary, having sex with someone else bad. Darcy makes Angelo work for her claiming, but this also happens as part of the larger story line of Nobles versus Vamps. This was a great quick read and I give it 3 stars.

Giveaway: 


Khloe will be awarding the following to different randomly drawn commenters during the tour:

• a Handcrafted leadlight blue heart shaped window hanger/wind-chime and a signed A5 Cover 
• a Charm Bracelet and a signed A5 Cover
• a Phone charm and a signed A5 Cover  
• a Key ring and a signed A5 Cover 

So follow the tour and comment; the more you comment, the better your chances of winning.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Book Tour Info: 
Don't forget to check out the other stops on the Book Tour:

April 7th
Reviews by Crystal
Long and Short Reviews

April 8th
fuonlyknew ~ Laura's Ramblins and Reviews

April 9th
Booklover Sue

April 10th
Musings and Ramblings - review

April 11th
Room With Books

Author Bio:

Khloe Wren started writing her first novel in high school, until it mysteriously disappeared from the family computer (her older brother was the lead suspect but nothing was ever proved). She didn't put pen to paper again after that for a number of years but she did keep reading. Khloe has always loved all things paranormal: sexy vampires and sultry shifters have always been her favourites. So when she picked up writing again, it seemed only natural she would write paranormal romance.

Khloe grew up in the Adelaide Hills before her parents moved the family to country South Australia when she was a teen. As a young adult Khloe moved to Melbourne. After a few years she missed the fresh air and space of country living so moved back. Khloe currently lives in the Murraylands, South Australia with her incredibly patient husband and two young daughters. When she's not sitting at her laptop writing, she's spending time with family or friends, kicking butt at karate or feeding her addictions of reading, eating chocolate and drinking Coke.

Khloe loves to hear from her fans, please feel free to contact her.

To connect with the author online:

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | Pinterest | Amazon

Review: Cinderella's Guardian by Khloe Wren

I first became aware of Khloe Wren while reviewing the first book in this series: Her Guardian Angel.  The series is about an Australian snow leopard shifter leap, and their mates. This has an interesting and original origin store involving Buddhist monks and Haley's Comet.

This is the story of the younger brother Conner White. Unlike his older brother Dominic, Conner was lucky enough to meet his mate days before her 21st birthday. So when he finally dreamed her face, he knew exactly where to go looking for her. However, Connor has his work cut out for him. Tina has recently come to stay at her father's house after being severely injured while trying to land a spot on the Olympic Gymnastics Team. To make things even worse, Tina's mother basically dropped out of her life with the injury and since her father works the oil rigs, he had to hire a near stranger to look out for her.  A stranger who is keeping Tina locked up and practically a prisoner. Tina wasn't exactly in the right frame of mind to jump into a fated match.

My biggest complaint about the book is how Conner calls Tina baby doll all the time. It grated a bit on my nerves, but that was just a personal thing. Tina appeared to love his pet name for her. There were multiple matches made during the book, though the main focus was on Conner and Tina. I enjoyed the book and will be on the look out for book 3 and see where Ms. Wren goes with the story. The overall plot arc has plenty of room for it to go in several directions. While this book didn't have the intensity of book one, overall it was a good story. I just didn't connect very well with Tina and Conner. But that could be me. *shrugs* I gave this 3 stars.

After watching his older brother win the heart of his mate, Conner White can’t wait for his turn. When he finally has his first dream of his mate, he is both relieved that he knows who she is and worried as he hasn’t been able to get near her since he caught a glimpse of her at his brother’s wedding weeks earlier.

Tina Anderson is beyond miserable. Her mother abandoned her after a life altering injury that left the vibrant gymnast in a wheelchair. Her father has been forced to leave her to go work off shore. She’s been left in the care of a harsh bitter woman who is only after her father and will do whatever she deems necessary to take her place in his life. No matter the cost.

Conner and Tina’s road to happiness is filled with twists, turns and pot holes, but are they strong enough to pull each other through it all?

Available at the following retailers:
Amazon     BN     ARe

Book Tour, Review, Interview & Giveaway: Her Guardian Angel by Khloe Wren

Her Guardian Angel

Her Guardian Angel
Fire and Snow Series, Book 1
Khloe Wren

Genre: Paranormal Romance
Publisher: Rogue Phoenix Press

Date of Publication: May 31, 2013

Number of pages: 264
Word Count: 67,948

Available at the following retailers:
Amazon     BN     Sony     Kobo     ARe

The last thing Snow Leopard Shifter Dominic expects to find at an accident scene is his mate, the beautiful Adele. But after four years of dreaming of her, there she is, right in front of him. However, winning the heart of his lonely, grieving mate is no simple task. Just as their relationship begins to heat up, a gravely injured child, Kelly, stumbles into their lives after escaping and fleeing her abuser. Will Dominic and Adele's bond grow stronger as they nurture and protect Kelly? Will their relationship be able to survive all that fate plans on throwing their way?

Excerpt: 

Dominic snagged her hand as she rushed past and pulled her into his chest.

"It will be fine, Adele. Take a deep breath and calm your mind down a notch. Everyone will help, you'll see."

He took her face between his hands and gave her a kiss. Adele's thoughts scattered under the onslaught. Yep, her mind had slowed down a notch or two now, bugger a deep breath. Dominic's kisses worked much better. She wrapped her arms around his neck, deepening the kiss. Dominic pulled back, sounding slightly breathless as he spoke.

"Come to dinner with me at my house. Tonight." She loved that he was as breathless as she was.

"I don't know if I have time. I have so much to do now," she whispered back.

"This will help. I promise. My parents want to get to know you, and my mum, she's got some ideas on how to help Kelly with her education. I bet Deirdre will be impressed if you have a plan all worked out on that front."

Adele had rested her head over his heart as he spoke, tilting her head up she put her nose against his neck, inhaling and surrounding herself with his scent. A night in his arms would be nice. Real nice.

After a moment of shoring up her courage, she kissed Dominic's neck, nibbled her way up to his ear and whispered, "Hmm...okay, I'll come over for dinner, on one condition."

Dominic groaned deep in his throat as she nibbled his jaw.

"And what would that condition be, beautiful?" he asked in a hoarse voice.

Book Trailer: 

Interview: 

Today, we welcome Khloe Wren to Musings and Ramblings. Let's all give her a big Geeky welcome!

I have some questions for you that are writer specific as well as some fun stuff so that we can really get to know the real you. *grin* Plus we will finish things off with round of Think Fast. Ready to begin?

Writing Specific
1. Tell us something about yourself that's not in your bio.

I am addicted to tattoos. I have four and plans for at least two more.

2. What do you like to do when you are not writing?

Normally I read, if I’m not spending time with my family or friends.

3. How did you choose the genres you write in?

I think they choose me! On a serious note, I write what I like to read. It was the natural choice when I started writing.

4. Is there any particular author or book that has influenced you or your writing?

JR Ward and Sherrilyn Kenyon are two authors (among many) that continue to inspire me.

5. What has been the toughest criticism given to you as an author? What has been the best compliment?

The toughest criticism has been from someone who should have supported me. Without having read a word I’d written they totally condemned me and influenced others to do the same. It’s taken me some time to move on from the hurt.
The best compliment was after I nervously sent the first draft of Her Guardian Angel off to best selling Australian author, Angela Caste. She wrote back to me saying she loved it and thought it was awesome. I floated on cloud nine for around a month I think!

Fun Stuff
6. If you could have dinner with anyone, past or present, fictional or real, who would it be and why?

Oh my! Only one? I would love to have dinner with Acheron, from Kenyon’s Dark Hunter series. He gives ‘tortured hero’ a new definition. He has the power to, quite literally, destroy the world. A world that has been so very cruel to him. Yet, he chooses to be it’s protector. Hopefully his demon, Simi, would come along too. That way if conversation dried up we could just sit back and watch her coat things in barbeque sauce before eating them! lol

7. You are going to be stranded on a deserted island and bring 3 luxury items. What would they be?

1. Jurlique Lavender Hand Cream. Love that stuff!
2. Kindle, fully loaded with my favorite books.
3. A massive crate of chocolate.

8. Pick two celebrities to be your parents. Who are they and why?

I’m totally stumped! I can’t think of any who’d I want for my folks. Guess it helps that I’m totally happy with the parents I have.

9. What would we find in your refrigerator right now?

A boat load of milk, my youngest is still having bottles so we go through a lot of it. Some veggies, sour cream, butter, a little chocolate, cans of coke … and possibly one or two new life forms in the back!

10. If someone wrote a biography about you, what do you think the title should be?

Everything Khloe Never Wanted You To Know

Think Fast
Summer or Winter? Summer (It’s currently winter and I’m freezing, I’m sure in the summer when I’m roasting I’d say winter!)
Coffee or Tea? Neither, caffeine comes in Coke and chocolate for good reason!
Cake or Pie? Cake
Car or Truck? Car.
Print or Electronic? Print (I do have and regularly use my Kindle)

Thanks being here today and for the interview. Anything you would like to add?

Thanks for having me! I can’t think of anything else of interest to add, aside from I hope people enjoy reading Her Guardian Angel. I’m currently writing book two in the series, Cinderella’s Guardian.
Xo
Khloe

Review: 

This is the first book in the Fire and Snow Series by Khloe Wren.  I haven't read anything by the author before, but I am always on the look out for another excellent shifter story.  This one in particular intrigued me because of the shifter type - snow leopards.  I have always had a fascination with them.  They are just incredibly beautiful creatures.  Add in the setting of Australia and those lovely accents and I was hooked.

The story opens with an introduction to the male lead Dominic, talking with his brother and then father about the dreams he has been having about his future mate. He has seen her in his dreams since her 21st birthday, a few weeks before and is developing an emotional connection to her. This would be fantastic, except for the fact that she is in emotional pain and it is affecting Dominic.  He consults with his father on what he can do to help his future mate.  His father suggests joining her in her dreams or bringing her into his.

Meanwhile, several hundred miles away, 21 year old Adele is dealing with her mother's advanced Cancer situation.  When she lays her head down on her mother's bed and cries herself into exhaustion, she finds herself dreaming about a snow leopard.  She feels a connection to him and before she knows it is telling him all about her mother.  Adele names the snow leopard chaton, or kitten.  Over the next four years she will come to rely on her Chaton and their emotional connection to get her through her mother's death and struggling at university on her own.

Dominic and Adele will finally meet face to face when she arrives to help at an accident scene,  while out applying for paramedic positions in the area.   Dominic recognizes her right away, but Adele doesn't trust the draw she feels toward him.  Dominic has won her over as Chaton, now he has to win her over as Dominic.  But Adele is mistrustful and caution around men, especially men trying to hit on her.

There is also another story coinciding with Dominic and Adele's romance.  That of an abusive man and the slave that he has chained up in his house.  This isn't the safe and consensual BDSM that we read about, but the sadistic torture and abuse of a human being.  This monster has a woman that he keeps chained to the wall that he whips, beats and rapes regularly.  The scariest part, she has a child that is trapped in this nightmare right along with her.  These parts are very tough to read, but it's not just there for shock value.  Their stories are intertwined, interconnected and a vital part of the over all story line.  It's just not a pleasant part, so fair warning.

Overall this was an excellent story.  The author did a fantastic job of giving us information about the world and history as it was needed in the story, without just doing an "info dump" in the beginning.  The characters were unique and mostly quirky with excellent dialogue and vivid imagery. The story went by very quickly.  I just couldn't put it down. I don't normally give out 5 star reviews on the first book in a series, but I think this one is worth it. I will be reading the next book as soon as it is released.

Giveaway: 

Khloe will be awarding a signed postcard and mobile phone charm for one random commenter at each stop and a grand prize of a super prize pack consisting of a deck of playing cards with cover on the back, signed postcard, handbag pendent or keychain, signed bookmark as well as other goodies to one random commenter at the end of the tour.

So follow the tour and comment; the more you comment, the better your chances of winning.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Book Tour Info: 
Don't forget to check out the other stops on the Book Tour:

July 8:
JM Stewart, Contemporary Romance Author

July 9:
Musings From An Addicted Reader

July 10:
Musings and Ramblings

July 11:
Words of Wisdom from The Scarf Princess

July 12:
Reviews by Crystal
Black Velvet Seductions Readers Blog

Author Bio:

Khloe Wren started writing her first novel in high school, until it mysteriously disappeared from the family computer (her older brother was the lead suspect but nothing was ever proved). She didn't put pen to paper again after that for a number of years but she did keep reading. Khloe has always loved all things paranormal, sexy vampires, sultry shifters have always been her favourites. So when she picked up writing again, it seemed only natural to write paranormal romance.

Khloe lives in country South Australia with her incredibly patient husband and their two daughters. When she's not sitting at her laptop writing, she's either spending time with family or friends, or feeding her addictions of reading paranormal romance, eating chocolate and drinking coke.

Khloe loves to hear from her fans.
To connect with the author online:

Email | Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads