Double Awesome Reviews!

Great news! Yesterday I discovered these cool reviews for my books…

 

Blood Instincts, a paranormal romance/urban fantasy (with a slightly futuristic angle)

 

 

A Special Creature

By David Burnett on August 16, 2018

Format: Kindle Edition

 

I’ve not read the first volume in the Blood at First Sight series. I enjoyed this book as a stand alone work with no problem. 

 

The story revolves around Oliver, a vampire, and Myah, whose father was a vampire and whose mother was human. They were not supposed to be able to have children, so Myah is special. Myah does not know her heritage , and the story revolves around Oliver’s attempt to introduce her to the life of an “other.”

The book was easy to read, interesting, and enjoyable. The plot moved quickly. The romantic scenes were detailed and sensuous. The author led me to care about Myah. I found myself feeling rather protective of her and becoming concerned whenever I suspected that any other creature – human or otherwise – might harm her.

I will confess that I do not often read paranormal romance. I was drawn to the book because I have enjoyed dome of the author’s other work. However, I found Blood Instincts to be enjoyable and well-worth a read.

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Heiresses in Love Trilogy, a historical romance boxed set (covers the entire Heiresses in Love Series)

Adrienne will she fight for love or fall

By Barbara ( Babs ) Hightower – VINE VOICE on April 24, 2018

Format: Kindle Edition

 

Fara doesn’t want to risk her heart but she does, and what will happen?

 Chloe doesn’t tell the whole truth to a man she loves.

Adrienne…will she fight for love or fall?

All of these stories were well written by a great author. The reader will be gripped to the pages waiting to find out what happens. Great word building and great characters you want to see good things happen to.

Wow! Thanks, David and Barbara, for your kind comments! ♥

Fly away, UYL! Soar!

In 2002, I came up with an idea for a story. This was a historical romance. I pictured the hero and heroine so vividly, fighting about politics, about the danger he faced in times of war. It was quite an emotional moment for young Fara, knowing what she did about the man she desired. 

But after so many years writing and polishing UYR, I needed to release it from its chains. In 2012, I was offered a book contract for Upon Your Return.

The series just built from there...

Fast forward fifteen years from its inception, and recently, the final book of the series, Upon Your Love, was released in February. 

 
Today I come to you, feeling as if at last the children of my heart - all of the characters from the series - are off on their own for the world to see. 

 
Below, you'll catch a great review from David, who was kind enough to leave these awesome words on Amazon about UYL:

"Marie Lavender's books revolve around strong female characters who find themselves struggling to attain their goals in spite of opposition from the social conventions of their times and the attempts of men to control their lives. Upon Your Love is no exception. Set in the nineteenth century, it is the story of Adrienne Hill, the daughter of a sea captain, who lives on a plantation near New Orleans.

Adrienne is no 'shy flower.' She fences and she rides. She travels about the plantation without a chaperone or a guardian, protected by weapons hidden on her person. She goes to sea with her father, and at times, wished she were a sailor.

The book traces the rocky development of her love for Christian, a strong man with a "bad boy" reputation who is attracted to the independent, strong-willed Adrienne.

If you enjoy historical romances with strong characters, plot twists, danger, and love, you will like this book."

Wow! Thank you so much for your awesome commentary, David! :) Readers, don't forget to check out the Heiresses in Love Series, full of romance and maritime adventures! 

 

Two great reviews for SECOND CHANCE HEART!

It's amazing what you find when you're browsing Goodreads! I just found two reviews I hadn't seen before for Second Chance Heart, my latest contemporary romance release! 

 

 

Second Chance Heart
by Marie Lavender (Goodreads Author)

Azia's review

Nov 18, 15

I really enjoyed reading this short story about forgiveness and second chances. I loved the characters and the ending, although, I wanted to read more about these two. Over all a very sweet romance with a lot of deep emotion that is well written and worth reading.I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a great short romantic read. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Second Chance Heart by Marie Lavender (Goodreads Author)

Mindy Bigham's review

Dec 09, 15

*I received this book free from the author in exchange for an honest review*

Dana Nelson is forced into a Inn for the night in shelter of a storm coming through. She is caught off guard when she runs into the one person that broke her heart. This is a very short read about love, betrayal and forgiveness of two people that really never got over each other.

The author fits so many emotions into this short read. I think this was a very sweet read and would recommend it to anyone that just needs something to read and don’t know what they are looking for. This book makes you believe that maybe someone does deserve a second chance.

Exciting, huh? Thank you, Azia and Mindy, for your kind words about SCH! :)

5 Star Review for ALM on Readers' Favorite!

Yay! I just received some wonderful news that A Little Magick got a five star review on Reader's Favorite! :)

 

Book Review

Reviewed by Mamta Madhavan for Readers' Favorite

A Little Magick (Magick Series Book 2) by Marie Lavender revolves around a cute little girl, Rosie, who goes to stay with her uncle. Uncle Adam's home is big and he has built a tree house in the yard for Rosie, and has also made arrangements to work from home. He knows Rosie's mother is a Wiccan and though he feels a little uncomfortable when she is around, he loves his niece. Rosie makes a lot of new friends and enemies while staying at her uncle's place. Adam and Rosie get along well, but then slowly Rosie discovers she is a witch and begins to change, and her powers start coming to the fore. This story of fantasy is not just for children, even adults will enjoy the book.

The theme of bullying also runs through the plot, apart from the romantic angle between Adam and the cook Selena. All the characters are well sketched, especially that of Rosie. The book also conveys the message that with power comes accountability. The story is neat and simple and Rosie's magick connects well with readers. The narration is detailed and descriptive, making the scenes come alive while reading.

It's a thoughtful story for kids. Books with a message and moral are always good to read as children will be able to understand them better via a story. Little Magick is a good book and it's quite interesting to read how Rosanna deals with her powers when she finds out about it.

Great New Review for ALM!

I just stumbled across this wonderful book review for A Little Magick on Goodreads! Thanks for your kind words, Cynthia! :)

Cynthia Varady's review

Sep 17, 15

 

 

A Little Magick captures what it's like to be a kid out of her element perfectly. Rosie is a sweet little girl who is to spend the summer with her uncle as her father adjusts to his new job and her mom is out of town. While she's at her uncle's, Rosie begins to come into her powers, something Rosie's mother warned her uncle might happen. Of course, being a rational thinking lawyer, Rosie's uncle dismisses this heads up as the mildly deranged ravings of a hippy-dippy Wiccan.

Overall, this is a very sweet kids book about being different, although most kids aren't as different as Rosie, and accepting those differences as something that makes you, you. I felt a little bogged down by the mundane details at times, (what they were eating mostly) and was a little sad there wasn't more magic. However, the end of the book made up for the slow bits.

In addition to being a book about acceptance and personal responsibility, A Little Magick gives a beautiful peak into what it means to be Wiccan, an often misunderstood and dismissed religion. Though the years, I have known a few who have practiced Wicca and the creation of Rosie's altar and the taste of their core beliefs is handled with respect and deference.