Twisted Wolf Tales by Rene Folsom

Deep in the Shrouded Wood, on her way to her granny’s cottage, Rosetta is ambushed by an unseen force. Soon after, she finds herself plagued by strange dreams - visions of a large wolf and a seductive woman beckoning her.

Not knowing what to do with these dreams and the odd changes happening to her body in the waking world, Rosetta sets out to confront whatever lies in the Shrouded Wood, determined to discover the temptations within. But what she finds is beyond anything she ever could’ve imagined… or hoped for.

Get ready to dive into Rosetta’s world and enjoy a new twist on the classic tale of Little Red Riding Hood.

This Halloween, something sinfully wicked is coming your way. Give yourself a Red Hot Treat this fall with ten spine-tingling stories sure to warm up your night. Scary just got sexy with TEMPT, part of the Red Hot Treats multi-author series (stands alone for reading enjoyment).

Warning: This supernatural romance novella contains f/f adult situations and is meant for ages 18+

A modern spin in Little Red Riding Hood, Tempt features Rose and her journey to her Granny’s house to pick up sweets for the town Halloween Celebration. Rose’s mother is in charge of organizing the party and needs her Granny’s sweet. Granny lives deep in the Shrouded Woods with no cell service or way to get there by vehicle. Rose loves visiting her Granny, even as an adult, so she agrees to travel through the woods for her mother.

While on the journey, Rose falls down, hits her head, and wakes up with scratches on her chest. Granny’s salve heals Rosetta’s head wound, but Granny says that the scratches look like she was marked. Feeling protective of the marks, Rose won’t let them be healed.

The wolf that marked Rose is not what you think. It’s not a strong, alpha, shifter male, but a sensuous female wolf that visits Rose in her dreams. Rose is surprised that she is attracted to the woman, but can’t turn off her lust for the one who marked her.

While I do not seek out F/F stories, this one was done very well. The twist on the fairy tale helped to lead the way to the sensual and sexy story between Rose and her lover. I enjoyed reading the first story in the collection and can’t wait to read the rest.

Amazon US
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Beau Shapiro has spent his whole life being called gorgeous, handsome, sexy… every word imaginable to describe his outer appearance. But despite his popularity, he never once lets it all go to his head. He’s holding out for that one girl that has it all—beauty and personality.

While out searching for his father, Beau meets Karoline—a woman cursed to be a beast. Striking a deal with her to save his father’s life, Beau is taken to Karoline’s home deep in the mountainous woods to live with her. During his stay, he finds that there’s beauty within the beast, and slowly, for the first time in his life, falls in love.

Delve into the story of Beau and Karoline, a modern day retelling of the classic tale Beauty and the Beast.
Warning: This supernatural romance novella contains adult situations and is meant for ages 18+.

The 2^nd in the Twisted Wolf Tales Collection, this one focuses on the tale of Beauty and the Beast…with a twist.

Beau is the handsome boy in town. He has always known how handsome he is, but he doesn’t want just any girl. His father owns the only bookstore in town, and Beau loves to read and wants a girl who loves books just as much as he does.

Unlike the original fairy tale, Karoline is the Beast and she captures Beau’s father. Beau trades his freedom for his father’s and thus the sensual twist on the story begins. The hot, sexy, steamy, tension between the man and the beast sizzles off of the pages. I can’t recommend this collection more!

Rene Folsom creates such a sexy twist to much loved Fairy Tales that makes the reader want more! Beau and Karoline’s chemistry is intense and HOT, making me not want to put the book down (nor did I want it to end).  I really, really, love this one and can’t wait to read book #3!

Amazon
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Mardi Gras is coming, and no one is more excited than Jolie—The Big Easy’s resident good witch. Amidst the festivities, darkness creeps under the blissful veil of love she is entangled with. Her twin sister, the evil witch Melanie, is out to destroy Jolie before her powers can usurp her own, willing to stop at nothing to do so. Jolie, aided by Asher and his seven-man wolf pack, are set to keep New Orleans safe from Melanie’s sorcery, or die trying.

Enjoy the story of Jolie and Asher, a modern-day retelling of the classic tale Snow White.

This Mardi Gras season, let the sinful good times roll with Trapt, a Twisted Wolf Tale and part of the Red Hot Cajun Nights multi-author series (stands alone for reading enjoyment).

Warning: This supernatural urban fantasy romance novella contains adult situations and is meant for ages 18+.

As with the style of this collection of stories, Trapt is the modern twist of Snow White by Rene Folsom. I can’t begin to tell you how much I enjoy this collection of stories and the author’s creative and sexy way of reinventing these beloved tales for adults.

Jolie is a good witch with a wicked twin sister, Melanie. Asher, a wolf, and his 6 other wolf-y brothers, end up being cared for by Jolie after he visits her shop looking for a way to help his sleepy brother. A series of bad events happen to Jolie (caused by her jealous evil sister) and she eventually figures out that her wicked sister is the reason for all of the bad luck. The “guys” help Jolie, and Asher and her fall for each other.

The author weaves such a creative tale with these stories. Without giving away too much of the story, I will say that if you enjoy a good paranormal story, but are tired of the same old story, you definitely need to read this book!

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**Buy the bundle  here!**

Rebel Wayfarers MC Spotlight

Mica Scott was raised on a ranch in Northeast Texas. Life was hard, but not impossible...until she met her own personal nightmare one night at a rodeo. She escaped his abuse by putting things behind her, isolating herself with a move to Chicago for college and work.

Davis Mason is the hard-living president of the Rebel Wayfarers, a motorcycle club operating out of Chicago. With just one encounter, he becomes determined to keep Mica safe...whether she wants him to or not. He will use every possible means in his control to manage Mica, while holding himself aloof from taking the one thing he really wants...her.

Daniel Rupert is a successful businessman. He owns a trucking company and a hockey team, for which he is the star forward. Meeting Mica and Mason when he helped foil an attempt on her life, he began working jointly with Mason to keep her safe. But unlike Mason, Daniel is not satisfied with a platonic relationship. He insinuates himself into Mica's life, and he only wants...everything.

Events escalate and Mica's very life hangs in the balance as old threats resurface and the men in her life scramble to keep her alive.
18 and older due to explicit content.

I’m a sucker for a good MC book. My favorite troupe is a sexy alpha and strong heroine and this book delivered on all counts!

Michaela, aka Mica, had a rough life. Her mother died when she was a young teen and then she joined the Rode circuit where she was exposed to a bad man and bad situation. Vulnerable and damaged, she is rescued from a bad situation by Daniel and Mason. That vulnerability does not mean that she is weak, though. She is strong and courageous having been through so much in her young life. Mica falls for Daniel, not knowing how Mason feels for her. Ugh, I just wanted to scream “No, pick the other man!!”

I absolutely love how Mason stepped back so Daniel and Mica could be together. He loved her enough that he wanted her to be happy…even if it wasn’t with him. My heart ached for Mason. But, he goes to any length to protect his Club Princess. **swoon**

Daniel and Mica are together, but he doubts her feelings. She turns him away to protect him, but he doesn’t see it that way. I wasn’t a fan of Daniel or this relationship, but gave it the benefit of the doubt and it did not disappoint.  When Mica and Mason got together, I swear I cheered so loud that my neighbors heard me!

I loved the angst and deep love Mason carried in his heart for Mica. The book did drag a bit for me, but it was worth finishing it to the end. Note that there are a few tough scenes in this book if you do not like rape or attacking of women.

Amazon US

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Andrew Jones grew up in a small town in Wyoming, and as a teen watched his family implode following the death of his father. Driven by the need to provide for his little brother, he begins looking for work, restlessly traveling from job to job on his Indian motorcycle, seeking something he cannot define.

Meeting Davis Mason, President of the Rebel Wayfarers MC in Chicago is a pivotal event in his life, and over the following years he gradually becomes Slate, assuming the persona as first a prospect into Mason’s MC, then as a full patch member. He has finally found the brotherhood he longed for, a sense of connection and belonging…a family and home.

The only thing missing from Slate’s life is a woman who can love him…all of him. He finds his match in a daughter of the MC, and his dreams become filled with her silent smiles, unruly red hair, and soft curves. Slate works to gain her trust, but as their relationship slowly begins to grow, ghosts from their previous lives threaten to ruin everything and put the woman he loves in grave danger.

Can he save her from dangers drawn to her by the past, or will she and their love be a casualty of conflict caused by the club.

This is the second book in the Rebel Wayfarers MC Series. The first book introduced the Club President, Mason.  Slate is introduced and he has led a hard life. He has been his brother’s rock and that dependability follows him into his role in the Club. While the beginning was needed to create a backstory for Slate, I felt that it dragged on for too long and the meat of the story didn’t begin until about halfway.

Ruby, named by Slate for her red hair, meets him at the bar where she tends. She was the perfect match for this tough guy – his tenderness and caring showed he wasn’t completely hardened by the life he led. Again, their sexual tension and angst were perfect for the relationship and the author sure knows how to deliver the perfect amount of angst.

My favorite part of this book is the overlapping with the first story. Parts of Mason and Mica’s story made more sense after reading this one. Mica and Slate’s brotherhood was another key part in showing the guys’ loyalty and friendship towards each other.

All in all, this was a really good story that was a little too long for me.

Amazon US

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Rob Crew had purpose in his life. He was a devoted husband, doting father, and committed Navy man…then his life changed forever. Cast adrift, he finds friendships in the Rebel Wayfarers Motorcycle Club and fulfillment as he transitions into the role of loyal and supportive club member. He becomes Bear, a man who fills an important position in this brotherhood of bikers.

A caregiver by nature, Eddie’s chosen career focuses on helping the most vulnerable – teaching special needs children and young adults. Surrounded by loving family and friends, she is content with what she considers her full and satisfying life…until she meets Bear, an enforcer for the local MC. Even through their initial encounter is brief, she can’t make herself forget the pain in his eyes as he turned away from her.

Their lives intersect at surprising intervals, with each contact underscoring the attraction and connection they share. Can Eddie convince Bear that it is okay to move past his pain and love again?

Wow! This book was so full of emotion and angst! I can’t tell you how much I enjoy how much of it this author puts in each of her books. Bear, aka Rob, has had his heart torn out of him. He has loved and lost the most precious people in his life. My heart absolutely ached for him when he lost his girls. Ugh. It still brings tears to my eyes to think about it.

As with this author’s style, the backstory drags on a little too much for my liking. While I adore how Eddie and Rob/Bear had feelings for each other from the beginning, and I liked how they didn’t act on that attraction until much later, I wanted to get to the meat of the story. Yes, I’m impatient. But, I feel like it’s too descriptive and long. It’s the kind of story that didn’t hold my attention for long and I didn’t mind putting it down to do other things.

While this is the 3^rd book in the Rebel Wayfarers MC Series, the club wasn’t as prominent in this book with Bear. He becomes a member, but isn’t as focused on it like Mica (book 1) and Slate (book 2) were. I kind of liked that about this story and how it wasn’t as prominent in his relationship with Eddie.

This is another good book in this series that had some minor issues, for me , but is well worth the read if you like MC books.

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Raised in the south, MariaLisa learned about the magic of books at an early age. Every summer, she would spend hours in the local library, devouring books of every genre. Self-described as a book-a-holic, she says “I’ve always loved to read, but then I discovered writing, and found I adored that, too. For reading … if nothing else is available, I’ve been known to read the back of the cereal box.”

A hockey fan, hiker, gamer, and single mom of a special needs son, she embraces her inner geek and has been working in the tech field for a publishing company for a couple decades.

Music is a driving passion, and she says, “I love music of nearly any genre — jazz, country, rock, alt rock, metal, classical, bluegrass, rap, hip hop … you name it, I listen to it. I can often be seen dancing through the house in the early mornings. But I really, REALLY love live music. My favorite thing with music is seeing bands in small, dive bars [read: small, intimate venues]. If said bar [venue] has a good selection of premium tequila, then that’s a plus!”

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Underground Tour Stop!

The seemingly impossible has happened. The unthinkable. Those I trusted most have betrayed me. I’m a hockey player, and gave control of my finances to my parents so I could concentrate on my game. Big mistake. They stole from me, bankrupted me, in fact. And then someone came looking for money I don’t have and I did something terrible that will haunt me forever. After that, I took off with no thought about where I’d go or what I’d do.

But a secret organization found me and offered a new start, a salvation. I would no longer be a hockey player, I wouldn’t even be an actual person. Doing this would require me to go totally off the grid. I’d be a shadow, fighting crime with a group that’s underground, literally. Do I want that life?

If I went back, what kind of life would I have? Probably one in prison orange. The choice to join Underground is painful, but necessary. As my hockey coach always said, though, pain is weakness leaving the body. I will not be powerless ever again.

Off the Grid is the first installment in a 10-part serial novel. While I did enjoy reading the novelette it didn’t quite capture my attention as much as I hoped. On the contrary, until Ethan actually goes to the Underground facility and meets some of the other operatives, my attention kept waning. Admittedly I felt bad for the guy when he learned that his parents ripped him off and endangered his life. And yes, the hockey stick as a weapon scene was pretty freaking cool. But his initial meeting with Maline and Andre had me rolling my eyes a couple of times. Maline’s “We fight crime” statement annoyed me considering she’s working for a black ops organization, but I gave her the benefit of the doubt that she knew she was dealing with a man who was likely in shock. As her character’s conversational skills were more advanced once they got to the facility, I was more accepting of it. But the exchange that really, really caused my eyes to roll was when Maline tells Ethan about people being able to fake polygraphs and Ethan’s response was “Seriously?” Even if I’m willing to accept that the MAN has made it to thirty without having watched any criminal justice themed show or movie EVER, Ethan majored in Criminal Justice in college. I minored in Criminal Justice and that’s basic information covered in intro classes (plural). So yeah, that was a problem for me. In the grand scheme of things, it’s a minor sticking point but it undermines the character for me.

The ultimate question regarding any serial novel, especially that of the first installment, is: Did it hook the reader enough so that they will read the next installment. For me, the answer is not really. I will be reading parts two and three of the series simply because I have them already and agreed to review them. Because of this, I’m hoping that as the next two installments are larger and because the series’ foundation has been laid, that more will occur to get me invested in the series. But if I had bought this installment just to read, I doubt I would continue on. And I do not say this because it’s a bad book, but rather it just didn’t do it for me. My recommendation is to download a sample and check it out yourself

 Amazon | Barnes & Noble

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I’ve left my old life behind and officially joined Underground. It appears no one knows where I am or even if I’m still alive. I don’t know how I feel about that. My friends thinking I’m dead leaves a hole in my heart, but I’ll drive myself crazy if I obsess about it. So rather than allowing myself to wallow in self-pity or anger about what’s happened, I’m throwing all my energy into training. You would think that whole “elite athlete” thing would make everything easier, but all these new techniques I need to master—hand-to-hand combat, weapons training, surveillance procedures—are kicking my ass.
For my whole life, I’ve only had one identity. Ethan, hockey player. Now that sense of self is gone forever, slowly being replaced by my new identity, Slapshot. Surreal doesn’t even begin to describe this transformation. But the more I find out about the world around me, the problems I ignored for the most part as I played a game for an obscene amount of money, the more I want to make a difference. This is not a game. It’s real life, and I have the chance to be a hero. It’s going to take everything I have—or have left, to do it.

While I enjoyed Creating Slapshot more than I enjoyed Off the Grid, I’m still not hooked on the series. Ultimately a geek at heart, I found the information that was disseminated via Ethan’s training quite interesting. Although I wasn’t surprised that he did well in the testing for skills that relied on hand-eye coordination, I was fascinated by the fact that he scored so much better than everyone else – yet still questioned his ability to eventually contribute to the team. I really should give the guy a break as he is trying to find his way in a new life after having his old life ripped away from him so brutally, but his lack of confidence doesn’t ring true from someone who is a professional athlete who has helped his team win the Cup… twice. I do like that Ethan is not afraid to ask questions and has been encouraged by everyone so far to do so. And the way that the various team members have relayed their personal stories has helped fill in more of the blanks regarding the team and certainly helped make this installment more interesting as well. That said, I believe that parts one and two would have been more effective had they been combined into a single novella rather than two novelettes. I will be starting Initiation by Fire tomorrow and can only hope that it lives up to its name and finally brings the level of action and adventure that I was expecting. A good dose of romance would not be amiss either. 

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I have my first assignment--helping track down a man targeting Cuban bodegas and then using an automatic rifle to massacre all those inside after they're attacked by a Cuban gang and his wife is killed. Underground is tasked with figuring out who this dangerous man is and stopping him before he goes on another rampage. Though I only play a small role in this first mission, it’s satisfying to know I helped find justice for all the innocent people the man has murdered.

Despite that, I still find myself thinking about what I left behind, as I learn more about what my parents did with my money, and my former hockey team struggles to deal with my apparent death. Guilt weighs me down, and the rest of the team does their best to keep me focused on this new life. Can they do that, or will I snap under the pressure?

Initiation by Fire is the third installment in the Underground series and while it was better than parts one and two, it’s my final stop on this journey. There is far more action in this installment than before because Ethan is going out into the field for recon and we get to see him take part in a mission. I liked that Ms. Carr showed Ethan actually learning skills – making errors and learning how to do things correctly or better. It’s expected that he will master some tasks quicker than others because he’s a professional athlete, but thankfully there was no “Boom, he’s a natural born genius who masters everything on his first attempt” scenario going on. Also enjoyable was Ethan’s continued bonding with his colleagues. I liked that we got to learn more about the various team members and that certain ones seem to have taken him under their wing. Unfortunately, the romantic connection remains a hint and is suggested more by the series blurb than the book itself. The mission was intense and action-packed, which is what helped to elevate Imitation by Fire over Off the Grid and Creating Slapshot. Regrettably it ended too soon to finish reeling me in. Would I like to know what happens to Ethan? Yes, but I’m not willing to sit through seven more installments to find out. I think that had parts 1-3 been released as one novel, I probably would have continued on with the series. But at its current rate, it feels like the story is dragging on and on without making enough progress to keep my attention. As always, I recommend that you check it out for yourself because it is an enjoyable storyline, it’s just not working for me at its current pacing. Who knows? Maybe once all 10 parts have been released, I’ll give it another shot. 

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Cassandra Carr is a multi-award winning romance writer. When not writing she enjoys watching hockey and hanging out online. Cassandra's books have won numerous "Best Book Of" awards and her novella Unexpected Top was nominated in the E-book Erotic Romance category of RT's Reviewers' Choice Awards.

 

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