Category: Review Sunday

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Kimberly’s review of Immortal Rider by Larissa Ione

 Immortal Rider
AUTHOR: Larissa Ione
PUBLICATION DATE:   12/01/11
ORDER LINKS:  Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Sexy, powerful, and immortal, Limos is on a crash course with destiny. She’s been marked as Satan’s bride and her jealous fiancé wants her all to himself. The only way this Horseman can keep herself—and everyone else—safe is to keep her distance. But not even Limos can save herself from the secrets she’s kept . . . or resist the seductive allure of one very brave human.

Arik Wagner knows the saying “love hurts” better than most, yet he never thought stealing a kiss from Limos would land him in Hell. Literally. It takes all his military training to survive the demon torture, but once he’s topside, Arik realizes that the agony has just begun. With the Apocalypse looming and Satan demanding his bride, will Arik and Limos surrender to the desire smoldering between them? Or will giving in to their passion unleash hell on earth?

REVIEW:
I honestly have never read a Larissa Ione book that I have not enjoyed and this is no exception. This is the second in the Lords of Deliverance series. Ione is one of the best when it comes to Paranormal Romance.

I would not suggest reading this book without first reading the Eternal Rider (the first in the series) as there is a lot of references to the first book and the background story of Reseph is continued in this book and while you can probably pick up the gist of the story if you did not read the first one I am not sure why you would not want to since Ione is the Queen of this genre.

I was a little taken back at the way Ione had Limos become more reserved then she was in the first book. She was written as a bad-ass in the first book but she falls for Arik and becomes a little bit of a lovesick puppy then the doberman she was in Eternal Rider. That being said she can still kick butt better than most. I enjoyed the fact that the storyline of Lethal Rider (#3/Than’s story) was begun in this book. I can not wait to start the next book.

If you enjoy this genre then you can not miss this series and don’t miss the series that started it all “Demonica”.

4 Hearts
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Kelly’s review of Chilled by Kendra Elliot

 Chilled
AUTHOR: Kendra Elliot
PUBLICATION DATE:   8/14/12
ORDER LINKS:  Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
As a forensic nurse on a search and rescue team, Brynn Nealey braves a dangerous blizzard to find the survivors of a plane crash in the Cascade Mountains. Joining her is Alex Kinton, a former US marshal with self-destructive tendencies. Alex lies his way onto Brynn’s team to find the man who killed his brother—and then return the favor. But once the team members reach the plane’s wreckage, they discover everyone aboard has perished…except for the man Alex is hunting. Alex will do whatever it takes to track his target through the vast, snowy wilderness.

As the temperatures drop, however, so do Alex’s defenses. His contact with the sharp, kindhearted Brynn makes his lust for vengeance difficult to reconcile with his growing feelings for a woman who risks her life to help others. What will happen to Alex’s savage instincts when he finally has the opportunity to confront his brother’s killer?

In Chilled, the next thrilling tale in the Bone Secrets saga, Golden Heart finalist Kendra Elliot weaves an icy tale of cold nights, cold hearts, and cold-blooded killers.

REVIEW:

A plane crash.  A search team.  A murderer on the loose.

This was a great suspense romance. From the beginning you feel like you are sucked into the SAR’s team journey.  While this is Brynn’s story you get to know each of the cast of and fall in love with all of them. So much so I wanted to know more about all of them.  I am hoping that Kendra will be writing a story for a few of them.  But back to the review.

I love the suspense of this book.  We know who the bad guy is, or at least we think we do. But yet we don’t know all the variable of the whys, the hows, or the true who’s.  Kendra takes up to the very end of the book before we truly understand everything that is happening.  But along the way we have a very sweet and tender beginning of a love story if they can just get off this mountain alive.

If you love a good suspense book I would highly suggest ordering a copy of Chilled.  I am very much looking forward to the next book Kendra has in store for us.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
The following review is my opinion and not a paid review.

4 Hearts
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Ursula’s review of Rules Of Negotiation by Inara Scott

Rules of Negotiation
AUTHOR: Inara Scott
PUBLICATION DATE:   02/14/2012
ORDER LINKS:  Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
He let her make the rules…

NYC’s most eligible bachelor, Brit Bencher, is also known as The Slayer for his reputation in the boardroom…and the bedroom. And he’ll do anything to take care of his family, even seduce high-powered corporate attorney Tori Anderson in the hopes of getting her to reveal confidential information about one of her clients. But for the first time in his life, he finds he’s falling for a woman.

…and then he started to break them.

After juggling the demands of her career and the stress of caring for her ailing mother, Tori Anderson doesn’t have time for relationships—but that doesn’t mean she doesn’t want to feel like a woman. When Brit offers a no-strings attached fling, it sounds like exactly what she needs. But what will she do when Brit decides he won’t take “one night stand” for an answer? When Tori uncovers his lies, will he lose his chance with her forever?

REVIEW:
Right from the beginning it is clear that Brit has an ulterior motive, but I found it hard to care.  His character was so well written that even when he is being an ass, you like him.  It is clear that he is torn from the get go. He sets out to use Tori as a contact to obtain something for his beloved sister, but can’t help his own attraction to her. Soon he forgets why he started the whole thing and mostly just goes with it.  Of course that comes back to bite him in the aforementioned ass.

Tori is a driven woman with no room in her life for anything outside of work and making sure her mother is taken care of.  Despite her better judgement she is sucked into a sort of relationship with Brit as long as it is on her terms.  Driven by demons from her past, she is determined that she can indulge in this fling with no strings or repercussions.

Both of these characters have had less than ideal childhoods and it has caused them to deal with relationships in a warped way.  Both of them want to avoid a serious one and neither of them is willing to put anything but their family first. This makes for a less than ideal beginning to the relationship.  Brit sees the light and the error of his ways far sooner than Tori does. He comes to the conclusion that he has to stop living his life for his family and tries to get Tori do the same so they can be together. This makes for plenty of drama and angst that had me shedding a few tears.  I love it when a book makes me “feel”

Complete with the meddling family and an overly familiar assistant, this book had plenty of laughs to go along with the emotion.  I definitely recommend this book.

4 Hearts
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Kimberly’s review of One Naughty Night by Laurel McKee

One Naughty Night
AUTHOR: Laurel McKee
PUBLICATION DATE:   05/22/12
ORDER LINKS:  Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
A hundred years has passed since the bitter rivalry between the St. Claires and the Huntingtons began. But in London, the feud goes on…

Under the cover of night, nothing is forbidden.

Lily St. Claire will do anything for the family that saved her from the streets. With their support, the young widow has become the hostess of The Devil’s Fancy, London’s most exclusive gaming den. She’s determined to restore the St. Claire family fortune, lost a century before to the despised Huntington clan. But a ghost from her past may be her ultimate undoing…

Lord Aidan Huntington is handsome and wealthy, with a taste for adventure and a reputation for wickedness. A gambler and a rake, Aidan can’t resist a seductive woman with secrets—but one naughty night with Lily leaves him wanting more. As Lily is drawn into London’s dark underworld by an old enemy, Aidan will risk everything to save the woman who has awakened his deepest desires.

REVIEW:
What an intriguing story. There is so much happening in this book and yet it seemed like I could not get enough of it. I can not wait for the next one to come out!

Aidan and Lily are fascinating characters and written really well. The reader is pulled into their story almost from page one. Lily’s background is so filled with adventure it is hard to believe one person could live that life yet the way it is written you do not feel overwhelmed by it. And Aidan is perfect. He is sexual, powerful and wicked. Yet he has another side that Lily (and the reader) get to see as a man who is protective, loving and talented. They complement each other perfectly and the rest of the characters are wonderful in the background of Lily and Aidan’s story.

This is considered historical romance but could also be listed as erotica. While the scenes are extremely sexual they are not overpowering and do not make you feel like the rest of the book was written around the sex scenes. This is a true romantic suspense in a historical setting.

So much happens in this book that it is hard to discuss without giving something away but I most certainly think anyone would enjoy this read and finish the book waiting breathlessly for the next in the series… I know I am!

4 Hearts
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Kelly’s review of A Perfect Knight For Love by Jackie Ivie

 A Perfect Knight
AUTHOR: Jackie Ivie
PUBLICATION DATE:   09/04/12
ORDER LINK:  Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Deep in the Scottish Highlands, a stalwart clansman and a wayward bride confront duty and desire…

A Man of Misfortune

With his reckless, drunken brother bringing ruin to the clan, and the lass he’s loved all his life in the clutches of a violent husband, the last thing Thayne MacGowan needs is a spirited, sharp-tongued damsel to contend with—no matter how enticing she may be…

A Woman With A Secret

Having narrowly escaped an objectionable arranged marriage, Amalie is starting a new life—with a new identity. But her freedom is cut short when a surly but irresistibly handsome Highlander is forced to take her as his bride. If only he knew who she really was…

An Unlikely Love

Fate designs an improbable match, and a battle of wills ensues. As Amalie struggles to protect her identity, Thayne finds himself fighting for an unexpected love—and a passion neither can refuse

REVIEW:
Ok, I have to admit I am not overly wild about Highlander books.  Yes, I know many of you are.  And I can kinda see the appeal, but there is something about them that I just can not engage with.  I am not sure if it is the dialog or just the world in general.  So take my review with a grain of salt.

Thayne is a bit, okay a lot, of an ass as a hero.  Not only does he force Amalie to go along with his plan, when she saves his back he is not very greatful.  Not only does he use the whole “I am the lesser of two evils” link on her over and over again, when he finally gets what he is after he is not very nice about it.  I tried to like Thayne, I really did.  And at times I thought that maybe this is the time that he is going to turn around, but sadly it took the whole book right up to the very last page for me to finally kinda like the guy.

If you are a fan of Jackie Ivie or love Highlander books I am sure you will enjoy A Perfect Knight, but for me it just was not my cup of tea.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
This review is my opinion and not a paid review.

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Kimberly’s review of The Last Good Man by Kathleen Eagle

 The Last Good Man
AUTHOR: Kathleen Eagle
PUBLICATION DATE:   05/01/12
ORDER LINKS:  Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Savannah Stephens has finally come home to the purple hills of Sunbonnet, Wyoming, after years of living a life far different from the one she’s known. But her return has set Sunbonnet’s queen bees buzzing. Why has this successful woman returned home? And where is the unknown father of Claudia, the beautiful six-year-old daughter she brought with her?
But Savannah isn’t talking. Not to her Aunt Billie who raised her, and not to the childhood friends she left behind. Savannah’s been hurt deeply, and the worst scars of all –the ones she’s sure will never heal — are the ones that no one can see or touch. But one person refuses to let her retreat in isolation. When Savannah went east to find fame and fortune, strong, silent Clay stayed in Sunbonnet and tended his horses. But his steadfast love for Savannah never wavered, and he’s not going to give up on her now.
Soon Savannah cannot help but yield to the force of a man with the heart, soul, and grit to persist. For her heart knows that she hides from the one thing that can heal the hurt consuming her body and soul.

REVIEW:
Honestly I was not very thrilled with this book. It was so depressing it left me in a funk. Savannah is in such a depression that it is hard to enjoy her. And Clay is so love sick and wanting to take care of everything and everyone he sees that he becomes almost pathetic to me. While I can understand how some people would enjoy this book it was just too sad for me. I am the girl who likes a strong alpha male and Clay to me was not that at all. And while he may be the kind of guy you want to be in a relationship with when the going gets hard he is not the kind of guy I want to read about. He most certainly falls into the catagory of having “white knight” syndrome. and Savannah was hard for me to deal with. Yes she has gone through alot that has turned her world upside down but she has survived it but she does not act like it. She has left everything for someone else to take care of including her daughter. And I am not sure she has moved on from loving Clay’s older brother and it makes me wonder why he would fight for her at all.

As I said I can probably see why some people may enjoy it and if you were in a depressed mood and read it maybe by the end you would not be so down but having not started depressed it was hard to rally from this book. It is very slow paced and written different then I am used to (maybe because it is a reprint from 2000) so maybe that was a factor. Maybe I would have enjoyed it at another point in my life but not right now.

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Kelly’s review of Desire The Night by Amanda Ashley

Desire the Night
AUTHOR: Amanda Ashley
PUBLICATION DATE:   08/28/12
ORDER LINKS:  Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Held captive in a basement prison, wrapped in silver chains, the vampire Gideon is too weak to fight the monster who enslaves him. For years, she’s tapped his precious blood like a fountain of youth – sustaining him with human females she captures for his pleasure. But with the latest victim she brings him, he senses something intriguingly different. Something dangerous, yet oh so tempting.

REVIEW:
This was my 1st Amanda Ashley book and I have to say that did really enjoy this book.  Except for one small part.  Kay our Heroine had to do something in order to spare the our hero from further harm, and I really don’t like reading about that.  While I understand the whole bad guy using the “you said you would do anything” play, I still don’t like it.

That being said I enjoyed the rest of the book.  I enjoyed Gideon & Kay’s story.  If it was not for fate and the twisted mind of a crazy witch these two would have never met.  I guess being in the wrong place and the wrong time work out for the best for these two.

If you are already a fan of Amanda Ashley I believe you will love this story very much.  If you are new to Amanda, like me, never fear Desire the Night can easily be read as a stand alone. And I would highly recommend this book

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
This review is my opinion and not a paid review.

4 Hearts
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Kimberly’s review of The Unspoken by Heather Graham

The Unspoken
AUTHOR: Heather Graham
PUBLICATION DATE:   07/31/12
ORDER LINKS:  Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
AN AIRLESS TOMB. AN UNSPOKEN CURSE 1898: Bound for Chicago, the freighter Jerry McGuen goes down in Lake Michigan, taking with it every man aboard. But what other fate could befall a vessel carrying the ill-gotten sarcophagus of an Egyptian sorcerer? Because a curse unspoken is no less deadly. Now: A veteran diver and “ghost ship” expert is exploring the legendary wreck for a documentary. He dies inexplicably inside the freighter’s main saloon. Then another diver is killed and panicked rumors rise like bubbles from the lake: ancient demons have awakened below! The expedition’s beleaguered financier calls paranormal investigator Katya Sokolov to Chicago to save the film -and perhaps some innocent lives. Along with media forensics guru Will Chan, Kat plumbs the depths of an evil that may date back to the time of the Pharaohs. But some secrets are best drowned in the seas of the past.

REVIEW:
Once again Graham delivers a story the reader can not put down. Set in Chicago/Lake Michigan this story is a page turner. I have never read another author that puts as much research into her books as Graham does. She draws you into her story from the first chapter. While Graham is known for her ghost stories this did not have as many ghost as with most of her other stories which was a little disappointing but still an excellent story.

This is part of the Krewe (Texas Krewe) series and this books takes place right where the last book (The Unholy) left off, even having to do with “Amun Mopat”. The main characters of this book are Will and Katya. Will seems very unlikable in the beginning and there is some antagonism between Will and Kat, they do eventually warm to each other of course. Will seems almost calmed and in sync with Kat and it brings out his softer side. Kat is a M.E. that has joined the Krewe and was called to go to Chicago but she is having dreams and is not sure what they signify. I enjoyed “watching” Will soften toward Kat, wanting to protect her and yet knowing that she is just as trained as he is so he knows he needs to believe she can take care of herself. They make a great team together once you get past the roughness that Will starts out with.

As with all of Graham’s stories I never figure out the “who” or the “why” no matter how many hours I lay awake trying to think it through. And I love that about her writing. No one tells a ghost-story-who-done-it like Graham. This story can be read alone but I recommend reading The Unholy to understand the background of Amun Mopat.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

4 Hearts
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Kimberly’s review of Start Me Up by Angela R Sargenti

TITLE: Start Me Up
AUTHOR: Angela R Sargenti
PUBLICATION DATE:   04/30/12
ORDER LINKS:  Amazon (Kindle Only)

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Among this collection of enticingly lustful tales you’ll find: Jeff of the Jungle, where a lady scientist gets more than she bargains for when she captures a real-life ape man; Shrimp, or what happens when a straight girl gives in to her bi-curious yearnings; and Warped, where a sweet little teaser drags her strait-laced boyfriend, kicking and screaming, into the world of kink.

For those who love the supernatural, you’ll find such stories as Christmas Magic, where an office party escapee hooks up with a fun-loving vampire and experiences some real magic for a change; in The Cougar’s Mate, a young woman has her first sexual encounter with the shape-shifter of her dreams, and in Vlad the Impaler, the title character tries to rejuvenate himself at his lover’s expense.

A spanko explains the attraction in From Behind; and Persistence tells of a man’s girlfriend who wears down his resistance to a certain activity. Love-hate relationships feature in Paradox and Pissed Off, and a girl rescues a cute guy who’s struck down in the street in What Hit Me?

Then there’s the aptly titled Knife Play; and last but not least, you’ll find the two-part tale of how a man seduces his best friend’s barely-legal sister in Little Sister and Alpha Dog.

REVIEW:
This is a collection of “supposed” erotica. It has a number of stories some a few pages and a number that are less than one page long. And none of them erotic to me at all. Maybe it is just my taste but there was not much sexual about any of these stories.

There really is not much good I can say about these stories so I will not say anything much at all.

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Kimberly’s review of Dog Tails by Tara Chevrestt

TITLE: Dog Tails
AUTHOR: Tara Chevrestt
PUBLICATION DATE:   02/21/12
ORDER LINKS:  Amazon (Kindle Only)

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Meet Lola, Pudgy, and Jazzy, three canine cuties that will warm your heart and make you laugh.

In Thank Dog It’s Friday, Lola and her human mommy, Trisha trade bodies for a day! Can they cope with their new bodies and prevent Trisha’s husband from throwing her into a mental institution?

Pugnacious introduces Pudgy, a very pugnacious pug. She takes her job in a dog bakery very seriously and when the bakery is robbed, it’s up to her to save the day, the cash, and the canine cookies!

In Tail of Terror, Jazzy does the unthinkable and she runs away. If she can survive the mean streets, there may be a lesson in store for her and she may make a new friend.

Dog Tails is intended for dog lovers everywhere, but even cat lovers will smile and fall in love with Lola, Pudgy, and Jazzy.

REVIEW:
This is three stories based on the authors dogs. These are cute short stories. If you have ever thought to yourself that you could write a story about how your pet acts then you will totally understand where Chevrestt is coming from. Yes these stories are not about adventures the dogs actually took but their personality has been put into the stories. This is a good set of stories to have on your e-reader for a quick read when you need one since it is broken into three separate stories.

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Kelly’s review of Dust Of My Wings by Carrie Ann Ryan

TITLE: Dust of My Wings
AUTHOR: Carrie Ann Ryan
PUBLICATION DATE: 01/01/12
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Humans aren’t as alone as they choose to believe. Every human possesses a trait of supernatural that lays dormant within their genetic make-up. Centuries of diluting and breeding have allowed humans to think they are alone and untouched by magic. But what happens when something changes?

Neat freak lab tech, Lily Banner lives her life as any ordinary human. She’s dedicated to her work and loves to hang out with her friends at Dante’s Circle, their local bar. When she discovers a strange blue dust at work she meets a handsome stranger holding secrets – and maybe her heart. But after a close call with a thunderstorm, she may not be as ordinary as she thinks.

Shade Griffin is a warrior angel sent to Earth to protect the supernaturals’ secrets. One problem, he can’t stop leaving dust in odd places around town. Now he has to find every ounce of his dust and keep the presence of the supernatural a secret. But after a close encounter with a sexy lab tech and a lightning quick connection, his millennia old loyalties may shift and he could lose more than just his wings in the chaos.

REVIEW:
This was a good 1st book in Carrie Ann Ryan’s new series.   I really enjoyed the twist Carrie puts on the paranormal world in this book.   I loved the cast of characters that Carrie creates and am looking forward to more books to learn more about them.  I really want to know more about Dante.  But I am getting ahead of myself.  Dust of My Wings is Lily and Shade’s story.

Shade finds himself tasked with protecting the supernatural worlds secret.  Because if it was not for him a mere human would not have her hands on evidence that there other things out there besides humans.  Should be a simple smash and crap task.  But Shade learns very quickly that nothing involving Lily will ever be simple.

Lily might hate her boss but she loves her work.  Her newest project is to identify a strange blue powder that her boss demands she gets done now.  But after running many test Lily is still not able to identify what it is.  Little does Lily know just how much that little vial of blue powder will forever change her life.

As I said earlier I enjoyed this book.  I enjoyed the world that Carrie created and am looking forward to more books in this series.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

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Kelly’s review of Moonglow by Kristin Calliahan

TITLE: Moonglow – Darkest London #2
AUTHOR: Kristin Calliahan
PUBLICATION DATE: 7/31/12
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Once the seeds of desire are sown . . .

Finally free of her suffocating marriage, widow Daisy Ellis Craigmore is ready to embrace the pleasures of life that have long been denied her. Yet her new-found freedom is short lived. A string of unexplained murders has brought danger to Daisy’s door, forcing her to turn to the most unlikely of saviors . . .

Their growing passion knows no bounds . . .

Ian Ranulf, the Marquis of Northrup, has spent lifetimes hiding his primal nature from London society. But now a vicious killer threatens to expose his secrets. Ian must step out of the shadows and protect the beautiful, fearless Daisy, who awakens in him desires he thought long dead. As their quest to unmask the villain draws them closer together, Daisy has no choice but to reveal her own startling secret, and Ian must face the undeniable truth: Losing his heart to Daisy may be the only way to save his soul.

REVIEW:

Moonglow is book 2 in Kristin’s Darkest London series.  The Darkest London series is a mixture of a historical and paranormal romance.  Kristin does a great job of bring to life the characters in this story.  Daisy is a widow that is very thankful to be out of her horrible marriage.  She is strong, determined and very stubborn. Ian, is very aloof, doesn’t trust anyone. But these two are great together.  They are like magnets at times the repeal each other and time they are drawn together beyond their control.

Both are gun shy on trust, but when they have to team up to catch a murderer they both learn quickly that the other will have their back no matter what.

I enjoyed this story.  Even if at times I was a little lost about the world, I would suggest reading Firelight (bk 1) first.   But other then that I enjoyed this book.  I am looking forward to the next book in this series Winterblaze, and what is next.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review. The following review is my own opinion and not a paid review.