Category: Review

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My ARC Review of Eternal Captive by Laura Wright

Eternal Captive
By Laura Wright
Since feeding her his blood, Lucian Roman has struggled with his obsession with Bronwyn Kettler-fighting an uncontrollable desire to kill her, if he has to, and the vampire she has sworn to wed. But when a dangerous enemy threatens Bronwyn, only Lucian can save her life. Even if it means sacrificing his own…
My Thoughts:
Eternal Captive takes us on an emotional rollercoaster ride.  There are so many ups and downs, highs and lows you start to wonder if it will ever end.  Will there ever be light at the end of the tunnel.
I will admit I was very, very nervous about this book.  I was not sure how Laura was going to pull it all off, but she did!!  And she did a beautiful job of it.  While Eternal Captive was not my favorite book so far in the Mark of the Vampire series *cough Nicky’s*.  But I can safely say that Lucian fans will be extremely happy with this book.
Eternal Captive introduces us to a new group of characters and opens so many doors in the Mark of the Vampire world.   I am very excited to see where Laura takes us with this new group of Roman’s.  
And since I try hard to keep my review spoiler free but I am dying to give you something.  Let me just say that the ending of Eternal Captive surprised the hell out of me…  Never ever saw that coming. 
So can’t wait for Gray’s book Eternal Beast in August. 
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My Review of Chosen by Sin by Virna DePaul

Chosen by Sin
by Virna DePaul
book 3 in the Para-Ops Series
E-version ($4.99) Amazon OR Barnes and Noble
Paperback ($7.99)Amazon
For now, werebeast Dex Hunt serves on the Para-Ops team, but his true purpose is to kill the werewolf leader he blames for his mother’s death. Biding his time, Dex keeps his emotional distance from his team members and anyone else he might care for, including a mysterious vampire he met in LA.
As a doctor, vampire Jesmina Martin has dedicated her immortal life to healing others. As a scientific researcher, she’s trying to prolong life spans, in particular those of her adoptive dragon-shifter family and the werewolf who saved her as a child. Her greatest hope lies with Dex, a werebeast she believes can gift immortality to others.
Only Dex knows nothing about his gift or the fact Jesmina wants to harness it. After a passionate night together neither expects to see the other again. Weeks later, they are reunited in France and forced to acknowledge a fragile miracle—a new life struggling to survive. At the same time, they must stop a group of rebel shape-shifters hoping to unleash every demon in hell. But before Dex and Jesmina can save their child or the world, they must relinquish their secrets, face their fears, and open themselves to love.
My Thoughts:
I really enjoyed Chosen by Sin.  Dex is like an island.  He doesn’t allow anyone to get close to him.  Not his team members, not his lovers, no one.  Until he crosses paths with Jesmina Martin, the sexy, sassy vampire who helped the Para-Ops team on their last mission.  Jesmina changes everything for Dex.
This was a really good book.  I enjoyed reading about Dex & Jesmina’s struggle with their feelings, although I wanted to slap both of them around at times.  There are so many secrets and lies that Dex & Jesmina are keeping from each other.  But when push comes to shove only true loves will always win out.
I am really excited to see what is next for the Para-ops team. 
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Review of the Vampire Warden series by Lisa Renee Jones

HOT VAMPIRE KISS 

Book one, Evan’s story
The werewolf population is entrenched in a century long civil war, and now they are plagued by a virus that is turning wolves into killers. The Brooks brothers pursue one such rogue werewolf to Temple, Texas. It is in Temple that Evan encounters a beautiful nurse named Marissa who instantly melts the hundred years of ice running through his veins. When she is brutally attacked by the wolf, he breaks the rules of the Vampire Council and uses his blood to save her. Now, if he doesn’t kill the wolf by the next full moon, Marissa will become a killer wolf, and he will be sentenced to death.
My Thoughts:
Okay Yum, who doesn’t love brothers. Hot brother… Hot Vampire Brothers!!! YUM!!!  Did I say YUM yet?  YYYYUUUUUMMMMMMMMMM!!
Lisa does a great job of creating a new vampire world.  A world where Vampires are kept in check or they are put to death.  The world of the Vampire Wardens. But those in charge may not always be trust worthy. The Brooks brothers will learn that the hard way.
I really enjoyed this 1st installment of Lisa’s Vampire Warden Series. Evan & Marissa are great together. They learn very quickly to trust one another and learn that sometime you can’t fight chemistry or fate.  No matter how many walls you build up, there is going to be one person that can break through them.
Over all I really, really enjoyed this short story.  My only problem was that I think that Marissa adjusted way too quickly to the changes that fell upon her. But maybe it was the alcohol or her over whelming urge to be with Evan.  But either way I loved Evan and Marissa together. I hope that we get to see them some in the next two books. I am looking forward to Aiden (Hot Vampire Seduction) & Troy’s (Hot Vampire Touch) books.
If you are looking for a really good, fast, hot short read. I would encourage you to go grab a copy of Hot Vampire Kiss by Lisa Renee Jones. 
Hot Vampire Seduction
Book two, Aiden’s story
The underground vampire population of Austin, Texas has taken to hosting orgies with human women who’ve been forced to indulge in a new aphrodisiac. The drug, Blood Red, is a mixture of a rare type of werewolf blood and that of a vampire. Blood Red creates an insatiable desire for sex in the user to the point of pain in the absence of pleasure. Sometimes that pain leads to death.
Vampire Warden, Aiden Brooks, has spent more than a hundred years enforcing the laws of his race, and life has taught him that anyone that he allows into his world ends up dead. Despite knowing this all too well, having painfully loved and lost in his past, when his search for the creator of Blood Red places coroner Kelly Riggs directly in both his path, and that of a dangerous clan of vampires, his desire for her goes well beyond offering her protection. He’s drawn to her bravery, seduced by her feisty spirit and beauty, but he is determined to resist her, fearing he will put her in harms way. But Kelly is already on the radar of the enemy, and when she gets too close to the evil vampire clan’s secrets, she is given Blood Red. Now Aiden’s hunger for her might be the only thing that can keep her alive but who will save her from him?
My Thoughts:
Hot Vampire Seduction, picks up where we left off in Hot Vampire Kiss.  But the focus of this book is middle brother Aiden, who by the way is my favorite of the 3 Brooks brothers.    
Aiden may have always looked up to his big brother but falling in love was never part of his plan.  That is until Kelly walks into his life.  Then everything changes and Aiden realizes that Kelly is the one and without her he will not survive.  He is willing to do anything to keep her safe
I really loved Aiden and Kelly’s (such a great name for a heroine) story.
Hot Vampire Touch
Book three, Troy’s book
In blood they will find destiny and the eternal bond of passion…
A Vampire Warden betrayed by a werewolf he loved, turned into something not Vampire or Wolf. The woman – the wolf – who will heal him…if he doesn’t destroy them both first.
My thoughts:
Hot Vampire Touch was a great conclusion to the Vampire Warden Series.
We have all grown to love Troy in Hot Vampire Kiss and Hot Vampire Seduction.  As the baby brother of Ethan and Aiden, we all want to know who and what happened to Troy.  In Hot Vampire Touch we get all these questions answered. 
It was great to see Troy grow over the course of these three books.  In Hot Vampire Touch we see how Troy finally comes to terms with who is his now.  He learns that no matter what he may or may not be he is still worthy of love.  Not just the love of his brothers, but the love of one very special woman.
If you have read the first to books in the Vampire Warden series you will not be disappointed with Hot Vampire Touch.  If you have not read the series yet, you can now order the whole trilogy here.  I would highly suggest you step in the world of the Vampire Wardens and see the lengths they will go to protect us and the ones they love.
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Review of Jaguar’s Rule by TJ Michaels

Jaguar’s Rule
By TJ Michaels
This book also featured in
‘Doing it the Hard Way’ print anthology
(Pocket Books)
Genre: Shape-shifter / Paranormal
ISBN (eBook): 978-1-4658-7303-3
Release Date: Print 2009, Digital 2011
Read the Reviews
Order Paperback: Amazon | Simon & Schuster | Barnes and Noble
Order eBook: Kindle | Nook | All Others
Reya Daines has dedicated her life to the conservation of Jaguars. With the only bed breakfast at the entrance to Cockscomb Jaguar Sanctuary, she can keep an eye on poachers and still indulge her guests in her first love – scuba diving. But something unusual is happening on the reserve and the big cats are restless. Something has invaded their habitat. And that something wants Reya.
Aaron James is a hard nut to crack. A shrewd businessman and always determined to see to his own affairs, he finds he can’t quite take care of things himself after his plane goes down in the jungles of Belize. The woman who rescues him is a loner, just like him. But he finds he doesn’t want her to be a loner, unless she’s alone with him. When he learns she’s in danger by the same menace she’s saved him from twice, what’s a determined man to do with an equally stubborn woman? Tie her to a bed? Now that has potential…
My thoughts:
I won’t give much away in my review, but I loved that the heroine is the shifter. Reya is a strong, determined and stubborn to a fault heroine and I loved her to death.   But everything she is will never prepare her for the man she just saved from a burning plane.
Jaguar’s rule is a very hot, steamy, fast, intensely captivating read. I love the world that TJ created in this book and I am looking forward to what she has in store for us next. 
Want to learn more about TJ? 
Find her here:  http://www.tjmichaels.com/
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ARC Review of If You See Her by Shiloh Walker

If You See Her
Book 2 The Ash Series
By Shiloh Walker
Amazon | B & N | Booksamillion | Indiebound | Book Depository
A FACE IN THE MIRROR
Hope Carson may not look like a survivor, but she has escaped an abusive ex-husband and recovered from a vicious assault. Now she endures the painful memories and suspicious rumors surrounding her involvement in the attack. Her ex is a cop, so the last people she trusts are law enforcement officials—and she certainly doesn’t trust how the local DA makes her feel inside.
Remy Jennings should know better. He has no business falling for a woman who he suspects may have a deeply troubled mind. And even if he did make a move, she’d bolt like a frightened rabbit. But how can he deny a burning desire that threatens to consume him? As Hope’s past catches up with her in the worst way, Remy is determined to break through her defenses, earn her trust, and keep her safe in his arms—before it’s too late.
My Thoughts:
If You See Her is book 2 in Shiloh Walker’s Ash Trilogy.  In book 1 If You Hear Her we are introduced to the town of Ash, Kentucky.  In book 1 we are thrown into a murder mystery.  If You See Her picks up where we left off in book 1, I would highly recommend that you read If You Hear Her, before If You See Her.
This was a great, highly intense, fast moving story, with lots of twists and turns along the way.  You never know who is the good guy or the bad guy.  And just when you think you have it figured out you find you are wrong.
I truly enjoyed this story.  Each story in this Trilogy keeps getting better and better.  I am so looking forward to the third and final book in the Ash Trilogy-If You Know Her.
If you have not started this series and you love romantic suspense stories.  I would highly recommend you read the Ash series. 

Want to learn more about Shiloh and her books? 
Check her out here: http://www.shilohwalker.com/
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My review of Wicked Werewolf Nights by Lisa Renee Jones

Wicked Werewolf Nights
by Lisa Renee Jones
book 1 in The Werewolf Society series
A witch after his secret. A wolf after her pleasure.
Nico Moore is the leader of of The Werewolf Society’s elite Royal Guard. Aylia Richardson is the witch who calls to the beast in Nico, but destiny has also made her the keeper of a gift that threatens the very existence of his race. To destroy this gift will destroy this woman…the only one he has ever dared to call ‘mate’.
Buy:
Smashwords|Barnes and Noble| Kindle| All Romance
Visit the Series Page
READ an EXCERPT
My Thoughts:
I so love the cover of Wicked Werewolf Nights.  I was so looking forward to reading this book after finishing Troy’s book Hot Vampire Touch (book 3 of the Vampire Warden series).  But I felt just a little let down with this story.  Now don’t get me wrong I really enjoyed the story.  I just wish that it would have been a little longer.  I think that there was so much more we needed to know about Nico & Alyia.  I am looking forward to learning more about the Werewolf Society in the next two books.
If you love the Vampire Warden series you will love the Werewolf Society series.
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Guest Review of Fiona by Linda Andrews

Fiona by Linda Andrews
Amazon  
 Searching for her missing aunt and uncle, self-reliant American heiress Fiona Grey needs the reclusive Marquess of Kingslee to introduce her to the upper echelon of London society. But Kingslee knows her type—rich, spoilt and on the prowl for a husband. Despite the lure of intrigue surrounding Fiona and her missing family members, he wants nothing to do with her…until a murderer begins to take interest.
Guest Blogger Natasha’s Thoughts:
 This was a very entertaining and fun read. This story started out in mystery with unusual characters (ghosts named Milton) and was a little hard to follow at first. Once I got my bearings however I was able to really enjoy the story. Fiona is a very strong and witty heroine that I loved reading about. Her banter with Hugh and her late fiance Milton are great parts of the story. The mystery in the story in addition to the comical moments keeps you interested the whole time!
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Guest Review of Be My Everything by Ella Jade

Be My Everything by Ella Jade
Genre(s): Erotic Contemporary Romance/BDSM
Digital ISBN: 9781937325060

Lucas and Katherine enter into the perfect arrangement to fulfill their sexual needs, but what happens when their hearts get in the way?
Shy, awkward receptionist Katherine Sierra wants to explore her sexually submissive side. Although new to the BDSM world, she’s eager to learn. When she attends a play party and submits an application to one of the most experienced Doms in the room, she has no idea what she’s gotten herself into.
Successful businessman and hardcore Dominant Lucas Cain knows his way around a playroom and doesn’t normally take on brand new subs. He’s apprehensive about training someone so innocent, but the more time he spends with Katherine the more intrigued he becomes. She may be everything he’s been searching for.
But when Lucas requests that Colin, his friend and mentor, join them in the playroom for an evening of fun, it just might change everything.
Has Lucas broken his own rule and fallen in love with his sub?
Content Warning: strong language, graphic sex, BDSM themes
Read An Excerpt
Guest Reviewer Kellie:
Want to get your toes wet in the BDSM world?  Not ready for the onslaught of wipes and chains but still want the passion a little kink can bring into your life?  Read Be My Everything by Ella Jade.  This charming short story gives you a brief and shallow glimpse but with all the intensity into that world.  A Dom who has played for years in this alternate lifestyle finds his match in the innocence of a newbie.  Luke and Katherine will pull you in and you’ll find yourself rooting for the weaker of the two, of course it’s not who you think. 
Do enjoy this feel good love story with a twist.
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Review of Fever by Joan Swan

Fever
By Joan Swan
Amazon | B&N
Paperback: 448 pages
Publisher: Brava (February 28, 2012)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0758266383
ISBN-13: 978-0758266385
When Dr. Alyssa Foster is taken hostage by a prison inmate, she knows she’s in deep trouble. Not just because Teague Creek is desperate for freedom. But because the moment his fingers brush against her skin, Alyssa feels a razor-sharp pang of need…A man with a life sentence has nothing to lose. At least Teague doesn’t, until his escape plan develops a fatal flaw: Alyssa. On the run from both the law and deadly undercover operatives, he can only give her lies, but every heated kiss tells him the fire between them could be just as devastating as the flames that changed him forever.
My thoughts:
Fever is Joan Swan’s break out novel.  I had the great pleasure of getting to read an ARC of Fever.  LOVED!!! LOVED!!!! LOVED this book!!!
Joan has created a world for us that starts with a single event.  A Fire.  A warehouse fire.   A warehouse fire that will forever change the life’s of the men and women caught in that fire.
In Fever we meet Teague Creek an man on the run.  On a mission to get to the one person he loves the most and nothing or no one will stand in his way.  Teague is a tough talking, tough looking man who deep down is very loving and tormented by the past.  I loved Teague.  Loved to see how he grows over the course of this book.  How he changes, how he tries to protect the ones he loves, even the one that have hurt him in the past.  But Teague’s biggest lesson learned is to Trust.  To trust those around him.
Alyssa kicks butt.  For a girl who was in the wrong place at the wrong time she makes a great heroine.  I love to watch her stand up to these tough talking guys and bring them to their knees. 
I loved this book and can’t wait for the second installment in this series.  If you want to sneak peak at Fever, head over to Joan’s website and you can read chapter 1.
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Review of Third Grave Dead Ahead by Darynda Jones

Third Grave Dead Ahead
by Darynda Jones
Amazon | B&N 
Hardcover: 320 pages
Publisher: St. Martin’s Press (January 31, 2012)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1250001544
ISBN-13: 978-1250001542
Paranormal private eye. Grim reaper extraordinaire. Whatever. Charley Davidson is back! And she’s drinking copious amounts of caffeine to stay awake because, every time she closes her eyes, she sees him: Reyes Farrow, the part human, part-supermodel son of Satan. Yes, she did imprison him for all eternity, but come on. How is she supposed to solve a missing persons case, deal with an ego-driven doctor, calm her curmudgeonly dad, and take on a motorcycle gang hell bent on murder when the devil’s son just won’t give up?
My Thoughts:
Oh Me, Oh My, Charley & Reyes WHY? WHY? WHY?  
Darynda sucked me back into to the world of Charley Davidson.  In this third installment of Charley’s series, we find Charley try to solve yet another missing person case.  But not everything is as it seems.  Charley meets some new friends and says good bye to some old.
I am not sure anything will be the same in Charley’s world after Third Grave Dead Ahead.
For those of you that want to know.  YES!!!! There will be more books in the Grave series.  Darynda told me that she has signed on for book 4 (Fall 2012) & 5.  And THANK GOODNESS because by the time I was done with Third Grave I was screaming “NO!!!! NO!!!! NO!!!!!! Damn you Darynda for doing this to me!!!”
For those who loved First Grave & Second Grave, Third Grave gives you all the humor, sexual tension, emotional highs and lows you got in the first two books along with some surprisingly new developments and will leave you crying for MORE!!!!!
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Review of Darker After Midnight by Lara Adrian

Darker After Midnight
Amazon | B&N
by Lara Adrian
Hardcover: 384 pages
Publisher: Delacorte Press (January 24, 2012)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 034553087X
ISBN-13: 978-0345530875
In the dark of night, a blood war escalates within the hidden world of the Breed. After existing in secret for many long centuries, maintaining a fragile peace with the humans who walk beside them unaware, a single act of retaliation has put the entire vampire nation at risk of discovery. It falls to the Order–a cadre of Breed warriors pledged to protect their own and humankind alike–to stop Dragos, the power-mad vampire at the center of the conflict, before his push for domination can explode into catastrophe.
At the center of the Order’s quest is Sterling Chase, once a morally rigid enforcer of Breed law, now a warrior fallen from grace, whose biggest battle is the one he wages against his own savage nature. With addiction beckoning him toward eternal darkness, Chase’s path to redemption has never seemed more out of reach–until he finds himself drawn to a beautiful young woman who may be something much more than she seems . . .
My Thoughts: 
I can’t even tell you how much I enjoyed this book.  Well I could, but I am going to keep this review spoiler free.  So here are my spoiler free thoughts.
There is so much happening in this book.  The Order and the Midnight Breed world as we know it will never be the same again.  In Darker After Midnight we do get to see all of our favorite Breed Warriors again.  We get to see how things are going for them and there are some huge surprises too!!
I will say that Chase does have an uphill battle in this book.  He and only he can change this path of destruction he is on.  If you have read through to Hunter’s book you will know what I am talking about.
We met Tavia very briefly at the end of Deeper Than Midnight (Hunter’s book, book 9 in the series) .  From the moment Chase sees Tavia there is something very different about her. Tavia may just be the one person that can help Chase realize just how important he really is to everyone.  But that is if Chase can stop long enough to see what is in front of him.
As I said before the world of the Midnight Breeds will never be the same after this book.  I am so excited to see what Lara has in store for us next.  There where so many twists and turns in Darker After Midnight and I personally loved every one of them.  Chases’ book is my new favorite of the series. 
Oh and the next book in the series is going to knock your socks off… and of course you know I will not tell you who’s book is next.  But I am SO EXCITED for it!!!!!!
I have to say HUGE Thank you to Lara for the opportunity to read Darker After Midnight early and review for her.  
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Hearts ‘n’ Holly
Multiple Authors
Amazon 
Format: Kindle Edition
File Size: 375 KB
Simultaneous Device Usage: Unlimited
Publisher: http://www.xoxopublishing.com (November 16, 2011)
My Thoughts:
This was a fun anthology of Christmas Stories.  There is a little something for everyone.  Whether you like it sweet, sexy, or searing you will find it here. 
If you are looking for some quick feel good Christmas stories to extend the holiday season I would suggest picking up a copy of Hearts ‘n’ Holly