Kimberly reviews Hunger’s Mate Part 1 by A.C. Arthur

TITLE: Hunger’s Mate Part 1
SERIES #: Shadow Shifters #5
CHARACTERS: Jewel & Ezra
AUTHOR: A.C. Arthur
PUBLICATION DATE: 01/13/15
ORDER LINKS: Amazon| B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Part One in an Exclusive Four-Part Novel　Half man, half animal, a Shadow Shifter must walk the line between predator and prey. Love and lust. And pure, blind hunger…A natural born hunter proud of his birthright, Ezra Preston agrees to hide his true identity and pretend to be human to learn what his enemies know of his kind. But even undercover, it’s not in his nature to play games with a woman. Especially when he discovers a creature as mysterious—and utterly delectable—as Jewel Jenner. Can she be trusted? The only thing Ezra knows for sure is that she cannot be resisted…

REVIEW:
This seems to be the new thing to do. Release books in parts and then release the whole book after. It is honestly not a favorite new trend of mine. I want the whole book when I get a book. Now that being said I have all 4 parts through NetGalley thankfully. And this first part really hooked me. I want to know what will happen next and luckily I am able to go right to the next part and begin reading but I can see how frustrating it would be for fans of the story/author to have to wait a week.

I am really enjoying Ezra. There is just something about him that I find interesting. We haven’t really gotten to see too much of Jewel yet but what we have seen I like. She is running from her past but it has caught up to her at the end of this part and Ezra just may end up going nuts if he can’t get to her soon. And that is where we are left… until part 2. So far so good. And off we go to the next part.

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

January 13, 2015January 10, 2015

Kelly reviews Wicked Wolf by Carrie Ann Ryan

TITLE: Wicked Wolf
SERIES #: 1001 Dark Nights #13 /Redwood Pack #8
CHARACTERS: Quinn Weston & Gina Eaton
AUTHOR: Carrie Ann Ryan
PUBLICATION DATE: January 13, 2015
ORDER LINKS:Amazon| B&N (Coming soon)

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
The war between the Redwood Pack and the Centrals is one of wolf legend. Gina Eaton lost both of her parents when a member of their Pack betrayed them. Adopted by the Alpha of the Pack as a child, Gina grew up within the royal family to become an enforcer and protector of her den. She’s always known fate can be a tricky and deceitful entity, but when she finds the one man that could be her mate, she might throw caution to the wind and follow the path set out for her, rather than forging one of her own.

Quinn Weston’s mate walked out on him five years ago, severing their bond in the most brutal fashion. She not only left him a shattered shadow of himself, but their newborn son as well. Now, as the lieutenant of the Talon Pack’s Alpha, he puts his whole being into two things: the safety of his Pack and his son.

When the two Alphas put Gina and Quinn together to find a way to ensure their treaties remain strong, fate has a plan of its own. Neither knows what will come of the Pack’s alliance, let alone one between the two of them. The past paved their paths in blood and heartache, but it will take the strength of a promise and iron will to find their future

REVIEW:
Wicked Wolf takes place 15 years after the end of the war between the Redwood and the Centrals. Things are slowing getting back to normal. But with the treaty between the Redwoods and the Talons still new and fresh the Alpha’s of both pack know something needs to be done to ease tension. They do this by forming a committee that will be run by Gina & Quinn. Only problem is that these two are having a hard time getting a long and fighting fate. But as always fate will not be denied, she is a fickle bitch and always gets what she wants. Or does she????

Another great story from Ms. Ryan. Carrie Ann has a great way of tugging at your heart strings while giving you a huge case of anxiety all at the same time. I love it. Well maybe I could live without the anxiety, but what fun would that be right? Quinn and Gina’s story was great. And a perfect segway into Ms. Ryan’s upcoming Talon Pack series. I can’t wait.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Evil Eye Concepts, Incorporated in exchange for an honest review. This review is my own opinion and not a paid review.

January 6, 2015December 28, 2014

Kelly & Kimberly review Hungry Like The Wolf by Paige Tyler

TITLE: Hungry Like the Wolf
SERIES #: SWAT #1
CHARACTERS: Gage Dixon & Mackenzie Stone
AUTHOR: Paige Tyler
PUBLICATION DATE: January 6, 2015
ORDER LINKS:Amazon| B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
INTRODUCING SWAT: SPECIAL WOLF ALPHA TEAM
They’re tight
They’re on target
They’re as alpha as men can get.

The Dallas SWAT team is hiding one helluva secret . . . they’re a pack of wolf shifters.

The team of elite sharpshooters is ultra-secretive—and also the darlings of Dallas. This doesn’t sit well with investigative journalist Mackenzie Stone. They must be hiding something . . . and she’s determined to find out what.

Keeping Mac at a distance proves impossible for SWAT team commander Gage Dixon. She’s smart, sexy, and makes him feel alive for the first time in years. But she’s getting dangerously close to the truth—and perilously close to his heart.

KELLY’S REVIEW:
3.75 Hearts Mackenzie Stone will do anything for a story. Her motto is “The truth should be told”, even if people get hurt. The story comes first. But Mac will soon learn that sometimes the truth can do more than hurt it can destroy.
Gage Dixon is the leader of the SWAT team. And he always puts his pack first. But when the nosey Ms. Stone butts her way into his life he either has to kick her to the curb and risk her finding out the true. Or pull her in and show her enough to throw her off the scent. Question is which is the lesser of the two evils?
This is going to be a good series I can see it already. I really did enjoy this first book. And like many first books in a series there is a lot of world building and history that needs to be laid out. So at times Hungry Like the Wolf was just a tad bit slow for me. At times I wanted to punt Gage & Mac both. But all in all I liked the story and can’t wait for more of these Wolf’s.

KIMBERLY’S REVIEW:
3 Hearts I had a hard time with this book. First I really didn’t feel like the characters had chemistry. I wasn’t too fond of the whole journalist thing and her using the team for information. I didn’t enjoy the writing very much and while I think the story had potential it didn’t meet it.

I really never became a fan of Mac’s. She seems cold and unfriendly, just like a stereotypical reporter, but maybe because of the beginning I never warmed up to her. Gage is good. I liked him. And I liked the Pack but just not the story. I didn’t like Mac’s reaction to finding out the info.

I am not sure why this book just didn’t sit well with me but it didn’t I am sorry to say.

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

January 1, 2015December 28, 2014

Kelly reviews Her Secret Agent by Paige Tyler

TITLE: Her Secret Agent
SERIES #: X-Ops #0.5
CHARACTERS: John Loughlin & Cree Forest
AUTHOR: Paige Tyler
PUBLICATION DATE: December 2, 2014
ORDER LINKS:Amazon| B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
John Loughlin, the Director of the Department of Covert Ops, is in New York City on a recruiting mission. He’s been tracking and evaluating one shifter in particular for some time. Cree Forest is a clever fox shifter—and very foxy. Cree is a translator for the UN and John is keen to recruit her brilliant mind and persuasive skills to join the DCO.

But Cree isn’t what she seems. Just as John has been watching her, Cree has been spying on him. She is working with a rogue shifter and John is getting too close—professionally and personally! On opposite sides professionally, can they trust each other with their hearts?

REVIEW:
John Loughlin is a man that prides himself on always being prepared. So when he sets up a meeting with one very foxy Cree Forest, John thinks he has it all worked out. But unfortunately or maybe fortunately for John things don’t go according to plan.

Oh this story was way too short!!! I want more of John & Cree. I hope that by releasing this novella it means that John will be getting a full length novel soon and a very happy HEA!

If you have read the first 2 books in the X-Ops series you will love this short novella and glimpse into John’s life. If you are new to this series feel free to start with either the novella or book 1.

Disclaimer:
I purchased a copy of this book. This review is my own opinion and not a paid review.

December 18, 2014November 29, 2014

Kelly reviews The Accidental Human by Dakota Cassidy

TITLE: The Accidental Human
SERIES #: Accidentals #3
CHARACTERS: Heath Jefferson & Wanda Schwartz
AUTHOR: Dakota Cassidy
NARRATOR: Meredith Mitchell
PUBLICATION DATE: May 21, 2014
RUN TIME: 10 Hours & 42 Minutes
ORDER LINKS: Amazon| B&N | Audible

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Immortality bites- new from the author of Accidentally Dead and The Accidental Werewolf.

Wanda Schwartz is raking in the dough selling Bobbie-Sue Cosmetics-and she’s a pro at recruiting new saleswomen. So, she’s shocked when a man comes to one of her in-home parties-a very hot man. Heath Jefferson is sure to put some extra spin into a lot of women’s color wheels.

When Wanda is diagnosed with a terminal illness, it doesn’t have to be a death sentence. With a werewolf and a vampire for best friends, she has options that most ordinary people wouldn’t. As Wanda ponders what to do about her mortality, Heath reveals he has secrets, and one of them is that his former bloodlust has turned into an old-fashioned lust-for Wanda. And he’s already given up too much to lose the love of his lifetimes.

REVIEW:
Wanda Schwartz is keeping a secret from her two best friends. A secret that once it gets out will change everything. But in the mean time Wanda has to get ready for her open house and sign up some new recruits for Bobby Sue. But Wanda’s newest and brightest recruit my just challenge ever one of Wanda’s last nerves.

To say that Heath Jefferson is having a rough go of it would be an understatement. Poor guys only has the cloths on his back, a watch, his man servant and his car. But when he sees the add to make a bunch of money in a short period of time he jumps at the chance. Only problem. He is a man. Yes, a man. A man who is willing to sell woman’s makeup to make a buck.

I was so excited to get to Wanda’s book. And while the story was good, the beginning was just a tad bit slow for me. But as the story went on I found that it got better and better. The last few chapters were my favorite of the whole book. I liked Wanda and Heath. I thought they were pretty funny together. It was fun to see Marty and Nina too. Even if my ears will never be the same after listening to Nina talk (Wowza that girl needs a bar of soap). All in all I am glad that I stuck with this book and finished it out.

Again, Ms. Mitchell does a great job of bring Ms. Cassidy’s characters to life. There were a few time when Ms. Mitchell was reading Nina’s dialog that I felt a little bad and shocked. She really was able to get into Nina’s potty mouth. I often wonder how narrator’s feel about things like that. 🙂 But I loved it and I can’t wait for the next book in this series.

Disclaimer:
I purchased a copy of this audiobook from Audible.com. This review is my own opinion and not a paid review.

December 10, 2014December 8, 2014

Kelly’s interesting interview with Zane from Marked by Rebecca Zanetti’s + a giveaway

Books-n-Kisses is super excited to have Zane from Rebecca Zanetti Marked on the blog today. MARKED is the last book in Ms. Zanetti Dark Protector’s series. While I am so very sad to see this series come to an end, but I am excited to finally learn more about Zane. There have been so many questions about what and who Zane is. And how he will help or hinder the Janie Kayrs. So let’s see if we can get some information from Zane so we can figure out what he is. But before we do that let’s take a quick look at MARKED.

Marked

Dark Protectors #7

Amazon| B&N

Janie Kayrs has known Zane almost her whole life. He was her friend in the dream world. She trusted him. But that was before he kidnapped her, spiriting her away to an isolated cabin to learn what her dreams never told her. Like how dangerous he looks. How he got on the wrong side of the negotiating table. And how much sexier he is in real life…

Zane is a battle-hardened warrior, used to command and solitude. But Janie has drawn him from the minute they met. His need for her could destroy everything he’s worked for, but the risk is too sweet not to take it. They call her the Chosen One. But when it comes down to the questions of peace or war, life or death, safety or passion, it will be Janie who makes the choice.

*****

Now on to the interview.

Kelly: Hi Zane, Welcome to Books-n-Kisses

Zane: Ah, Hi, Kelly. I’m new to the interview scene, so go easy on me, will you? J

Kelly: Thank you for taking time away from your busy……. schedule to sit down with me to take to talk about…. well you.

Zane: Sure. Not much is going on right now besides war, world catastrophe, and my unsettled love life.

Kelly: Okay I have to ask because everyone wants to know. What are you?

Zane: Just a regular guy, I think. I mean, I’m a soldier and part vampire, but really, I’m just a normal soldier with maybe a couple of secrets thrown in. I like beer, football, inventing new weapons. You know. Normal guy stuff.

Kelly: Okay *thinks to self: so that didn’t work* How about a game of 20 questions?

Zane: I do love a good game. Usually when I win, I take over a continent, though.

Kelly: Sounds good.

Zane: All right – shoot them my way.

Kelly: Questions #1: What is your favorite color?

Zane: Blue – the exact color of Janie’s eyes.

Kelly: Questions #2: Do you have any magical powers?

Zane: Yes.

Kelly: Questions #3: Who is your favorite person in the whole world?

Zane: Janie Belle Kayrs would have to be number one. But I also like my brothers, usually. Their names are Sam and Logan.

Kelly: Questions #4: What are you?

Zane: Just a regular guy.

Kelly: Questions #5: Who is your least favorite person in the world?

Zane: I’d have to say Kalin, who’s a Kurjan, is probably my least favorite person. It’s hard to completely hate him, though. We’ve known each other since we were kids, and even when you don’t like somebody, there’s a type of bond you get with people you’ve known forever, you know? I hope I don’t have to kill him, but to save Janie, I may have to. I’m prepared.

Kelly: Questions #6: How tall are you?

Zane: Last time I checked, I was about 6’6.

Kelly: Questions #7: Do you drink blood?

Zane: I’m part vampire, so I do drink blood during battle or maybe during sex. We don’t need blood to survive and can make our own. I plan on biting Janie, just so you know.

Kelly: Questions #8: Do you dream walk with anyone except Janie?

Zane: No. Well, Kalin shows up sometimes, but Janie’s the draw for us both. Kalin and I have never met in the dream world without Janie.

Kelly: Questions #9: What are you?

Zane: A realist. I enjoy the romances throughout the Realm, but really? I don’t see myself having a happy ending. Of course, I hope I’m wrong about that.

Kelly: Questions #10: Tell me your favorite thing about Janie?

Zane: She’s smart as hell and a complete smartass. The smartass part is just a cover-up to keep everyone around her calm. She really has a huge heart, and she’s incredibly fragile but has no clue how true that is. Fate and destiny weigh heavily on her, and I have a feeling she’s about to meet both. She’ll win, though. She has to.

Kelly: Questions #11: Football or Basketball?

Zane: Football. I have two brothers, and we like to hit things.

Kelly: Questions #12: What do you do for a living?

Zane: I’m a soldier and a pretty damn good assassin. That weighs on me, to be honest.

Kelly: Questions #13: How much can you deadlift?

Zane: Two vampires and a Kurjan.

Kelly: Questions #14: What are you?

Zane: A guy about to make a move to get the woman I’ve loved for years. That makes me more dangerous than I’ve ever been, but I’m okay with that now.

Kelly: Questions #15: If you could go anywhere in the world for one night where would you go?

Zane: Well, okay. Don’t tell anybody, but I do have a retreat in the wilds of Alaska where I just get away from everybody and everything once in a while. I love that place.

Kelly: Questions #16: Whom would you take with you on the one night?

Zane: Janie Belle Kayrs, but she’d probably be mad if I kidnapped her. Not that I kidnap her or anything. Really. Trust me. J

Kelly: Questions #17: Whom do you work for?

Zane: If I told you who I worked for, I’d have to make sure you couldn’t tell anybody else, and I don’t know of any nice way to do that. So let’s just say I do have a job, and it’s bloody.

Kelly: Questions #18: Naughty or Nice?

Zane: Naughty. Life is too short for Nice.

Kelly: Questions #19: What are you?

Zane: Who are any of us? I guess it’d depend who you asked as to who I am. I’ve got friends, I’ve got enemies, and I’ve got Janie Belle Kayrs. Whether she considers herself friend or enemy, I don’t know yet. But I do know that she’s mine, so we’ll have to figure it all out, won’t we?

Kelly: Questions #20: Okay fine. Final question Boxers or Briefs?

Zane: Who has time for either?

Kelly: Okay seriously Zane, Off the record. What are you?

Zane: Okay, seriously. Off the record. Read MARKED. At the end of Chapter 1, both you and Janie will know exactly what I am. Let’s hope you’re not as pissed as Janie is. I do have a plan, you know.

For my first interview, this is been a lot of fun. To celebrate, I’d love to give away a print copy of FATED, the first book in the Dark Protector series, to a commenter here. Kelly will randomly draw a name. Just so you know, the book is about Talen Kayrs, who’s Janie’s father. The first time I met him, it, ah, didn’t go so well.

Here’s the blurb:

The damn earth ground to a stop. A weapon hit the pavement a yard away. Dage Kayrs’s eyes widened, and Moira Kayrs gasped.

Zane sighed and focused just as a locomotive the size of Talen Kayrs tackled him midsection, throwing him ten yards and landing hard on his chest. Zane’s head crashed onto the asphalt. Stars exploded behind his eyeballs, and unbearable pain cut into his brain. He tried to concentrate, to say something, when a fist plowed into his face.

Unconsciousness was a fucking blessing.

*****

To Enter: Please leave a question or comment for Ms. Zanetti.
Winner will be picked on Dec 15th.

December 8, 2014November 29, 2014

Kelly reviews Wolf’s Fall by JD Tyler

TITLE: Wolf’s Fall
SERIES #: Alpha Pack #6
CHARACTERS: Nick Westfall & Calla Shaw
AUTHOR: JD Tyler
PUBLICATION DATE: December 2, 2014
ORDER LINKS: Amazon| B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
A top secret team of wolf shifters, the Alpha Pack are former Navy SEALS that use their Psy powers to take on the world’s greatest predators. But while each member is loyal to the pack, it can be hard to deny the call of desire…

Still tormented by his recent captivity, Alpha Pack commander Nick Westfall isn’t sure he’s fit to lead—especially when he meets the one woman he can’t claim without reliving the torture he endured at the hands of a rogue vampire.

Vampire princess Calla Shaw has seen her own share of heartbreak, but she can tell that the wild attraction she and Nick feel for each other could turn into something significant—if only he’d let it. But Calla isn’t about to give up on her mate without a fight.

Time is running out, not only for Nick to claim his mate, but for Calla and her coven. A vampire war is on the horizon, one the Alpha Pack can’t hope to win if their leader can’t pull himself back from the abyss

REVIEW:
3.5 Hearts ***Warning***
If you have not read Cole’s Redemption you may not want to read this book yet. The events that happened in book 5 shape the dynamic of book 6. You have been warned. I will do my best to keep the review spoiler free for those who have not read book 5 yet.
***End of Warning***

Wolf’s Fall picks up after the devastating events in Cole’s Redemption. I can remember reading Cole’s Redemption thinking how on earth could Ms. Tyler let this happen to Nick. Not my big strong Nick. But at last it did happen and Nick has to try to move on. Which is not an easy thing for him to do. Through in the fact that he just met his mate and she is of all things a vampire.
Wolf’s Fall took me on a lot of highs and lows. Lows as to how low Nick really is. Highs that Calla is there for him. Lows of the suffering that Calla has to endure. Highs that Nick finally sees the light. All in all this was a very good book and a really quick read for me. There were just a few holes in the story for me. Things moved very quickly, which is fine but I would have like to see more relationship building.

Even with that I am so very very glad that Nick got his story and hope that this will lead him on the path of healing.

If you are a fan of the Alpha Pack you will surely enjoy Nick’s book, especially after Cole’s Redemption.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley & PENGUIN GROUP Berkley, NAL / Signet Romance, DAW in exchange for an honest review. This review is my own opinion and not a paid review.

November 7, 2014November 2, 2014

Kelly & Kimberly review Her Lone Wolf by Paige Tyler

TITLE: Her Lone Wolf
SERIES #: X-Ops #2
CHARACTERS: Clayne Buchanan & Danica Beckett
AUTHOR: Paige Tyler
PUBLICATION DATE: November 4, 2014
ORDER LINKS: Amazon| B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Leaving him was Impossible…

It took everything she had for FBI Special Agent Danica Beckett to walk away from the man she loved. But if she wants to save his life, she has to keep her distance. Now, with a killer on the loose and the stakes higher than ever before, the Department of Covert Ops is forcing these former lovers into an uneasy alliance…whether they like it or not.

Seeing her again is even worse…

The last thing Clayne Buchanan wants is to be shackled to the woman who broke his heart. She gets under his skin in a way no one ever has and makes him want things he has no right to anymore. All he has to do is suffer through this case and he can be free of her for good. But when Clayne finds out why Danica left in the first place, everything he’s tried to bury comes roaring back—and there’s no way this wolf shifter is going to take no for an answer this time.

KELLY’S REVIEW:
3.75 Hearts I think I can sum up this book in a few words: Tension, Anxiety, Deception and Relief.

Her Lone Wolf is book 2 in Paige Tyler’s X-Ops series. We pick up shortly after the events from book one (I would suggest reading in order, but you don’t have to). Ivy and Landon are still working on the issues from book one (no I am not going to tell you what they are). But Clayne is sent on a mission to help hunt a serial killer. But when Clayne gets to the west coast a very unpleasant surprise is waiting for him. The woman who broke his heart 2 years ago.
To say that the tension between Clayne & Danica was mild would be understated. These two love and hate each other for many reason all of which boils down to the fact that neither wants to live without the other.
There is a lot going on in this book. We jump from Clayne & Danica in the future, to them in the past, to Ivy & Landon back to Clayne & Danica’s current mission. It took me a while to figure out how Clayne & Danica’s mission factored in with Landon & Ivy’s but it all came clear the farther I got into the book. Unfortunately it left many questions unanswered and left me wondering just who can they trust.
I am looking forward to the next book in these series. The epilogue was a little disturbing……..

KIMBERLY’S REVIEW:
3 Hearts I am not sure why but I had a hard time reading this story. First Clayne is just mean. Yeah he lightens up some but he has anger management problems that make me just want to slap him and walk away and never look back. Danica seems strong but I think it says something about her that she is into Clayne.

This is the second in the series and the first was a bit different so I was looking forward to this one but it just didn’t interest me at all. I enjoy the background story and am looking forward to reading more in the series to see what happens but I could have done without this part of the story… Or maybe just done without Clayne because if he had been written different I might have been more inclined to enjoy the story.

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

October 8, 2014October 4, 2014

Winter Romance Wednesday: Kelly & Kimberly review A Highland Wolf Christmas by Terry Spears

TITLE: A Highland Wolf Christmas
SERIES #: Heart of the Wolf #15
CHARACTERS: Guthrie MacNeill & Calle Steward
AUTHOR: Terry Spears
PUBLICATION DATE: October 7, 2014
ORDER LINKS:Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Financial advisor Guthrie MacNeill isn’t a complete Scrooge—he just hates the enormous cost associated with the Christmas holiday season. Needless to say, when his pack hires a party planner to decorate the castle, he’s at his wit’s end. Until Calla Stewart arrives on the scene with her mistletoe in hand.

Calla has never had a client as difficult as Guthrie, but she’s determined to give the pack a Christmas season they will never forget—no matter how much it costs. But when her ex-fiancé begins stalking her and threatening her safety, Guthrie decides to loosen his grip on the purse strings and let out his inner Highland warrior wolf to protect her.

KELLY’S REVIEW:
3.75 Hearts Another good Highland Wolf story by Ms. Spears. I enjoyed reading about Guthrie & Calla. These two were fun to read about in Hero of a Highland Wolf when Calla stole Guthrie boxers and hung them up on a pole. From that moment on I knew these two would be great fun to read. And of course the did not disappoint. Both are coming off of bad breakups and both are a little gun shy about a new relationship. Yet they can’t seem to keep their hands and lips for that matter off each other. So rationally the only thing to do is court right? Unfortunately the pass and the people in it keep coming back to try to hurt Calla. But that doesn’t stop them from having a great story.
I am looking forward to the next installment in the Highland Wolf series.

Favorite scene: what is a male wolf to do when trapped under a christmas, while trapping the she wolf he is interested in under him? Well kiss the hell out of her of course. hehehehe Love it. Kissing under the Mistletoe my but, new holiday tradition kissing under the falling christmas tree.

KIMBERLY’S REVIEW:
4.25 Hearts I enjoyed this story very much. I have read some of the series but not all of it but this certainly can be read as a stand alone you will just have the feeling that you missed the story of some of the background characters.

Cassie and Guthrie seem to be perfect for each other. We met Cassie in the last book and we knew she was meant for Guthrie when she stole his boxers for the pirate party the lass’ were having. And we knew there was a connection right then and there and boy is there. Cassie is just coming off of a broken engagement to a wolf she thinks she loved but once she is with Guthrie she wonders if she ever really loved the other wolf. But Baird is not letting her go and while it takes a while we learn why.

The connection that the brothers have is a wonderful back story as well. The closeness is something every family should have. I will say there is not a lot about Christmas in this story so if you are wanting a Holiday themed story this is really not it. But it is a sweet winter tale and one to enjoy if you enjoy the genre.

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

August 27, 2014August 17, 2014

Kimberly reviews Stone Cold Lover by Christine Warren

TITLE: Stone Cold Lover
SERIES #: Gargoyles #2
CHARACTERS: Felicity & Spar
AUTHOR: Christine Warren
PUBLICATION DATE: 08/26/14
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
A prominent art restorer, Felicity is more than game to help a friend track down an obscure statue in Montreal. But when “Fil” finds it, she’s taken by surprise at how drawn she is to this statue. Attracted to it in a way a girl shouldn’t lust for a stone gargoyle, she revists it at night, longing to feel its embrace. Little does Fil know, her desire for this stone cold beast is about to heat up a notch.
Locked in stone for centuries, Spar has slept, waiting for when a human would need him. When he is awoken, Spar is taken aback to find that a human female needs his help. A very sexy woman who’s about to be the victim of a cultist attack. Saving and leaving her should be no problem. But as more questions arise, Spar knows that he cannot rest until Fil is safe in his arms.

REVIEW:
First let me say that this is the second in the series and when I picked it up I actually thought it was the second in another series about gargoyles so I was very confused when I started reading this one. And honestly I never really got into the story. Most certainly you need to read the first one to understand this story. While the romance of it can stand alone the background story can not and while it is explained throughout the story something is missing by having not read the first one.

Spar and Fil are sweet for lack of a better word. Spar is overbearing and protective but do you think a gargoyle who comes to life would be anything but? And Fil has a sarcastic and snide sense of humor which is kind of fun to read.
All in all I would say it is a good story if you start from the beginning and understand it.

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

August 22, 2014August 17, 2014

Kelly reviews Tangle Of Need by Nalini Singh

TITLE: Tangle of Need
SERIES #: Psy-Changeling #11
CHARACTERS: Riaz & Adria
AUTHOR: Nalini Singh
NARRATOR: Angela Dawe
PUBLICATION DATE: May 29, 2012
RUN TIME: 15 Hours & 40 Minutes
ORDER LINKS:Amazon | B&N | Audio

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Adria, wolf changeling and resilient soldier, has made a break with the past—one as unpredictable in love as it was in war. Now comes a new territory, and a devastating new complication: Riaz, a SnowDancer lieutenant already sworn to a desperate woman who belongs to another.

For Riaz, the primal attraction he feels for Adria is a staggering betrayal. For Adria, his dangerous lone-wolf appeal is beyond sexual. It consumes her. It terrifies her. It threatens to undermine everything she has built of her new life. But fighting their wild compulsion toward one another proves a losing battle.

Their coming together is an inferno…and a melding of two wounded souls who promise each other no commitment, no ties, no bonds. Only pleasure. Too late, they realize that they have more to lose than they ever imagined. Drawn into a cataclysmic Psy war that may alter the fate of the world itself, they must make a decision that might just break them both.

REVIEW:
4.75 Hearts Another great book from Nalini. Seriously loving this series and I am so glad that I took the time to listen to them on audio. Ms.Dawe is an awesome narrator that is able to deliver Nalini’s story amazing way. Thank you to both of theses ladies for this series.

**Okay there may be a spoiler from here. So if you have not read you may want to stop. But I will do my best to be not give much away.

I loved that there was so much of Hawke & Sienna in this book 🙂 I think the people that felt there was not enough (I was not one of them) of Hawke and Sienna in Kiss of Snow will be very happy with how much we get to see the SnowDancer Alpha couple. And they are just as prickly sweet as ever. Of course my main man Judd is in this book. Love love love that guy. I really need to get a shirt that says I

But the main story is Riaz & Adria. These two’s story was so heart breaking. I felt for them on such a deep level that I kept waiting for Ms. Singh to make it right. But she didn’t. There was no bandaid for these two to cover up their wounds. And that made me really sad. BUT!!! Unlike some of the reviews I read. I think the Ms. Singh did right by these two and left a door open for there to become more. I am truly hoping that is the case. I guess only time will tell.

I can’t wait to get into Kaleb’s book. There is so much more to this Former Councilor than meets the eye.

Disclaimer:
I purchased this book from Audible and this review is my own opinion and not a paid review.

August 18, 2014August 17, 2014

Natasha reviews Fireborn by Keri Arthur

TITLE: Fireborn
SERIES #: Souls of Fire #1
CHARACTERS: Emberly, Rory, Sam and Jackson
AUTHOR: Keri Arthur
PUBLICATION DATE: 7/1/14
ORDER LINKS: Amazon| B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
From New York Times bestselling author Keri Arthur comes a brand new series featuring heroine Emberly Pearson—a phoenix capable of taking on human form, and cursed with the ability to foresee death…
Emberly has spent a good number of her many lives trying to save humans. So when her prophetic dreams reveal the death of Sam, a man she once loved, she does everything in her power to prevent that from happening. But in saving his life, she gets more than she bargained for.
Sam is working undercover for the Paranormal Investigations Team, and those who are trying to murder him are actually humans infected by a plague-like virus, the Crimson Death—a by-product of a failed government experiment that attempted to identify the enzymes that make vampires immortal. Now, all those infected must be eliminated.
But when Emberly’s boss is murdered and his irreplaceable research stolen, she needs to find the guilty party before she goes down in flames…

REVIEW:
3.5 Hearts I am in love with all of Keri Arthur’s work so I could not wait to read this new series! I love the whole idea of the Phoenix and am super excited this series will focus on them. Emberly is a strong female lead, and I enjoy her interactions very much. You can see she’s a genuinely good person who was handed a super bad lot in her many lifetimes. I adore Rory, and love their interactions and connections together. It reminded me a lot of the comradery we saw in the Riley Jensen series! The love interests: Sam and Jackson. I HATE SAM! Let’s just get that out there. I don’t buy the whole wounded animal persona; he’s a flat out jerk and doesn’t deserve an ounce of the emotion he gets from Emberly. The constant pull and attraction she has to him, even with the horrendous things he’s done is frustrating. I really could do without that, it just makes me want to slap them both! Now Jackson, that’s a great character. I love his personality and overall ability to brighten up the pages. I hope he sticks around in the series for a while. Some situations and phrases seemed repetitive but overall the story was interesting and I’ll follow the series.

Disclaimer:
I purchased a copy of this book on my own. This review is my own opinion and not a paid review.