Kelly’s review of Enforcer’s Redemption by Carrie Ann Ryan

TITLE: Enforcer’s Redemption – Redwood Pack #4
AUTHOR: Carrie Ann Ryan
PUBLICATION DATE: 11/06/12
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N
BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Adam Jamenson has suffered through the worst loss known to man. The only reason he lives day-to-day is to ensure the safety of his Pack. As the Enforcer of the Redwood Pack, it is his job to protect all in his path, though he was unable to protect the ones he held dear. The war with the Centrals is heating up and Adam must try and grit through it in order to survive. Though the broken man inside of him may not want to…
Bay Milton is a werewolf with a past. And a secret. She’s met the Redwood’s Enforcer only once, but it left a lasting effect. Now she needs to find him or everything he had thought he lost, may be lost again.
Together, they must struggle and find a way to fight their pasts and present in order to protect their future. But the Centrals have a plan that might make their path one of loss and destruction.

REVIEW:
Enforcer’s Redemption is Carrie Ann’s fourth book in the Redwood Pack series and we get a closer look at Adam and what makes him tick.

*Tissue Warning* Yes, you may want to have a tissue or two close by because Adam’s book is guaranteed to pull on your heart strings.

Adam is the head enforcer of the Redwood Pack. Which by itself would be hard enough, but because of his position he lost the two most important things in his life. His mate and his unborn child. Since then Adam has retreated into himself and has refused to get close to anyone. But all of that is about to change when Bay Milton, Adam’s one night stand from a very drunken night eight months ago, shows up asking for protection. But there is a problem or two. Bay is Adam’s mate and she is very pregnant.

Adam and Bay’s journey is full of many heart aches, misunderstandings, lies, learning to let the past go, and learning to love & trust again. I really loved Adam & Bay’s story. These two most definitely need a little happiness in their lives. And after a very hard fought battle I believe that they will get it.

If you are a fan of Carrie Ann’s or the Redwood Pack series you will love Adam’s book. If you are new to the pack, while I think you could read Enforce’s Redemption as a stand alone I believe you will get more out of the story if you read the series in order.

#1 An Alpha’s Path
#2 A Taste for A Mate
#3 Trinity Bound
#3.5 A Night Away (novella)
#4 Enforcer’s Redemption

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.

November 5, 2012November 4, 2012

Kimberly’s review of Forever Werewolf/Moon Kisses by Michele Hauf

TITLE: Forever Werewolf/Moon Kisses
AUTHOR: Michele Hauf
PUBLICATION DATE: 09/03/12
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
FOREVER WEREWOLF
Alexis Conner, princess of the Alpine pack and pureblood werewolf, hides a painful secret-she has never shifted. If she can’t shift, she can’t mate, and so Lexi resigned herself to a lifetime of loneliness. But then a stranger arrives, and Lexi senses that her world will never be the same….
A massive avalanche might be to blame for Trystan Hawkes getting stuck at Castle Wulfsiege, but after one look at Lexi, Trystan is not about to leave. Lexi is strong, smart and incredibly sexy. Not that it matters. Tryst is an omega-the fabled lone wolf. Even more damning is his mixed vampire heritage. Lexi knows that the vampire blood running through Tryst’s veins makes him off-limits, but what if he’s the one man who can rouse her inner wolf?

MOON KISSED
Escaping from bloodthirsty vampires, Belladonna Reynolds ran straight into the arms of a werewolf. As a man Severo drew her in with his dark good looks; as a beast he astounded her with his insatiable sensual appetite. Whether afraid or aroused, Bella fled to his lair when threatened by an evil monster of the night…. Severo tried to keep Bella–his mate–safe from the vampiress who held a malicious desire for revenge against him, but he alone wasn’t enough. Now Bella had taken the form of his most cursed enemy. How could he desire the very thing he’d spent his life destroying? And even if he did, what would the werewolf do to Bella on the next full moon?

REVIEW:
This book contains two stories. Reviewed separately.
FOREVER WEREWOLF
3 Stars… Honestly I am not sure how I felt about this story. While I wanted to know what happened and wanted to read to the end of the book I also wondered why I wanted to do that. The characters were written in such a juvenile way (especially in their speech) that I actually went back to check to see if this was YA, which it was not. The sex scenes later would give that away. The story was interesting and kept me interested but I was just never into the characters. Tryst seems like some kind of childish man who idolizes the idea of living in a pack and Lexie is very cold. But something does seem to click with them eventually. This is my first story from this author so I am not sure of her normal writing but something is just different about it.

MOON KISSED
3 ½ Stars… Based on the first book (see above) I was not sure about reading this story but it was much better than the first one I read. This story was more mature and the storyline was very good. I enjoyed the characters of both Bella and Severo even though I felt the writing did not keep to the character of Severo toward the end and changed him which was disappointing. Bella is a bit of a desperate woman to me but yet something about her is very intriguing. This is a good werewolf story that any fan of the genre would enjoy.

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

October 23, 2012October 22, 2012

Kelly’s review of A Jaguar’s Kiss by Katie Reus

TITLE: A Jaguar’s Kiss
AUTHOR: Katie Reus
PUBLICATION DATE: 10/01/12
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Owen Wright, alpha of his wolf pack, hasn’t seen jaguar shifter Gabriela Segura in nearly ten years. She was his first love—until he did something to drive her away just as their relationship was heating up. Now Gabriela has returned to Montana, and his craving for her is stronger than ever.

But a recent string of brutal attacks on humans have the wolves suspicious of the jaguars, threatening the tenuous peace between the packs. Before he can claim Gabriela as his mate, they must join forces to prove her family’s innocence and track down the true predator.

REVIEW:
Returning home after too many years away Gabriela finds herself being kidnapped by one of the the local wolf pack and he is blabbering on about jaguar attacks on the locals. All Gabriela wants to do is get home and find out if what the wolf is saying is true. To check in with her family to make sure they are all okay. The last thing and the last person she wants to see Owen Wright, the love of her life, the man who broke her heart just walked through the door.

This was a really good novella. I loved the mystery of who is behind the killings, although I would have loved to get a little more into the heads of the bad guys. But Gabriela and Owen are great together.

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.

October 10, 2012October 6, 2012

Kelly’s review of Lover’s Instinct by Katie Reus

TITLE: Lover’s Instinct – Moon Shifter #1.5
AUTHOR: Katie Reus
PUBLICATION DATE: 08/07/12
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Novella:
Lupine shifter Nikan Lawless has it bad for Esperanze Cordona, the sweet and curvy woman who only views him as a friend. But when Nikan is assigned to act as Esperanze’s bodyguard during a weekend education conference, he knows it’s the perfect opportunity to seduce her off her feet—away from the pack.

To put his plan into motion Nikan cancels one of their hotel rooms, giving them time to get to know one another in a whole different way. But when a man from Esperanze’s past shows up in need of help, Nikan must shield her from a group of dangerous rogue shifters, all while trying to prove that they’re destined to be mates.

REVIEW:
Lover’s Instinct was a great novella. But like any good novella it was too short. I really wanted more of Nikan & Esperanze.

Lover’s Instinct takes place between Alpha Instinct & Primal Possession, but can be read as a stand alone. Although I would highly recommend reading Alpha Instinct first.

In Lover’s Instinct we meet Esperanze who is the cousin of the female Alpha. After a string of murders leaves the pack reeling Esperanze decides she need a weekend away. Just a weekend away to regroup. While her Alpha’s are letting her go they are not letting her go alone. They are sending Nikan long to protect her. Nikan is new to the pack. He is one of the Warriors that showed up with the new Alpha. While Esperanze doesn’t mind Nikan at all she is not overly happy he is tagging along with her on her weekend away.

Little does Esperanze know that she is leaving one problem for another and having Nikan by her side will be a very helpful too.

I really can’t say much more than that, but I did really enjoy this novella.

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

October 5, 2012October 6, 2012

Kelly’s review of Life Cycle by Zoe Winters

TITLE: Life Cycle – Preternatural #4
AUTHOR: Zoe Winters
PUBLICATION DATE: 08/2012
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Immortality can be a bitch…

Tamara has lived nearly two thousand years, trapped by a spell of her own creation. Hunted by her enemy and former lover, she knows there is only one man strong enough to release her from the curse. But will Cain honor her death wish, or keep her for himself, whatever the cost?

Two ancient souls. Two weary fighters, torn between love and hate, forced to decide if the other could be worth living for.

Heat Level 3 of 5.
Some sexually explicit content and innuendo

REVIEW:
Life Cycle is book 4 in Zoe Winters Preternatural series and we FINALLY get Cain’s story.

Cain is our resident leader of the Demon realm and self proclaimed “I don’t need anyone” loaner of the group. It is a fact that Cain has not made many friends, heck even his own sister-in-law doesn’t like him. But when Cain is asked to help protect Tam from a serial killer her breaks his #1 rule. Never trust a magic user. But there is something about Tam, something that disturbs Cain.
Tam is tired of living, tired of her cycling. But when faced with a serial killer that wants her power, Tam takes matters into her own hands. She can die by a madman hands who wants to take over the world, or she can ask the leader of the Demon world to killer her.

This two are great. I love that Tam is always standing up to Cain. Cain is not use to people not doing his every wish. But Tam is not everyone. She is different and challenges Cain in every way possible. Tam makes Cain feel things that scare and interest him.

This has been my favorite story so far in the Preternatural series. But I am very excited to see what Zoe has in store for us 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.

October 4, 2012October 6, 2012

Kelly’s review of The Catalyst by Zoe Winters

TITLE: The Catalyst – Preternatural #3
AUTHOR: Zoe Winters
PUBLICATION DATE: 06/2012
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
It started with one lost, shivering pup; it may end in a war…

Panthers don’t do responsibility. They don’t do long-term relationships. They definitely don’t raise kids. But when Z discovers a young wolf in the forest, he takes him in, unaware of the powerful beings hunting the pup.

Fiona is a witch who can’t leave her house; the birds have told her something bad will happen. The mailbox is as far as she’ll go, but even that may provide more danger than she’s bargained for. When a wolf pup stumbles into her garden, her safe, wrapped-up world heads for a free fall.

But along with danger, the pup brings a chance at love—a chance an agoraphobic witch and a bachelor panther shifter aren’t likely to find on their own.

AUTHOR’S NOTE: The Catalyst is an ensemble book that also features Jane and Cole (from Blood Lust) and Cain (from Blood Lust and Save My Soul)

REVIEW:
Ahhh, I love the Preternatural world that Zoe has created. In The Catalyst, book 3 in the series introduces us to a whole new set of characters. While revisiting some of our favorites from the first two books.

In The Catalyst we meet Z & Fiona. Z is a werepanther, who loves his solitary bachelor lifestyle. Yet, Z finds a soft spot in his heart to help an abandoned werewolf pup. Only problem is that the darn pup has run away and now Z has to track him down and he is not very happy about it. When Z finally catches up with the pup he is with a witch. A witch that can speak to animals. so Z does what any good werepanther would do. He threatens the witch into helping him, then kidnaps her.
Fiona has not go past her mailbox in years. You see Fiona suffers from Agoraphobia or a panic disorder that has left her home bound. So she knows it is a bad idea to go to the mailbox today. But when she hears a whining in her side yard she does the un-normal thing and detours to see what the noise is. That is when Fiona finds the werepup. Doing the right thing Fiona takes the pup in the house and feeds him. Next thing she knows there is a very angry werepanther has broke into her house and has her cornered.

Z and Fiona are complete opposite in every way, yet they work so well together.

If you have read Zoe’s first two books in the Preternatural series you will love Z & Fiona’s story. The Catalyst creates a whole new set of problems for the Preternaturals in and around Cary Town.

I would suggest reading this series in order.

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.

October 3, 2012October 2, 2012

Jennifer’s review of Full Blooded by Amanda Carlson

TITLE: Full Blooded
AUTHOR: Amanda Carlson
PUBLICATION DATE: 9/11/12
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:

It’s not easy being a girl. It’s even harder when you’re the only girl in a family of werewolves. But it is next to impossible when your very existence spells out the doom of your race…Meet Jessica McClain…she just became part of the pack.

REVIEW:

Full Blooded has been on my radar for awhile now and I was thrilled to death when I received this in my mailbox. Jessica McClain is the only female born in a male-dominated pack in the last few hundred years and her existence has created suspicion and mistrust among the people that should be considered her family. Jessica is the daughter of the Alpha, Callum McClain, and shortly after her birth, a mysterious letter was received stating that a female born would lead to the destruction of the pack. Fast forward about twenty years and Jessica has grown into a beautiful independent woman with no signs of being a full-fledged wolf. That all changes one day when Jessica makes her first transformation into a wolf and everything that she once knew is turned upside down. Her pack doesn’t know what to make of her and she has supernatural beings hunting for her because her abilities as a wolf have never been seen before. She doesn’t know who to trust and her greatest enemy may become her only ally.

I have a little bit of a girl crush on Jessica because I loved just about everything about her. She was such a strong independent character that was so used to proving herself in this male-dominated world that she didn’t back down from anything. She was able to fight for her independence from the pack as well as fight any threat that came her way. I loved watching her character experience all these new changes in her life from being just the Alpha’s daughter to a werewolf that had powers that no other werewolf had ever seen before. The men in Jessica’s life were also very sexy and powerful and I envied her relationships with them. I would love to see more of James and the mysterious Colin Rourke who seems to have ulterior motives for suddenly appearing on the scene after Jessica has made her first transformation into a wolf.

This series has so much potential and I am looking forward to reading every word of it. I feel that Full Blooded is an explosive novel from start to finish that will knock the wind right out of you. Amanda Carlson has created a paranormal world that has changed all the rules about the werewolf legend and this can lead to endless possibilities. The saddest thing about all this was I didn’t want this book to end and I know I will have a hard time waiting until April to continue the hunt with Hot Blooded.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
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September 23, 2012September 21, 2012

Kelly’s review of Primal Possession by Katie Rues

TITLE: Primal Possession – Moon Shifters #2
AUTHOR: Katie Rues
PUBLICATION DATE: 9/4/12
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
To protect her, he will unleash the beast within…

As his pack’s second-in-command, lupine shifter Liam Armstrong gives orders and takes what he wants—until he meets red-headed, blue-eyed December McIntyre. Liam knows the human beauty is his intended mate the moment he sees her, but December is far too strong-willed to accept his protection.

December, whose brother is the town sheriff, has every reason to mistrust shifters after one killed her youngest sibling. But the forceful and handsome Liam has gotten under her skin in a way she hadn’t thought possible, and the desire she feels for him is almost too much to bear.

When a radical hate group targets all humans known to sympathize with paranormal beings, December is attacked in her bookstore. Reluctantly, she turns to the only one who can help her: Liam. And he is going to take her to places within herself she never knew existed

REVIEW:
Welcome back to the Moon Shifter world. I know that I was very happy to be back in it. If you have not read Alpha Instinct I would highly recommend you read it first. You could read Primal Possession, but so much happens in Alpha Instinct to set up for Primal Possession.

I loved Liam in Alpha Instinct, and was super excited to read his book. Liam is the second (well third, after his Alpha and his Alpha’s Mate) in command of the newly formed Armstrong-Cordona pack and he has finally found his mate. But that is where things get a little tricky, December is human and well she is not very fond of shifters. Liam is determined to win her over no matter what. But with two attempts on December’s life Liam has his hands full. Protecting her from his enemies and trying to win over her stubborn heart.

December is determined to not fall for Liam. But as with all best laid plans they don’t always work out just right. When December is attached after a failed date she know that only person that can protect her is Liam. But this means she has to be close to him and being close to him make her crazy, crazy about him and what she wants for the future.
Really loved this book. Loved seeing the softer side of Liam even if he tries to messed it all up. I am looking forward to what is next in the Moon Shifter series. I loved learning more about secondary characters Kat and her now ex Jayce. These two are going to be so much fun to read about.

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

August 26, 2012August 22, 2012

Kelly’s review of Fear The Darkness by Alexandra Ivy

Fear the Darkness

Guardians of Eternity #9
AUTHOR: Alexandra Ivy
PUBLICATION DATE: 08/28/12
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Her visions lead her to danger

Beautiful Cassandra is a Were, a prophet both vulnerable and defiant, blessed with visions that portend the fate of the world. A rare and delicate creature, Cassie must be protected at all costs. Enter Caine, a powerful cur turned pure blooded Were whose recent tangles with a demon lord have left him in serious need of redemption. Caine is duty-bound to keep Cassie out of danger—and that means resisting his potent urge to seduce her…

And only he can save her

As Cassie’s mysterious visions lead them in and out of danger, Caine believes he has found his true mate, the woman with whom he is bound for all eternity. Cassie is both charmed and frightened by Caine’s magnetism, and unsure if he–or her feelings for him–can be trusted. But Cassie can’t afford to doubt Cain now. A deadly enemy bent on destruction is closer than they realize—and only they can keep chaos from ruling the world.

Review:
Fear the Darkness was a fabulous book. Caine & Cassie’s story sucked me in so completely that I read this story so fast. If I didn’t need sleep to function I would have read in one sitting.

I have to admit that I have not read all the books in the Guardians of Eternity series. But that didn’t stop me from understanding what is happening in Fear the Darkness. While I would recommend reading the books in order, it is not a must.

While I don’t know much about Caine and Cassie’s histories. I love these characters in this book. I loved the struggle these two have to go through. I love all the drama that is surrounding them.

I am really looking forward to the next installment in this series and really need to do some backtracking and read the books I have missed. If you are a fan of Alexandra Ivy, Fear the Darkness will not disappoint you. We get a little of everything in this book, love, lust, trust, betrayal, dark and light, enemy and foe.

August 5, 2012August 3, 2012

Kimberly’s review of A Night Away by Carrie Ann Ryan

A Night Away
AUTHOR: Carrie Ann Ryan
PUBLICATION DATE: 04/30/12
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Kade Jamenson has been mated to Melanie for almost two years. They’ve been through mating circles, battles, loss, misunderstandings, and finally, the birth of their son, Finn. The world is in turmoil around them as the Redwoods engage in war with the Centrals. But for Kade and Melanie, the turmoil is also happening at home. The responsibility of a restless baby and their Pack has taken a toll and they need a break.Not from each other. But from their Pack. Just for a night.

Kade takes Mel away for a romantic getaway and leaves Uncle Maddox alone with baby Finn. The Omega of the Redwood Pack may be adept at emotions but the idea of a baby may be beyond his immense capabilities.

Author’s Note: This is a novella set between books 3 and 4 to give you a taste of Mel and Kade. It is best that you have already immersed yourselves in the Redwood Pack world, however even new readers will enjoy a glimpse of one of the Redwood’s favorite couples.

REVIEW:
This is a novella that takes place between book 3 and 4. It revisits the couple from the first book (An Alpha’s Path) Kade and Melanie. In the earlier books Kade and Melanie had a son, Finn, but now they are exhausted and want to reconnect as a couple.

If you have had a child you will connect with this book. The feeling that you need to do everything yourself and do not want to burden family to help. The feeling of needing time to sleep and reconnect with your significant other, yes with sex but also just with time and talking. While you can read this book on its own you will not get the full context of the story. The first three books are great and I would recommend picking them up before you read this story. But if you can not get all three books do not read this book at least until you read the first one to know the characters. You will not be disappointed in this series.

March 16, 2012

Guest blogger: Betty Midnight

Please welcome Betty Midnight to the blog:

Why are werewolves just so damn sexy?

I get offered this question every now and again and each time it’s given to me, I sort of freeze. There’s an obvious surge in the creatures who used to be more horror than objects of lust, people exploring some of their own personal fantasies and while we think about strong men or sexy cowboys, why not toss in a vampire or a werewolf here and there?

Sure, there have been books and movies that glorify them, turning them into these masses of men who can protect, love, and other things, but essentially, I think it comes down to the deep desire in us all to flirt with danger and death.

In my latest release, Hadyn Heat (Book One – The Urge), it explores the deepest urges of a man who is also a wolf. More so, the story begins with Hadyn not just exploring his urges, but also testing danger. He knows just how series it is to enjoy the company of a human woman, but he does it anyway. And the same could be said for the woman, Sarah, as when she’s faced with a giant wolf, she doesn’t panic… she lusts for the wolf. Something tells her to let her guard down and enjoy the risk of it all. Sure, Hadyn as a wolf could have torn Sarah to shreds, but Sarah was okay with that risk because the reward that came instead of death was the most pleasure filled experience of her life.

When women are saved by the strong and sexy cowboys, there are done usually with a shootout where the hero takes out the bad guy and rides off into the sunset. The same holds true for the darker creatures we long for. The werewolf can change into a wolf and defeat the bad guys and then turn back into man with a hint of sweat and blood and take the woman away.

We love this kind of writing, and style of writing. The action, the drama, and in the background, the passion and heat of it all swarming like a nest of angry bees. I wrote Hadyn Heat to test the boundaries of a man coping with becoming himself. A man who was a wolf. A man who enjoyed his urges – whether they be for man or woman. And finally, as the story progresses, a man who realizes what consequences are and instead of running from them, he dives into them, knowing that his life is on the line. It’s all symbolic to me, the meaning of life into a work of fiction… who we are, what we want, and the things we will do to become that person. I just prefer to toss in a tall, sexy wolf here and there… and be honest, you know you enjoy it.

Hadyn Heat

The Urge

links: Amazon | B&N | Smashword

As a man and as a wolf, Hadyn has been trying to control his urges.

After catching the scent of a beautiful woman named Sarah, Hadyn finds her and loses all control of his urges.

The pleasure was great, but the mistake was greater, for an evil man has been lurking for a long time, hoping to take control of the world. After kidnapping Sarah, the destructive man named Valon now can finalize his own plan: to have Hadyn mate with his daughter.

He uses Sarah and her lust for Hadyn to draw him in.

The urges grow worse for Hadyn and it seems nobody can stop him, not even his roommate and secret lover, another male wolf named Taylor.

The fate of Hadyn, Sarah, his pack, and the world are in the balance… but can he control his desperate sexual urges long enough to save it all?