Sunday, September 28, 2014

Mini-ARC Review: Rock Courtship

Rock Courtship (Rock Kiss #1.5)

by Nalini Singh 

Blurb:

What happens when the Gentleman of Rock decides to play dirty?
A drummer for the hottest rock band on the planet, David has a single, powerful weakness: Thea, the band's publicist and the woman who steals his breath away with her every move.
Only problem is, Thea doesn't date clients--or musicians. Emotionally scarred by a cheating ex, she's not about to risk her heart with a man who has groupies buzzing around him like flies. Even if his sexy smile ties her up in knots.
What she doesn't know is that David is a one-woman man...and he's madly in love with her. David's determined to prove he's worth the risk, and willing to court her, step by exquisite step. Thea's about to discover just how long and hard this handsome drummer can play.
Themes: contemporary, novella, rock stars
Rating: 4.5 stars
Heat Rating: 
Review:
Usually I’m not much of a fan of stories that overlap so much in the time scale of another book in the series, but in the case of Rock Courtship, it was great to find out the full story behind the little hints that we received of the evolving relationship between Thea and David from the first story, Rock Addiction.  Nalini Singh has provided us with a sensual novella, that I would classify as almost being full-length, but the greatness of it almost overshadows the first novel.  David and Thea’s story is one that will have you laughing your ass off a lot of the time, even while you can feel the heat bouncing off them, the sharp wit and sarcasm between Thea and David are what fuel their unusual bond. While it was a bit strange to see this different viewpoint of the same time period, book two is a wonderful follow-up and leaves you wanting for nothing. 
Thea is a kick-ass, strong woman, with an interesting past and a deep connection to family, but she never imagines she would fall for the man that has grabbed her heart.  David has wanted Thea from the beginning and had almost given up hope of ever having a chance to be with her, but thankfully her sister, Molly, gives him some helpful advice and encourages him to continue his pursuit.  While they get to know each other and explore the possibility of becoming lovers, it becomes obvious that both of them are feeling more than just lust for one another.  When they finally explore that passion and commit to having a future there is no denying that they are made for one another and as long as they remain open with each other and honest, nothing can tear them apart.  I loved watching them each fall from lust into deep love and finding a way for them to have future together. 
Being shorter than a full length novel, but longer than a true novella, I would say that Rock Courtship packed more into its shorter length than some authors are able to pack into a 1000 page story.  David has loved Thea for a long time and when he finally finds a way to bring her around to becoming his lover there is no way he will let anything prevent him from keeping her.  Thea has resisted David’s pull for so long she doesn’t really know how to give in to her full passion, but when she finally releases all her pent-up passion and makes David hers, she blows his mind.  Their courting rituals are a bit out there but perfect for them, blending their logical minds, passionate hearts, and craving souls all into one love story for the ages.  We learned a lot more about the other band members and I am really looking forward to finding out whose story will be next and just what type of woman each of them will be faced with.  Another great Singh series has begun and I hope it lasts just as long as the Psy-changeling series. 
*eARC provided by publisher (via netgalley) for the purpose of an honest and unbiased review.  No compensation was provided. 



Friday, September 26, 2014

ARC Review: Burning Desire (parts 3 & 4)

Burning Desire (Dark Kings #3)

by Donna Grant

Blurb:

The Dark Kings have fought for centuries to preserve their dragon magic. But can one warrior resist the greatest temptation of all?
A DESIRE THIS POWERFUL
In his quest to destroy the Dark Fae—his nemesis—the Dragon King known as Kiril goes to Ireland as a spy. When a gorgeous, mysterious woman tries to seduce him, Kiril instantly sees through her glamour to the Dark Fae beneath. Shara isn’t just any Dark; she’s from one of the most powerful bloodlines—and despite the dangers, Kiril can’t stay away from her. He’s enthralled by her smile, enslaved by the undeniable passion…
IS A WAR WORTH FIGHTING FOR
Shara has one chance to make things right with her family—and to prove her worth. It seemed like such an easy mission…until she actually meets Kiril. His charm, his sexual magnetism is too much for her to ignore. Shara knows that falling into Kiril’s arms can bring her nothing but trouble. Yet she discovers an inner strength she didn’t know she had…and an attraction that knows no bounds. But is her desire for Kiril worth the risk of eternal doom for them both?
Themes: paranormal, dragons, Fae
Rating: 4.5 stars
Heat Rating: 
Review:
Part 3 of Burning Desire takes off right away with Kiril and Shara’s enemies encroaching on their new relationship and pulling them into even greater intrigues.  As the drama heats up and both Kiril and Shara come to trust one another, we can see that the love between them, while tentative at this point, will be lasting and true once they both come to fully trust in that love.  I enjoyed seeing Shara come into her own, even though she takes a few wrong turns, bad decisions putting her and her lover into danger unintentionally.  When she approaches an even more dangerous enemy looking for an ally, there is really no denying that she is desperate to find a way to freedom that doesn’t put Kiril into danger, even though she doesn’t realize that is her motive.  Kiril, though, begins to see that not every situation is black and white, and really that the shades in between are what make a person unique and individual.
Shara’s fears lead her to make the bad decision of seeking help from her brother’s greatest enemy, the one man that scares her family and the alliance is definitely one to fall into the unholy category.  Shara almost immediately regrets her decision, but there is no way to go back on her unspoken promises, and soon she finds herself in an untenable position.  When an opening presents itself, Shara escapes the enemy and flies almost immediately to Kiril, seeking his help in getting herself free from both her family and the danger nipping at her heels.  Deciding to trust in her, Kiril begins to fall in love more and more as they work together to thwart the Dark that are plotting against the Kings and try to find a way to rescue Rhi.  But the attempt to save the Light Fae finds them both captured and their lives forfeit.
After being captured by the enemy, Kiril and Shara both have to face their greatest fears and though Kiril is a bit of an ass for a while, believing the lies told to him about Shara and believing that she betrayed him, in the end they were able to pull out a major win for the good people.  The Kings thankfully intervene and kick some major ass, while still managing to free both Kiril and Shara, but there are a few casualties of the battle, not the least being the trust between Shara and Kiril.  But Kiril is man—err dragon—enough to win back his mate and they find their happy ending.  Once they are away from the constant danger, Shara has to come to terms with the fact that the man she loves might never fully trust her, but an unexpected ally gives her the chance to change her fate and show him that she will change her very nature for him, for the deep love they could share, and the happy life that awaits them.  Happily, Rhi finds herself out of immediate danger, through some very shocking circumstances, but not necessarily in a safe place, however, dammit, we still are no closer to finding out who her lover was. 
The last part of this story focused greatly on the relationship between Kiril and Shara, but more it focused on the changes that each of them had to undergo individually to allow them to come together and be each other’s destined mate. The passion between them was there from the very second they locked eyes, but the love and trust were slow in coming and hit quite a few obstacles, a few that seemed insurmountable.  Kiril has to come to terms with the fact that not everyone is perfect, we all have our dark sides, and the choice to live in the light is what makes us into better individuals.  Shara had to come to accept the flaws within herself, and the greatness that others have classified as flaws her entire life.  Her compassion, empathy, independence, and ability to love are what make her such a wonderful character and deserving of all the chances she can have at happiness.  I was thrilled to see a few characters become much more active in this fight against the Dark and find myself more and more intrigued by the Light Fae and especially their queen.  Can’t wait for more Dragon Kings to find their mates and to see the Light continue to beat away the Dark. 
And for pity’s sakes, someone please convince Donna to tell us who Rhi’s lover was before I love my dang mind!!
*eARC provided by publisher (via netgalley) for the purpose of an honest and unbiased review.  No compensation was provided. 


Wednesday, September 24, 2014

Mini-Review: Whipped

Whipped

by Sabrina York 

Blurb:

A scalding attraction. An irresistible passion. A pity she’s the one woman he can never have…
Dane Coulter is mourning the loss of his best friend, fellow Special Ops buddy, Cody. Oh, Cody didn’t die. It’s worse. He’s getting married. Cody is, in Dane’s opinion, whipped.
Dane swears he will never suffer the same fate. But when he meets a woman who can take all his dominant loving and beg for more, he realizes he may have met his match. It’s a damn shame she’s the one woman in the world his man-code deems untouchable…his best friend’s sister.
Themes: erotica
Rating: 3 stars
Heat Rating: 
Review:
I have only read one other story by Sabrina York and I have found I really enjoyed them both, but she’s not an author I plan to continue to read.  While I liked her writing in as much as the scenes were well written and the dialogue was decent, I didn’t find myself clicking with the characters much and the overall plot was just too complex for such a short story.  The length of Whipped just did not do the story and the plot justice, but I could see that if they had more time the characters could have become wonderful and believably in love.   Dane was the type of guy I really enjoy learning more about—alpha, sexy, strong of character, and ultimately a reformed ladies’ man, once he meets the right woman.  Tina is a sweet girl, who’s always had a bit of a thing for her older brother’s buddy, but she’s also a grown woman with a penchant for kink and a wild streak that will drive Dane insane. 
I loved the entire premise of the story, and with time I think it could have developed into a great love story, but as it was, it was just a sexy fun read with an ending that was a big gap between the beginning of their relationship.  I would have loved to make the full journey with these two as they came together in a relationship built to last.  Dane and Tina had obvious chemistry every second and there was no denying that they were matched well, despite the differences in their ages and the limitations perceived in their relationship.  The story is well written with good dialogue, lots of heat, and some sweet scenes that show the chemistry between them is just the beginning for them.  Had it been maybe twice the actual length I could see this story being a 4-4.5 star read, but nevertheless it was a great way to fill an hour with passion, laughter, and love.
*eARC provided by publisher (via netgalley) for the purpose of an honest and unbiased review.  No compensation was provided. 


Monday, September 22, 2014

ARC Review: Chained by Night

Chained by Night (MoonBound Clan Vampire #2)

by Larissa Ione

Blurb:

THE FUTURE OF HIS TRIBE
Leader of the vampire clan MoonBound, Hunter will do what he must to save his people from extinction—or worse, a torturous eternity as vampire slaves and subjects of human experimentation.To keep his enemies at bay, he has agreed to mate a rival clan leader’s daughter in return for peace between the clans and an ally in the looming war with the humans.
THE LOVER OF HIS SOUL
But survival comes at a price. First, Hunter must break an ancient curse by successfully negotiating three deadly tests. Then he must resist the searing passions of the gorgeous vampire warrior he despises but is bound to mate. Will Hunter stay true to his word? Or will he risk everything for the woman he really loves: the vampire seductress’s identical twin sister?
Themes: paranormal, vampires, demons
Rating: 4.5 stars
Heat Rating: 
Review:
The amazing Larissa Ione strikes again with her return to the futuristic and intense world of the clan vampires and the humans that are plaguing them.  While I was surprised just how much I enjoyed this series when I first began it with book 1, but though the story is definitely dark and often scary, the characters, settings and emotional entanglements of the characters are what grab you and move you. My favorite series of Larissa’s continues to be her Demonica series, but the Moonbound Clan has captured my heart and mind as well and I am looking forward to future stories and learning more about the characters we have met in these two stories.  With so rich a setting, a world so similar to ours, but yet so different, this is a world full of bigotry that reminds us how easily the human nature can lapse into the hate we have so recently overcome. Readers cannot overlook the true greatness of this series, which is the characters and how wonderful they are.
The story follows the journey of Moonbound leader, Hunter, as he embarks on a new stage in his life—mating.  Sadly his mating is not one stemming from love, but instead from the duty of a bargain made to keep his clan members safe and his future mate is the epitome of the word “bitch”.  From the moment he agrees, Hunter knows his life will be miserable, though he never imagined it would come out quite this way. Hunter’s new mate arrives, in a hail of bullets, as humans attack and when he stages his rescue he has no idea that he has altered his destiny forever.  Aylin is immediately drawn to Hunter when he rescues her, but as they fall into their passion things quickly get out of control—especially since Hunter thinks she’s really her twin sister, who is actually his mate.  Forced with the ultimate decision of forfeiting her life for her sister’s Aylin joins hunter on his quest to keep his future children safe, but the passion between them grows into something more as they work together to overcome all obstacles.  In the end it comes down to a simple but terrifying choice for Hunter: give up the woman he loves or start a multi-clan war that could decimate the vampire population and leave his clan leaderless?
Aylin is a wonderful character, one with a compassionate heart, a loving nature, and totally born into the wrong clan and family. Born with a physical impairment that has left her an outcast in her own family, Aylin has only ever really loved one person and that is her sister and she is determined to protect her at all costs, even her own life.  The loyalty Aylin shows for her sister —definitely not deserved— is a shining part of her soul that is obviously overlooked by the warring and vicious clan she was born into.  Though I understand her love and loyalty to her sister, to me she didn’t extend her claws soon enough, I felt she should have kicked her sister’s sorry butt long before she finally stood up for herself.  It was obvious her feelings for Hunter developed quickly, and as she fell deeper and deeper I felt so sorry for her since Hunter stood on his duty and decision to give up their love.  Seeing her confidence bloom and her faith in herself grow as she overcame barrier after barrier was like seeing a butterfly emerge, full of life and finally assured of her place in the world and her chances of a future.  In the end I was so thrilled to see Aylin get her man and find herself in a clan that could actually appreciate and understand her.
Hunter, on the other hand, needed his ass kicked quite a bit; and I would have loved to see Aylin put him into his place from the beginning. He is obviously a great leader, one that is willing to sacrifice his own happiness to protect his clan and keep war from their borders. Making the deal with his enemies to bring a mate in from an enemy clan, Hunter knows there will be many challenges, but he never imagined it would make his life this complicated. His strength and leadership are his greatest assets as he deals with the other clan and the members of his own clan as well.  Sadly I felt that his adherence to the rules, and fear of shaking things up too much, left him floundering as he tried to overcome his desire for the woman he’s fallen for and adhere to his duty to his clan.   As he becomes more and more agitated and angry with his obviously difficult choice, Hunter finds his faith in the future and his decision to embrace happiness for himself and for Aylin becomes an easy one. I’m all for clan allegiance, but honestly if I found the love of my life I would NOT give them up for an empty promise made to an enemy and in the end thankfully neither did Hunter. 
Chained by Night is a story of love, overcoming impairments, finding true love, and accepting the love that sometimes comes at an inconvenient time, but is always necessary for life.  The danger that stalks hunter and Aylin as they slowly find victory in their battles heightens their emotions and the desire burning between them becomes truly irresistible.  Aylin is the type of woman that every woman wants to be, and every man wants for his own—at least the decent males, if not the ones from her birth clan.  When she blossoms from the shy, slightly terrified, and mostly lonely young woman she’s always been, into a seasoned warrior, with confidence in her own abilities and the passion she can find with another, Aylin becomes even more irresistible, a true gem in a world of darkness.  Hunter has his head up his butt a good bit of the story—let’s be honestbut shows us in the end he is a male worthy of a woman like Aylin and the future they could have.  He is definitely a male that deserves of all the happiness in the world which is why I don’t understand why he fought so hard to deny his love for Aylin.  Packed with danger, drama, intrigue, betrayal, and ultimately the overpowering victory of true love, Ione’s newest vampire tale takes us through a journey of love and redemption, one that will leave you breathless as the ending arrives and the world is forever changed for this clan, but  the changes will affect the entire world around them. Ione has done it again!
 *eARC provided by publisher (via netgalley) for the purpose of an honest and unbiased review.  No compensation was provided. 


Saturday, September 20, 2014

Review: The Arrow

The Arrow (Highland Guard #9)

by Monica McCarty 

Blurb:

As King Robert the Bruce of Scotland plots to retake his English occupied castles, he needs the stealth and skill of his elite soldiers, the Highland Guard. Fearless and indomitable, no men are more loyal to their king, or cherished by the women they love.
 The talents of legendary marksman Gregor “Arrow” MacGregor are crucial now, as Bruce moves to reclaim his Scottish holdings. Gregor is considered the most handsome man in Scotland, and his fame as an archer is rivaled only by his reputation with the lasses as a heartbreaker. But when his infamous face is exposed during a covert mission, Gregor is forced to lay low. He returns home only to find a new battle waiting: a daring game of seduction involving his now very grown up and very desirable ward, Cate of Lochmaben.
 A born fighter, Cate was clinging to life when Gregor rescued her after a vicious English raid on her village left her mother dead. But five years later, the once scrappy orphan Gregor took under his protection has become a woman. Brave, strong, and skilled in warfare, Cate is determined to lay claim to the warrior who refuses to be trapped. The heat in his eyes tells her she has his attention . . . and his desire. But will Gregor allow his heart to surrender before danger finds them, and the truth of Cate’s identity is revealed?
Themes: Historical, Highlanders
Rating: 5 stars
Heat Rating:  
Review:
Returning to the highlands for another adventure of the Highland Guard and Robert the Bruce, The Arrow takes us on a journey through young love, deceit, passion and ultimate forgiveness.  I was thrilled to have a chance to read Gregor and Cate’s story before publication and discovered it was one of my favorite stories in the series.  Though I have wondered often about the past that haunted Arrow and was curious about the “ward” who continuously caused him trouble, I never imagined the story would be so amazing.  Getting to see all the other Guard members and their relationships with their wives, and of course hearing about children born, along with learning more about Robert the Bruce and his amazing rise to power, was a major draw for reading this story. Monica has yet to ever disappointment when I read one of her stories, and I have read everything she’s published, but with each new Highland Guard novel I find myself more amazed by the richness, imagination, and the utter flexibility of her mind as she creates these characters and the stories of their lives.  I will be sad to see this series end, but I know when it happens there will be something even greater coming after to keep us all entertained and enthralled.
Gergor’s story begins with him getting word from his brother, the steward of his clan, that his ward, Cate, has gotten herself into trouble once again.  While he has been restless for some time, he isn’t willing to leave his king’s side, until Robert insists he take the trek home and deal with his issues so he can come back full prepared to kick butt. Reluctantly he returns home, only to find that the young hellion that has driven him mad for years has grown into a beautiful and desirable woman, one that flaunts and flirts in an attempt to bring him closer.  Cate has lived with Gregor’s clan for years, since he rescued her from a certain death, but she has always been in love with Gregor, waiting months for glimpses of him when he returns home.  When he returns this time she is determined to have him as her husband and goes out of her way to show him that she’s a woman that can be his equal.  But even as their passion ignites, Gregor fights the attraction and tries to deny that they are obviously meant to be together.  With enemies circling around Gregor, Cate is pulled into the drama, but she risks her life  to avenge her mother’s death since Gregor obviously regrets his decision to be her mate. When the truth of her past comes to light, can she and Gregor find forgiveness and the love they both always needed in each other’s arms? Or will they forever be kept apart by their circumstances and their own stubbornness?
Gregor has always let his own past and the animosity on his father affect his every decision, so when he starts to lose focus and is no longer a perfect warrior, it becomes apparent that he needs some time to gain back his focus.  Though it is obvious he is normally a man who plays the field—and really most men back then wereeven after marriage—when he arrives back home and finds himself faced with the very uncomfortable desire for Cate he does not handle it very well.  I loved that he tried so hard to be honorable, but really wish he’d opened his eyes earlier to the hurt he was causing Cate at every turn, because he is just not the type of man to hurt a woman intentionally.  I hated that he also couldn’t find it in his heart to trust Cate, letting his past with women color his chance at a future with her.  When he does finally come around, he moves heaven and earth to win back her love and trust, but if he had just seen the true love she had for him from the beginning, it would have been much less heartbreaking all around.   Regaining his focus and finding a way to accept that he will not always be a perfect warrior, but will always be a great one, gives him back the focus he needs to protect not only his king, but also the woman that has stolen him heart and soul.
Cate is a special type of woman, one standing alone in a category no one has even seen at this point in history—an independent, free-thinking, and battle ready warrioress.  The trauma of her mother’s death has driven her to find every way to protect herself in the future, determined that she will never again be helpless to protect herself or others she loves, and to find vengeance against her mother’s killer.  The only bright spot in her life has been Gregor and the deep love that has developed for him, even though she knows he doesn’t see her the way she wants.  She’s watched him through the years, giving himself to others, and never once seeing the love she has for him as anything but a silly crush of a little girl.   Now that Gregor is returning home, she is going to seize the chance to make him hers with all her passion and determination.  As he finally begins to return her desire, she sees a chance for them to have a life together, but quickly learns that sometimes the demons in a person’s past can destroy them faster than any weapon of man.  That heartbreaking truth leads Cate on a reckless mission, one that I understand fully, but one that places her life into deadly peril, especially once the truth of her parentage is revealed.  But honestly, who doesn’t love a woman that will not only forgive the discretions of others, but their betrayals as well, and can still rescue herself from a killer that has haunted her for a decade and in the process save a kingdom and avenge the murder of her mother?  I want to be Cate when I grow up please.
The great Highland Guards have once again captured our hearts and minds in a tale of passion, betrayal, love, and redemption, all while giving you a glimpse into a richly fascinating culture and time and the lives of the men and women that shaped a nation.  Gregor is a man that has always measured his worth in his abilities as a warrior, never understanding that his loyalty, kindness, and willingness to give his all are the qualities that really make him a good man and a better warrior.  But Cate sees those traits and the greatness of the man, thankfully and her love if the one thing that can force him to overcome his demons and embrace the love and friendship that surrounds him.  Cate on the other hand has always understood the power of love and the fine line between it and hate, her own past showing her that once a man loses her faith, there’s little chance of going back.  She is a skilled warrior, one that many would overlook simply because she is a woman, but she proves again and again that she is a force to be reckoned with and that the heart of a warrior is his—or her—greatest strength.  While I found myself laughing and crying equally, the greatest part of this story is the true love between Cate and Gregor and the understanding of the flaws each of them carried, an understanding that had to be earned through hardship and adversity.  I cannot wait to see where this amazing group of people goes next and learn more about this culture that I come from, but can never learn enough about.  Keep the hits coming Monica and I promise to keep spreading the word about your greatness!

*eARC provided by publisher (via netgalley) for the purpose of an honest and unbiased review.  No compensation was provided. 


Wednesday, September 17, 2014

Mini- Review: Dare to Submit

Dare to Submit (Dare to Love #4)

by Carly Phillips

Blurb:

Decklan Dare knows about the unexpected loss of loved ones and for this reason, he values control in all areas of his life. Amanda Collins enjoys the freedom she finds in casual encounters without the emotional connection a relationship brings. They meet and their physical attraction is mutual but both experience feelings that could run deeper – if they drop their guard and let each other in. Decklan is first to trust, but when he discovers the secret Amanda’s been hiding, will he forgive? Or will he rebuild every wall before she has a chance to explain?
Themes: contemporary, BDSM
Rating: 3.5 stars
Heat Rating: 
Review:
While I can honestly say I enjoyed this story while I was reading it, it didn’t seem to leave a very lasting impression on me.  As I write this review only a week after finishing the book, I find myself unable to remember many of the details that normally stick in my brain with a truly memorable story.   The passion was there, but the story itself didn’t stick with me and at least the characters were a bit more lasting than the story itself. The previous stories seemed to have more connection for me, Decklan and Amanda’s story while passionate at the time was not the great story I was hoping for.  This is the first time that I can say I have almost no memory of the details of the story though I can recall it being enjoyable at the time.
So that being said I can only give my general feelings about the book and the series in general.  This story, centered on the Dare cousins in NY, involves a bit more sensuality and passionate exploration that we are used to in Carly Phillips novels generally. Decklan is a very sensual man, one that has his little quirks, and it is obvious that when he meets the woman meant to snare his heart, he will do all in his ability to keep her and keep her happy.  Amanda was the one character I didn’t connect with and honestly cannot remember that much about her.  I know she went through an exploration of her sexuality with Decklan leading her and teaching her about the importance of being open, but can't remember much more about her. 
While I usually find a wonderful connection to Carly’s novels, this one sadly let me down, though I shall certainly reread it and see if the experience improves any.  I’m looking forward to the return to the original Dare siblings and the connection I have with them.  I am looking forward to further chances to learn more about the Dare family as they find love.  Hopefully future novels will provide the intensity and memorable story this one lacked for me and take me back to the love of all books by Carly Phillips.

*eARC provided by publisher (via netgalley) for the purpose of an honest and unbiased review.  No compensation was provided. 


Sunday, September 14, 2014

Review: Dark Skye

Dark Skye (Immortals After Dark #14)

by Kresley Cole 

Blurb:

ETERNAL OBSESSION
As a boy, Thronos, prince of Skye Hall, loved Lanthe, a mischievous Sorceri girl who made him question everything about his Vrekener clan. But when the two got caught in the middle of their families’ war, tragedy struck, leaving Thronos and Lanthe bitter enemies. Though centuries have passed, nothing can cool his seething need for the beautiful enchantress who scarred his body—and left an even deeper impression on his soul.
ENDLESS YEARNING
Lanthe, a once-formidable sorceress struggling to reclaim her gifts, searches for love and acceptance with all the wrong immortal suitors. But she’s never forgotten Thronos, the magnificent silver-eyed boy who protected her until she was ripped from the shelter of his arms. One harrowing night changed everything between them. Now he’s a notorious warlord with a blood vendetta against Lanthe, hunting her relentlessly.
CAN THE HEAT OF DESIRE BURN BRIGHTER THAN VENGEANCE?
With their families locked in conflict and battles raging all around them, will Thronos and Lanthe succumb to the brutal chaos that threatens everything they cherish? Or will the fragile bond they formed so long ago spark a passion strong enough to withstand even the darkest doubts?
Themes: paranormal, shifters, magick, mythology
Rating: 5 stars
Heat Rating: 
Review:
Wow I am once again completely surprised by the imagination, skill, and sheer balls of Kresley Cole in her writing.  She has taken us back into the twisted and often terrifying world of the Immortals and we never even see where the story might be heading next. The last book in the series was dark and certainly scary, but the story of Lanthe and Thronos is one that will have you laughing, weeping, and your heart pounding the entire time.  There is so much sadness in their past and present, but only as they come to learn the truth about each other and understand their true feelings for one another can they come to believe in their connection and find a way to live a long and happy life together.  While this world is certainly full of darkens and devastation, the love that is obvious between these couples when they finally come together and overcome all the obstacles put in their way is undeniable and perfect beyond words. 
The story begins with Thronos out for vengeance against the woman that has destroyed his life and made him into the monster he currently is, even if that woman happens to be his mate.  He has tracked her for centuries and never been as close to reaching his goal until now.  Though the connection and intense desire for her is always there, the hate and disgust they have both developed, through years of misinformation, false truths, and terrifying misunderstandings, leave Thronos fighting his own desire for his mate. Lanthe similarly has her own beliefs about their past that will never allow her to  embrace her one true mate, though the love they once shared is buried deeply in them both, the love still exists and it hasn’t been killed like they thought. When they finally uncover the truth of their pasts, the full truth, the passion between them and the love that lives still, give them the ultimate chance to have a relationship.  By being together there is every chance they will be able to bring peace into their world and they will be the bridge between two such disparate cultures. 
Thronos and Lanthe are both extremely volatile and often terrifying individuals with some serious hang-ups and false beliefs about their past. Thronos once found the love of his life, in a young girl who should have been his mortal enemy, and he risked it all to be with her.  But when their families get between them, changing their destiny for all time, there is very little of the children that fell into innocent love once upon a time. But even though he became a twisted and scary version of the man he should have grown into, Thronos remains in his own way a deeply sensual man, one that has remained true to the girl he once loved, and that faithfulness and inner beauty makes him an even better male than any other physical sexiness he should have had before his deformity. Lanthe is obviously her own brand of psycho, but the draw to her personality is unique and there is no denying the chance that once Lanthe mellows the world will be no challenge for the two of them against any other danger in the world. Individually I can say that Lanthe often scared me, but when the deep vulnerability she hides comes to the surface, I find myself liking her more, even while I’m amazed that she was so stubborn and careless with her powers as she interacted with Thronos in the past. 
I Loved, loved, loved this story.  One minute I was crying and my heart was breaking, and the next minute I was burning up with the desire between these two unlikely lovers.  While I have never had the imagination to personally pull off such a switch between love and hate, I admire the skill and flare that Kresley Cole has always shown.  It seems that in each new book, she is able to take two mortal enemies, enemies that should never work together, and make them into the ultimate lovers and the love between them is so deep and everlasting that there will never be any denying their destiny as mates.  Thronos is a truly damaged hero, one that has spent his entire life trying to overcome the flaws and fears in his past while maintaining his slippery control and fading sanity.  Lanthe has always regretted the decision she made as a frightened and angry young girl, but that regret has never stopped her from running and she knows in her heart that Thronos will kill her if he ever catches her.  Only when they discover the truth and find a way to overcome their past transgressions can they get beyond their hate to the love that has always fueled their battles deep down.  As the ultimate battle heats up, there is no denying that the hotbed of danger has become deadly for all and with Nix driving the powers that be, there is no way that the war will be won by the dark this time.  But the biggest question is who will find their mate next… and when will Nix get hers!!
*eARC provided by publisher (via netgalley) for the purpose of an honest and unbiased review.  No compensation was provided. 


Friday, September 12, 2014

Mini-review: Under His Protection

Under His Protection (Red Stone Security #9)

by Katie Reus


Blurb:

Julieta’s stalker doesn’t play by the rules
Lingerie shop owner Julieta Mederos has worked hard to get her business off the ground. Now she’s looking forward to some quality time with her friends and her big, boisterous family. But explicit texts from random phone numbers and vandalism at her shop makes it clear someone dangerous has fixated on her. Without any solid leads, the police can’t help her and she’s forced to turn to the last man she wants to depend on.
…but neither does Ivan.
Former Army Ranger and newest Red Stone Security employee Ivan Mitchell has gotten used to being alone in the world. He never even thinks about it anymore—until he meets sexy, independent Julieta. She’s everything he could ever want…but she seems determined to keep him at arm’s length. Until now. Maybe the cops can’t do anything to protect her, but he can. When things escalate faster than even he expected, he finds himself pulling out his most extreme combat skills to protect her. He’ll do what it takes to save her life—and prove to her she belongs in his.
Themes: contemporary, suspense
Rating: 3.75 stars
Heat Rating: 
Review:
This series continues to be one of my favorites.  Full of heat and suspense there are always little plot twists and fun changes to the lives of these couples as they find love with one another.  The couples are different and all individually sensual and passionate, but blend beautifully into one awesome series.  I have not read any one story in this series that I disliked, and this one is definitely no exception.  The connection between Julieta and Ivan was instantaneous, even though Ivan fought it for a while and Julieta didn’t see the desire in Ivan’s eyes.  When danger threatens Julieta nothing will prevent Ivan from protecting her with his life, and being that close to her there is no longer any hiding the passion that he has for her.  Julieta was funny and sweet but obviously she didn’t understand just how desirous she was to Ivan. 
When the two of them are in the same room, the sparks that fly are intense and frequent, and by the time they both finally give into the desire raging through them, the fire between them threatens to burn them both to ashes.  The danger lurking in Julieta’s life is well written and thoroughly suspenseful, leaving me hanging right until the truth is fully uncovered.  Ivan was sexy as hell with an inner strength that makes him so alpha that just the sound of his voice can make a woman spontaneously orgasm. Julieta has the adventurous spirit and fun lifestyle that draws men and women alike, and I thoroughly wish I could be just like that.  As their love develops and their relationship becomes one that is unbreakable, we get a chance to see two people with very different issues find a way to be together in happiness.  I cannot wait for the next book in the series, and honestly anything else that might come down from this author in any series. 
*eARC provided by publisher (via netgalley) for the purpose of an honest and unbiased review.  No compensation was provided. 


Tuesday, September 9, 2014

ARC Review: Burning Desire (Part 1 &2)

Burning Desire (Dark Kings #3)

by Donna Grant

Blurb:

The Dark Kings have fought for centuries to preserve their dragon magic. But can one warrior resist the greatest temptation of all?
A DESIRE THIS POWERFUL
In his quest to destroy the Dark Fae—his nemesis—the Dragon King known as Kiril goes to Ireland as a spy. When a gorgeous, mysterious woman tries to seduce him, Kiril instantly sees through her glamour to the Dark Fae beneath. Shara isn’t just any Dark; she’s from one of the most powerful bloodlines—and despite the dangers, Kiril can’t stay away from her. He’s enthralled by her smile, enslaved by the undeniable passion…
IS A WAR WORTH FIGHTING FOR
Shara has one chance to make things right with her family—and to prove her worth. It seemed like such an easy mission…until she actually meets Kiril. His charm, his sexual magnetism is too much for her to ignore. Shara knows that falling into Kiril’s arms can bring her nothing but trouble. Yet she discovers an inner strength she didn’t know she had…and an attraction that knows no bounds. But is her desire for Kiril worth the risk of eternal doom for them both?
Themes: paranormal, dragons, Fae
Rating: 4 stars
Heat Rating: 
Review:
Part 1 & 2:
While I can say for sure I will never be a fan of these types of serials when it comes to most books, Donna manages to break them up at just the right place to keep you interested without frustrating you or leaving you hanging on waiting for the cliffhanger or anything dramatic like that. So all that being said, I have once again ventured into the world of serials for Donna Grant to experience the greatness of the Dragon Kings.  The newest addition is the story of Kiril’s foray into the Dark side as he tried to discover more about the Kings’ new enemies and save an old friend as well.  Kiril has been in Ireland, earth-base for the Dark Fae, for a good while now, but has made little to no progress with finding any news. The Dark have stepped up their game and they are actively trying to capture Kiril and finally keep a captive Dragon King.  But their new lure is reluctant and one that is irresistible to Kiril but still won’t pull him into the trap.  Shara is a Dark, sort of, and she has been a mission that will redeem her in the eye of her family and her people. If only she can get over her feelings for Kiril and accomplish it.
The relationship between Kiril and Shara is intense from the beginning and develops rather quickly.  By the end of part 1 they have become lovers and both are beginning to develop feelings that go way beyond lust for the enemy.  Kiril knows he should resist the draw of Shara, knows that she is a trap sent to draw him into his enemies clutches, but he just doesn’t care.  Seeing him dealing with his desires as he tries to understand why Shara seems different is like watching puppy with a new unexplainable toy.  Shara on the other hand is determined to fulfill her mission and get over the disgrace of her strange compassionate nature.  She has always been a bit different from the others of her kind, but she is determined to not have her life taken over by her family or any other Dark Fae.  But can they trust one another enough to overcome their differences and have a shot at helping one another. 
While part 2 ends rather abruptly shortly after Kiril and Shara explore their passion, the story is developing nicely.  We’ve gotten glimpses of Rhi and have hope still that she can be saved.  The relationship between Kiril and Shara has developed, though strangely in a few ways, we are seeing that they are definitely feeling something deep for one another and just might have a chance to become more to one another.  The trust is not there yet, because of course it takes a long time to go from being enemies to love, but I see it happening easily.  The Kings and a few Warriors have crossed the pages as well and we even get to see more about Ulrik and his plans, though I still cannot decide if he’s a good guy or not.  I will say that I am becoming extremely frustrated and dying to know just which King was once Rhi’s lover, but I imagine this will be stretched to the end of the series, dammit!   I am looking forward to reading the rest of the story and seeing how Donna takes these two totally opposite in every way characters and allows them to find their happiness and join the other Kings in the war. 
*eARC provided by publisher (via netgalley) for the purpose of an honest and unbiased review.  No compensation was provided. 


Friday, September 5, 2014

ARC Review: Rock Addiction

Rock Addiction (Rock Kiss #1)

by Nalini Singh

Blurb:

A bad boy wrapped in a sexy, muscled, grown-up package might be worth a little risk…
Molly Webster has always followed the rules. After an ugly scandal tore apart her childhood and made her the focus of the media’s harsh spotlight, she vowed to live an ordinary life. No fame. No impropriety. No pain. Then she meets Zachary Fox, a tattooed bad boy rocker with a voice like whiskey and sin, and a touch that could become an addiction.
A one-night stand with the hottest rock star on the planet, that’s all it was meant to be…
Fox promises scorching heat and dangerous pleasure, coaxing Molly to extend their one-night stand into a one-month fling. After that, he’ll be gone forever, his life never again intersecting with her own. Sex and sin and sensual indulgence, all with an expiration date. No ties, no regrets. Too late, Molly realizes it isn’t only her body that’s become addicted to Fox, but her heart…
Themes: contemporary, rock stars, light bondage
Rating: 4.5 stars
Heat Rating: 
Review:
Holy shit I never expected that!  I have read all of the psy-changeling series books, by Nalini Singh, and when I heard she was taking a foray into the world of the contemporary romance novel I was skeptical to say the least, but wow was I proven wrong.  There was so much heat in this story that I could have started a fire had I found myself setting the book down in dry grass.  A powder-keg of passion, turmoil, insecurities and personal demons, this story of a rock star and the ordinary woman who steals his heart is nothing short of genius.   Singh takes us into the mostly unexplored world of New Zealand, her home country I understand, but one that I have never had as a setting for a story I've read, though a few scenes cross over into Australia.  This setting—which I have encountered very seldom—gives a vivid and detailed new world for the reader to explore while keeping the core of her greatness at the core.  Singh’s ability to take to people from differing viewpoints and walks of life (and species in her para-romances) and show them that they are really all the same inside and allowing them to fall in  love is a skill that should never be neglected.  I am beyond thrilled to have had the chance to read these and as the band undergoes changes and we learn more about these sexy rock stars, I cannot even begin to guess the drama and excitement in store for readers. 
This story begins with the most basic of all tales:  boy wants girl, boy propositions girl, girl can’t resist and gives into a night of unbridled passion with a man she knows can never be permanent.  But oh how things devolve from there, in only the best of ways.  Fox sees Molly at a crowded party, and though she immediately intrigues him, he knows that he has to tread carefully with a woman like her, because he is determined that their relationship last much longer than the single night she is looking for.  When he gets her into his arms he shows her the true depths of her passion and they quickly become addicted to one another.  Molly’s past has made her more than wary of the spotlight, closer to terrified of it truthfully, but she finds she can’t resist Fox and the chance to explore the heat between them.  Soon both of them start having deeper feelings, but with those feelings come the insecurities, fears, and issues with trust that are amplified by their individual pasts and their hopes for the future.  Two people from different social stratospheres, two different continents, and two different lifestyles, brought together in lust and eventually something more, what could make for a greater story?
Molly, oh Molly, what a sad tale her life is.  Her childhood and the tragedy that shaped her formative years, has left her with issues that are too numerous to name, not the least of which is her intense anxiety of public attention on her life.  She has admired Fox from afar, much like every other woman in the world, for a while and when she is faced with the chance to have one night with him, there is really no way she can deny him.  But her one night of sexual hedonism quickly becomes a relationship that she can’t fight and she is willing to give just about anything to keep. While I felt sorry for Molly a good bit of the time, I reveled in the way she gradually came into her own, finding her footing with the rock star that has pushed his way into her life, without giving up any of her spunk, sweetness, or down-to-earth nature.  While I wish she had been able to get over her fears earlier, it was obvious that the growth was happening and sooner than later she would come to accept the changes to her life.  I also loved how she seemed to always know what Fox needed, even when he didn’t, and was determined to give it to him, even if he fought her and railed at her.  She is simply the perfect complement to his personality, his other half, his soul mate.
Fox certainly lives up to his name; he is the gorgeous front-man to a rock band that has stormed the world and has lived the lifestyle that comes with that fame for a long time.  However, now it has lost some of the gloss for him and he realizes it’s time that he has a mature relationship for once, though the lust he feels for Molly on sight is nothing short of a teenage fantasy.  He certainly has his own hang-ups and fears that he brings to the relationship, but by focusing on Molly’s needs he finds his own issues are not enough to keep him from claiming her as his own.  I loved seeing him force molly out of her comfort zone and being there for her every step of the way, with only a few exceptions.  By forcing her to express her fears and overcome them, he shows his own steel core of character and makes himself into the perfect hero.  My biggest worry as the story progressed was his temper and tendency to brood, but like I said earlier, Molly is able to give him what he needs, even in round-about ways, and they overcome those flaws together.  There is definitely an undercurrent of fear in their relationship for a long time, from both sides, but Fox is obviously willing to do just about anything to make Molly his and keep her happy and it shows in everything he does. 
In the end I found myself salivating for the next story in this series, which it turns out is actually a novella that takes places in the same time period as this story—Rock Courtship.  Fox and Molly were obviously not characters you could imagine making a life together, but Singh is able to bring them together in an explosive combination of drama, passion, overcoming fears and finding love.  Fox is the quintessential bad boy with a heart of gold, a rock star with a desire for a deeper connection to his woman and the desire to find his true mate.  Molly is damaged goods for sure, but her inner strength far outshines the tragedies that have shaped her past and she is able to overcome all her fears, with the love of a good man.  Together Fox and Molly are able to carve out a happy life for themselves, even living in the spotlight, and their love is one that will last a lifetime and personally I cannot wait to see when they start having kids, *wink, wink*. There were definitely a few sad moments in the band’s lives during this story and I am hoping things get better for a few of the band members soon. Singh has won me over again and I will never again doubt her greatness when she starts a new project.  And just as a bit of a hint the novella that follows, revolving around Molly’s sister and Fox’s band mate happens at the same time as this story, so try to pick out the hints of their romance as you read Fox and Molly’s life-changing love in Rock Addiction.
*eARC provided by publisher (via netgalley) for the purpose of an honest and unbiased review.  No compensation was provided. 



Tuesday, September 2, 2014

ARC Review: Taste of Darkness

Taste of Darkness (Darkness #2)

by Katie Reus

Blurb:

He spent more than a thousand years imprisoned in hell…
Drake is an ancient dragon shifter, one of the most powerful beings in existence, but a millennium trapped in utter darkness has left him ill-equipped for modern society. If it wasn’t for Victoria, the sweet female brave enough to befriend him, he’d be lost. She’s smart and gorgeous and everything he never dared dream of during his years of agonizing loneliness. He may not have anything to offer her, but one thing he knows for sure: he’d die to keep her safe.
Only to fall into the heaven of her touch.
Victoria is a wolf shifter, healer of the Stavros pack. She’s seen a lot, but she’s never met anybody quite like Drake, the fiery, fascinating shifter who can blaze through the skies unseen by mere mortals. He’s lost, dangerous, and the last male she should fall in love with, but the more time she spends helping him navigate modern life, the deeper—and hotter—their connection becomes. She’s thrilled when they finally locate his family, but reuniting with his people plunges them both into unimaginable danger. It’s a race against the clock trying to figure out who wants them dead and who they can trust, especially when the threat is closer than they ever imagined.
Themes: paranormal, shifters, dragons
Rating: 3.75 stars
Heat Rating: 
Review:
Well that was a different take on the world of the noble and dangerous dragon shifter… guess even they can have the human faults of jealousy and self-entitlement. I have read all kinds of stories about dragon shifters, where they are villains, heroes, killers, and protectors, but this story is one that takes a unique spin on the myth and I just loved seeing how human these dragons really were.  While I continually try to categorize paranormals romance into being either a shifter, vampire, or magick user subgenre, Katie continues to challenge me, intermingling all the different types of magic and having worlds colliding in a beautifully well constructed way again and again.  I must say that while I liked book one in the series a lot, this story really grabbed my attention in a way a lot of books haven’t been able to do lately.  With a full host of emotional baggage, sexy men, great dialogue and the emotional connection that can only be found with your mate, Taste of Darkness is more a taste of greatness in my opinion.
Drake is finally accepting that he really has escaped from Hell and is determined to make himself worthy of the woman he knows is his mate, Victoria, the sexy as hell she-wolf healer that has captured him heart and soul.  Victoria thankfully is just as hooked by him, seeing that they could have a great relationship if only he would trust in them.  But when his past intrudes in their somewhat shaky courtship, Victoria is determined to give Drake the options he has been lacking in hell, the chance to reunite with his family, even if it means she loses him.  Drake has other plans for them, not really caring about this family who left him to rot in hell, though proving that to Victoria is difficult to say the least.  Is it possible for Drake to embrace his past and still have a chance for a future with Victoria or will he have to give up his mate for the vengeance his soul screams for?
I have been dying for a few months now to find out more about Drake, ever since he crawled out of the Hell Gate and immediately began protecting the wolf pack and others in book one.  I could tell immediately I would like his character because honestly how many others—man, woman, demon, witch, shifter, or other—would be able to survive fifteen hundred years in hell and come out swinging to protect others instead of lashing out and becoming evil? Drake is sexy as hell and very intense in his emotions, when he is with Victoria especially, but being around his mate we get to see the softer sweeter side of the dragon.   When he is faced with his family he lashes out at first, his pain leading him to reject their advances, but once he thinks things through better he knows he can’t ignore them completely, not if he wants to uncover the truth about his imprisonment.  Only when the truth comes out, the villain is someone that even I didn’t see coming, a particular skill of Katie’s and it rips through this dragon family, and Drake, like a tornado through a corn field. Drake’s inner strength and the love of his mate is only way he can maintain his sanity and defeat all foes, so he and Victoria have a chance at a long happy mating.
Victoria is a the kind of she-wolf that always seems to capture my attention and make me wish I could turn into a wolf myself; her skills as a healer make her a prized and coddled member of the pack, but in recent months she has started to chafe a bit at all the smothering, specifically ever since Drake appeared and she understood he was to play a major role in her future.  Falling in love with Drake is easily done, but keeping her heart from breaking as she tries to help him heal and recover from his centuries in hell is another story.  Victoria’s strong will and determination to give Drake the greatest chance at recovery shows the true depth of her feelings for him and reminds readers that while males are supposedly the stronger of the species, we women know that the emotional strength we provide is what really keeps the world functioning.
All in all this was a really great sequel to the original story in the series.  Continuing to introduce us to all new characters, Reus brings all different types of paranormals together to form strong and amazing mate bonds between completely unexpected matches. Victoria has a inner strength and deep beauty is the type of woman that every man wants for himself and every woman aspires to be. Drake is an uber-sexy and dangerous male that is in many ways as new to the world and vulnerable as a youth, but in others is as world weary and educated as the oldest veterans of war. Together they blend in a beautiful and heartwarming couple, determined to overcome all odds and find a way to be together. As they battle to find the truth of Drake’s past the darkness they uncover is more and more heartbreaking to see Drake discover.  I am thrilled and excited to learn where this series will take us next and cannot wait to find out who finds a connection in the future.  Dragons, wolves, and witches Oh My!
*eARC provided by publisher (via netgalley) for the purpose of an honest and unbiased review.  No compensation was provided.