Wednesday, September 30, 2015

Mini-Review: Dragon on Top


Dragon on Top (Dragon Kin 0.4)

by G.A. Aiken 


Blurb:



Try a little dragon tenderness.
I am Glheanna the Decimator. I am a warrior. A soldier. I know no fear. No pain. No mercy. I do, however, know acute embarrassment! How could I not after getting dumped by a bastard dragon in front of my own troops? So I tuck tail and return to my cave, drowning my sorrows in ale—as is my family’s way. But instead of leaving me to my misery, I’ve been summoned to the Dragon Queen’s court.

As if my life wasn’t pathetic enough, Her Majesty now has me escorting the highborn Bram the Merciful through dangerous territories—not exactly the best use of my military training. And just so he can negotiate with enemy dragons instead of battling them? Honestly, what has my world come to? Then again…Bram is quite easy on the eyes. And the perfect distraction for what ails me. Perhaps I’m looking at all this the wrong way. Maybe there is a place for a little “mercy” in my life…


Themes: Dragons, alternate realities
Rating: 4 stars
Heat Rating:

Review:

Unbeknownst to me, I had previously already read this story in the Supernatural anthology, but as always with Aiken, this story was enjoyable.  Full of sarcasm, strangely compelling characters and the dragon humor I’ve come to expect from this series, Bram and Glheanna were an odd couple but they were awesome all the same.  Bram was a sweet, loving, and oblivious kind of guy, but when he wins the affections of his dragon lady he is determined to overlook all the weirdness and danger that comes with mating her (not to mention becoming a member of her family) so that he can have his love.  Glheanna coming from a rather bloodthirsty family and having a father with a rather sketchy past, has come to believe that no man will want her for just herself or can ever really understand her.  When she is given her task to keep Bram safe on his diplomatic journey she never imagined it would be him saving her life and stealing her heart once and for all.  I loved seeing these two fall in love in their own unique way.  It was always hilarious to see how they dealt with each other’s eccentricities.   Bram’s obsession for Glheanna has been obvious to everyone around him a long time, but he never imagines he’d actually get a chance to win her.  Glheanna on the other hand has been chasing after the wrong type of guy from the beginning.  This early story in the Dragon Kin world is one that should not be missed, and though I still firmly wish I had read these in chronological order, sometimes one cannot force a writer to tell their stories that way.  So take a trip back in time if you are a loyal fan and if this is your first foray into Aiken’s unique world enjoy the journey and be prepared for the oddity and sarcasm that marks these arrogant and hilarious dragons and the humans that come into their lives. 

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

Wednesday, September 16, 2015

Review: Primal Force

Primal Force (K-9 Rescue #3)

by D.D. Ayres

Blurb:


Passion is always worth fighting for…

Jori Garrison trains dogs for Warrior Wolf Pack, which provides service animals for disabled veterans. Four years ago, she was wrongly convicted of a crime—thanks to her no-good ex-fiancĂ©. Now she just wants to live her life in peace with her beloved dogs. No men, no complications. But it’s hard to play it cool when a lethally hot male is on her tail—and the attraction is fierce, mutual, and dangerous…

Lauray "Law" Batisse is a Military Police veteran who was wounded in Afghanistan. Haunted by the loss of his K-9 partner in combat, he’s reluctant to accept a service dog named Samantha into his life. But once he meets her trainer—the gorgeous Jori Garrison—he can’t fight his primal instincts. And neither can Jori. This sexy alpha male might be the only man strong enough to unleash her desires. And when unseen enemies start hunting them down, he and his new K-9 partner might be her only hope… to survive.

Themes:  K-9 Cops, contemporary
Rating: 4.5 stars
Heat Rating:
Review:

 Ok I have to say, I did not like this story in the beginning.  I have enjoyed the previous stories in this series, but the characters and the storyline took a darker and slightly uncomfortable turn with this installment.  The character backstories were a lot more complicated and there were some real tragedies in their pasts, but it was the way that Law let that past affect him so greatly that made me really dislike him in the beginning.  If you enjoy reading suspenseful authors such as Pamela Clare or stories with hints of humor from the animals that share these couples’ lives like Jill Shalvis novels, you will probably enjoy this series.  Having read the entire story now I will say that it ended well and the writing was done considerably well, but I still didn’t care all that much for Law until he pulled himself together, but that is the beauty of these types of “heroes”—they don’t always begin as the most likeable characters but in the end you find yourself invested in their lives and rooting for them to get the girl. Those this is part of a series, each of these stories truly are stand-alone novels with only a loose thread in them, though this one hits closer to home for those that have enjoyed the entire series. 

Jori and Law have been thrown together at a time in their lives where neither are very trusting of the opposite sex, or really humanity in general.  Jori has just been paroled after serving years in prison for a crime she never committed and Law is recovering from a tragedy during service that has left him feeling incomplete and enraged.  Jori is doing her best to try to understand this man that has attracted her from the very beginning, but though they have the physical chemistry needed in a relationship, she cannot break through his walls to find the man she knows has been buried under the trauma of his past.  When Jori becomes the center of an investigation, Law decides that keeping her close and helping her clear her name is a good way to be able to have a relationship with her, but he has no intentions of opening up to her—and certainly doesn’t plan to fall in love with her impulsive and loving nature.  In the end their difference far outnumber their similarities, but love really can conquer all, and with the help of Law’s new k-9 partner, Sam, they just might find a way to save their own lives and be together. 

Law was an asshole in the beginning of this story, let’s be honest.  He was rude and combative to everyone, including his sister Yardley and especially to Jori.  Perfectly willing to bed her and disappear, Law never intended for Jori to become part of his life, but when she kept ending up in his space he began to see that being with her makes him a better man and just maybe he should shape up so he can keep her.  He really transformed as he came to terms with his past and his feelings for Jori, and Sam to an extent, proving that the love of a good woman and dog are all a man really needs in life.  Jori similarly finds her ability to trust again and the love of her family when Law forces her to confront her past and find out the truth.  I like Jori a lot, even though she had a few hang-ups of her own, and was glad that she finally found a man that could keep her safe and that she would complete.  She was the kind of woman that shines from the inside once she finds her strength and courage. Seeing Law and Jori interacting at different points in the story we see how they grow individually as well as a couple and ultimately as a family. 

Primal Force was one of those stories that I really had to stick with to get to the parts I enjoyed.  The beginning was a bit too choppy for my liking, but once the plot became clearer and we got to see Law and Jori together the story improved greatly for me.  Law was one of those guys that have to grow on you, like a fungus, before you can appreciate how good a guy he really is.   The traumas of his past shaped him and left him feeling like he could never return to his top grade, but accepting that sometimes the new version is better than the last Law finds a way to accept the changes in his life and embrace his new destiny.  Jori has finally found her independence and she is determined that nothing will ever tear her down and leave her trapped again, especially not a man.  Jori strangely is the more likeable of the two even though she is more closed off emotionally, but seeing them come together and find a way to be their best selves together is what makes their relationship so realistic and great to be a part of.  Not to be forgotten, one of the most interesting and important characters in this story is Samantha, aka Sam, the service dog that brought Jori and Law into one another’s lives.  Her POV is addressed a few times and we get to see her be the hero as well as the healer in this story, making you want to go out and hug your own furry loved ones.  Not the best story in this series, but a solid addition to the shelf and one that gives us a tighter thread to the other stories through Yardley, Law’s sister and the trainer we’ve met in previous stories, and I’m wondering when/if she’ll be getting her own story.  Looking forward to whatever comes next and meeting the k-9 hero in their story.


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

Wednesday, September 9, 2015

Review: On the Hunt (anthology)


On the Hunt (The Sentinels #2.5)

 

Blurb:


 Four of today’s most intriguing paranormal authors entice readers deep into the shadows, where vampires, immortals, and other supernatural creatures heat up the night...

On The Hunt by Alexandra Ivy
Mika Tanner has loved Bailey Morrell, a beautiful Healer, since childhood. But his duty as a Sentinel, a supernatural guardian of an ancient race, clashed with her rebellious spirit. Now a dangerous new anarchist group not only threatens life as they know it—but any chance of their being together again...

Scorpius Rising by Rebecca Zanetti
With a deadly disease spreading like wildfire across the country, microbiologist Nora Medina needs to focus all her energy on stopping the pandemic. Playing with dynamite—in the form of her way-too-hot ex—is the last thing she should be doing. ​But forced to work with Deacan McDougall against unexpected enemies with the seconds ticking by, she knows the explosion is coming...

Phantom Embrace by Dianne Duvall
Immortal Yuri Sokolov was born with the ability to see spirits, yet he's never seen one as lovely as Cat Seddon, the woman who haunts his home and his dreams. But amid their star-crossed love, a new danger may have Yuri facing a different kind of eternity.

Stake Out by Hannah Jayne
Vampire fashion designer Nina LaShay has a lot on her plate—just two days until fashion week and the model who was flirting with her photographer boyfriend is now a corpse in her studio. But when dead turns into undead and dangerous, Nina must find out who’s responsible…before the beautiful baby vamp takes too many bites out of the Big Apple.

Themes:  paranormal, anthology
Rating: 4 stars (overall)
Heat Rating:
Review:

On The Hunt by Alexandra Ivy
Rating: 4 stars
Heat Rating:

Well the amazing and talented Alexandra Ivy strikes again with her heartfelt love story and sensual reunion of two characters that have been separated by their own insecurities for far too long.  I have enjoyed learning about the world Ivy has created with the Sentinels series and meeting each new and exciting couple.  Mika and Bailey’s story was intense and touched on a lot of subjects, not the least of which was that sometimes you just have to trust in your heart even though your head tells you something different.  Bailey was an intriguing mix of vulnerability and strength, believing wholeheartedly in her mission to protect and heal all who need her gift, but at the same time not understanding how special she is to Mika, even though she drives him crazy.  Mika was the perfect alpha hero, one that can kick ass and get shit done, but at the same time woo and romance his woman.  I loved seeing these two find their way back to each other and find a way to handle their differences and goals.  I cannot wait for the next book in the series and if it’s not Wolfe’s book I demand that happen soon. ;)


Scorpius Rising by Rebecca Zanetti
Rating: 4.5 stars
Heat Rating: 

Wow that was some serious scary all too real biological danger shoved into a romance novella!  Being a science major I often have issues with the science behind stories like this, but Zanetti has made it entirely believable that the world is coming to an end with a serious outbreak.  Deacan and Nora obviously have some serious issues going into this relatively short story, being ex-spouses and all, but it is apparent immediately that times they are a changing and Deacan is ready to get back the only woman he has ever loved. When she is swooped off the beach in Maui, Nora never realized that the world was about to come crashing down around her, but having Deacan at her side, though admittedly confusing at first, gives her the solid support she needs.  The love between them is one that can stand the test of just about anything and Rebecca definitely puts them through their paces with this story.  Deacan hasn’t always been the man that Nora needed in the past, but as the disease they are battling spreads rapidly around them and the danger to Nora increases exponentially, Deacan knows there is nothing he won’t do to keep her safe and healthy.  I must say that while Rebecca’s definitely skilled in writing her heroes, her villains are also a force of nature too; really who else could come up with the “villain” in this story.  I am looking forward greatly to seeing where this story leads and what the fallout from this one short week of deadly outbreak.

Phantom Embrace by Dianne Duvall
Rating: 4 stars
Heat Rating:

Ok so let’s get real here, there was no way Dianne was going to sell me on a romance story where one of the lovers was a ghost, so I went into this one with an amazing amount of skepticism, but being part of my favorite series I knew I couldn’t skip it.  And, wow, did she make an ass out of me for assuming that she couldn’t pull it off.  First I have to say that this series is one I have loved from the very beginning, mainly because of Dianne’s skill with writing her characters and making her plots so believably unrealistic.  The ways she brings her characters together against all odds, while still having them kicking ass against both vampires and immoral humans is a thing of beauty, so if you haven’t picked up the series I demand you do so NOW.  That being said Yuri and Cat’s story was one that had me crying a lot even as I fell in love right along with them.  Yuri was a sweet and unassuming kind of guy, obviously falling in love with Cat even though they weren’t able to have a truly physical relationship, bringing to mind the love stories of the 18th century when lovers can together first in their minds.  Cat, being a ghost and all, never imagined she would find love with Yuri, but love always finds a way.  Cat was a sweet girl and a good match for Yuri with her intelligence and fierce protectiveness.  Though the ending was a bit sad, more than anything it was a poignant reminder that while there is sadness in life there can also be joy and love in the strongest of places if we just remember to look with our hearts.  I am dying to know what happens next for these warriors and see some new immortals fall under the blade of love.

Stake Out by Hannah Jayne
I did not read this portion of the anthology as it is a part of a long standing series that I have never read.  

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

 

Wednesday, September 2, 2015

Mini-Review: Tamed

Tamed (Club Sin #5)

by Stacey Kennedy


Blurb:


 USA Today bestselling author Stacey Kennedy returns to the tantalizing world of Club Sin in an enticing novel of control and surrender.

Porter Marshall has nearly achieved his goal of becoming a Club Sin Master, but his new sub poses a much bigger challenge than he anticipated. Despite their mutual attraction and red-hot dungeon sessions, Kenzie Hart plays her own games. Her bratty, you-can’t-break-me attitude masks terrible personal hurt—pain that only the exquisite touch of a skilled Dom can release. But when Porter suggests taking their connection to the outside world, Kenzie denies him . . . which only makes him want her more.

Kenzie can’t ignore the raw, fierce bond she has with Porter. But she can’t give in to his dangerous demands, either. Is the passion they share real, or is he using her to solidify his status at Club Sin? And yet, who else can she trust with the shattering secrets she holds within? As Porter expertly brings her to the point of no return, Kenzie surrenders her body—and, piece by piece, her heart.

Themes: erotica, BDSM
Rating: 4.5 stars
Heat Rating:  

Review:

Time for another trip into the erotic and sometimes emotional world of Club Sin and the Dominants and Submissives that play there.  I have noticed that this series, while definitely erotic, seems to focus more on the emotional needs of the D/s relationships that form each novel, which I have to say I LOVE! So often series that revolve around “dungeons” or “BDSM” focus only on the sexual aspects of those relationships, but I have learned there is just so much more to those relationships, and Kennedy is a master of bringing that to life.  I enjoy all her characters, even when they often frustrate me and I want to smack some sense into them, but the core of her writing is the way she pulls her readers into the lives and traumas of those characters and reminds readers that everyone deals with their pasts and fears in their own ways. Kenzie is the Brat of Club Sin, challenging every Dom that she has ever played with, so when she is asked by the owner to serve as Porter’s test to become a Master she is more than willing to play with the sexy new Dom.  Porter knows he has a challenge in Kenzie, but as he studies her and learns what makes her tick, not only does he begin to suspect she has some very serious issues, but he begins to fall deeply under her spell. 
When danger begins to stalk Kenzie, Porter’s protective instincts are riled and he forces his way into her life to keep her safe, leading them both down and emotional, turmoil filled journey.  Kenzie has protected herself in the only way she knows how, distance from everyone, but Porter is not going to allow that distance for long.  Determined to meet Kenzie’s true needs, Porter will do whatever it takes to make her understand that the chemistry and connection between them is not to be denied and in the end only by truly giving up control can Kenzie get everything she wants and needs.  I loved this story, even more than the others in the series, but I am wondering who will find their mate next and have their lives forever changed by Ms. Kennedy’s skillful hand.  A truly great series that shows that love can develop anywhere if you allow yourself to feel those emotions.

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