ARC Review: Night's Blaze: Part 4

Night's Blaze: Part 4 (Dark Kings #5)

by Donna Grant

Blurb:

 Rhys scrubbed a hand down his face, his mind rushing through every nuance of his plan. Every turn was danger for Lily. It made him break out into a sweat. He couldn’t lose Lily. She was the only reason he could face each day. Without her…he was nothing.

Lost in breathtaking passion, Lily and Rhys burn for each other. Yet not all is well. As a destructive force moves to destroy the bond growing bond they share, Rhys is forced to make a choice that will change their lives irrevocably: Lose the woman who has become his salvation? Or be consumed by desire…

Themes:  dragons, magick

Rating: 4.5 stars

Heat Rating: 

Review:

Holy cow, I didn’t expect for any of that to happen and for me to say I saw NONE of that coming is a great endorsement that this author knows her stuff. The finale of this story was packed with action, heartbreak, redemption and unexpected changes to the characters and their roles in the entire series.  Once again we are challenged to figure for ourselves where everyone falls on this scale of evil when so many of the characters seem to live in the varying shades of grey.  The story wraps up nicely with a big battle and then even bigger choices being made by the characters all leading to a second chance at love for Lily and her Dragon King Rhys.  Seeing all the different characters and the choices they made that led to the ending is what makes me continue to wonder just where the series will be going in the future and ultimately how it will end. 

Rhys and Lily's story ends with a bang, literally, as their enemies attack and put them all into mortal danger.  But the enemy in question once again becomes vague when the plot hatched by both sides clash and ultimately neither turns out the way they were planned.  I loved seeing Lily stand up for herself and when the veil of her naiveté is lifted she must finally understand that some people are just inherently evil no matter how much you try to hope otherwise.  The last couple chapters of this story was certainly a tear-jerker as Rhys finds his way and then loses the most important thing to him, only to have his world restored and keep his Lily beside him in his long-awaited HEA.   The ending was one that will keep me guessing and I am dying to find out what happens next, and of course I was left screaming "NOOOOO..." as I came to the last words of the book, because some seriously bad choices get made by characters that broke my heart.  The next book better get here soon is all I can say.

Lily turned out in the end to be a much braver woman than I imagined she would be and certainly a braver woman than I.  In the beginning I thought she was a timid woman, one that could never stand up to the personality of a Dragon King, especially one like Rhys, but she proved me wrong.  Seeing her find that inner peace and be able to embrace the changes to her life as she learns the truth of her new friends and lover reminds me that the goddess sends us challenges so we can find our inner strength.  She was obviously passionate and a perfect foil for Rhys's reckless and often impatient personality, grounding him and making them a truly matched set. Likewise I enjoyed getting to learn all there was to know about Rhys and seeing him fall in love with this vulnerable yet brave mortal woman.  It is obvious that he has never found a woman that can truly be his equal in all ways until Lily comes into his life.  When he is faced with the choice of losing her or giving up his place as a dragon he makes a choice to be human to protect her without even thinking, but dealing with the fallout of that choice has been difficult for him.   Now that he is able to actually embrace a relationship with her he is fully healed and will remain whole forever as long as she is by his side. 

Night’s Blaze was all-in-all a great read with drama, betrayal, discoveries both good and bad, and the true love that can only be found when one meets their destined mate. Lily and Rhys are both damaged goods, but together, if they can find a way to trust one another, they will have their HEA and their second chance at love.  Lily finds herself in this story and in the arms of her Dragon King Lover, bridging the gap between the woman she once was and the one she will be in the future, finding a way to move past the trauma of her relationship with her evil and controlling ex.  Rhys also has his issues to work through and knowing that he is determined to keep Lily away makes me sad, but when he finally accepts that she is meant for him and there is no getting away he becomes the truly great man he is meant to be.  The passion and heart between Lily and Rhys is apparent from the beginning, because let’s face it what man would risk losing half his soul and identity just to be able to make sure a woman who is not even intimate with yet will remain safe.  The ups and downs of the world of the Kings and especially their enemies and allies make the series full of unexpected surprises and keep you on your toes as you read each new addition to the series.  If you haven't read the previous stories in this series, while I feel bad for you because you are missing out, you won't be totally lost.  If you enjoy this book though I will have to tell you that going back to the beginning and maybe even all the way back to the Dark Sword series which started it all will not be remiss.  In the meantime I will continue to anticipate the next book in this series, and the next after that, and so on until all the Dragon Kings have awakened and found their mates and their much deserved HEA, because let’s be honest is there anything sexier than a man who is covered with a sinfully sexy tattoo of the dragon that shares his soul and has the ability to transform into said dragon so he can take you to the stars with him? I think NOT!  Keep the masterpieces coming Donna and we'll keep reading, enjoying inspiring rounds of whisky and planning our trips to Scotland to find our own sexy Scot--that may or may not turn into dragons or warriors. ;) 

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

ARC Review: Total Surrender

Total Surrender (Sin Brothers #4)

by Rebecca Zanetti

Blurb:

A fight he must win...

Piper Oliver knows she can't trust him. They warned her that the tall, dark, and sexy black-ops soldier Jory Dean would try to win her over with his steel-gray eyes and deadly charm, but she won't be conned by this man they call a traitor. All she has to do is figure out the science necessary to save his life, and she's done. Something isn't adding up, though, and she won't rest until she uncovers the truth-even if it's buried in his deep, dangerous kiss.

A passion she can't resist...

Jory will do anything to reunite with and save his brothers-even kidnap the gorgeous woman who's working to deactivate the deadly chip in their spines. But the forces determined to destroy his family won't let them go so easily. Keeping Piper alive is more than he bargained for-and so is his burning desire for her. But with every second bringing him closer to certain death, can he afford to lose himself in her hot and willing embrace?

Themes: contemporary

Rating: 5 stars

Heat Rating: 

Review:

 Finally! We have been waiting to meet Jory and get his story ever since the brother’s realized there was a possibility he might be alive and embarked on a mission to bring him home.  There hasn’t been a story written by Rebecca Zanetti that I haven’t loved for one reason or another and, seriously, when she ends a series she does it with heartbreakingly devious skill.   The Sin Brothers series is one that I was a bit skeptical about when I read the first story, but the series has gradually gotten more intense and the wait for Jory’s full tale quickly became excruciating. If you haven’t read the previous stories in the series I recommend you do so before reading this one, just to get the full impact (and because the other stories kick ass too), but if you are not inclined to do so, you won’t be confused too much as you get backstory enough to keep you in the loop, if not in the know, about everything that’s going on.  Jory’s story is effectively, I believe, the end of the series, but I’m holding out hope for more or a spin off series, as I would love to see how the boys mellow as their women tame them and the love they never had surrounds and fills their lives.  The darkness in this series, and this story especially, remind us of the dark side of human nature and that sometimes the people that give in to that darkness do it for all the right reasons and many more do it for all the wrong reasons, showing that evil doesn’t come from the external in our world, but the internal in us all, the choice is ours. 

Jory’s story truly begins with his imprisonment in the hidden laboratory of the Dean Brothers' greatest enemy, the last place on earth that he ever thought he’d be again.   His only chance to escape is having the help of the beautiful and dangerously intelligent computer hacker that has been brought in to try to deactivate the kill-chip that is counting down to his death, as well as his brothers’.  Piper has worked hard to get her position with the secret military operation and will do everything to resist the draw of the prisoner she’s tasked with saving, but when the world around her begins to unravel, she finds herself questioning everything about her new job and the man that runs the organization.  Once Jory is free, Piper finds herself drawn to the intense and devastatingly handsome man, even though his very presence in her life is shaking her foundations and making her questions every moment of her past.  When the truth comes to light, the only mission that matters anymore is keeping Jory and the Dean Brothers alive so they can defeat the evil that has stalked them their entire lives, and Piper will give her all for that mission.  She is determined that Jory will survive, but she begins to doubt her heart will survive Jory and the passion he stirs in her heart and soul.  When the dust settles, Piper and Jory will have to find a way to be together against all odds—if they both survive the war of their lives. 

OMG Jory is so hot and I just loved his character.  We have gotten glimpses of his personality from his brothers and their pasts together, but actually getting to know him and see how he operates are very different things.  Fully recovered from the shooting that almost cost him his life, Jory is determined to escape his prison so he can find a way to get to his brothers and save their lives, even knowing the chances of saving his own are less that slim to none.  He is dedicated to his family and seeing them have a future so they can find happiness and more than willing to sacrifice for that goal.  I loved seeing him as he worked to convince Piper of the truth of the people around them; charisma is abundant in this man and he is able to use it to devastating effect.  The sweetness that he shows Piper, even though he’s not sure if she’s friend or foe, shows that even though he has a dark side, sometimes too much of one, he is a good man and will protect innocents around him at all costs. It was really interesting, too, to see how he interacted with his brothers when they were finally reunited, the playful bantering and obvious love something that makes you wonder how they managed to be so normal after their formative years spent in hell.   Jory is the perfect combination of strength and vulnerability, danger and safety, and gruff male sexiness and sweetness, making him a perfectly flawed hero, and sending him straight to my list of favorite heroes. 

Piper… oh Piper… she was just so damn naïve and closed to the evil surrounding her that I really wanted to slap some sense into her until about halfway through the book.  I can understand that she has led a relatively sheltered life, but seriously, no one can be that unobservant of the world around them.  And what’s worse is that she is too stubborn in her beliefs to really open her eyes until the heartbreaking truth beats her in the head and she finally accepts that Jory is really the only person she can trust to tell her the truth.  When it became obvious that she knew nothing about the organization, she works for or the people that run it, Jory is able to bring her to the truth, but still she gets herself in more trouble that Jory has to save her from.  I finally started to really love her character though once she opens her eyes and sees that she can play an important role in keeping the Dean brothers alive and bringing down a deadly and dangerous man that has manipulated her most of her life. I enjoyed seeing how she grew from a naïve and needy woman, trying to get the approval of a man that was definitely not worth her time, into a strong and dependent warrior, willing to kill and sacrifice with and for her lover to keep innocents from being hurt more by the evil that has been hiding behind the scenes all her life.  I liked Piper, even when she was being annoyingly trusting, but in the end, I loved her and felt she became woman enough for Jory and a good match for him. 

The greatness that is Zanetti is prominent in the finale of the Sin Brothers series and there is no denying that Total Surrender will remain one of my favorites for a long time to come.  With darkness and danger around every corner, Jory and Piper find each other and the love that will sustain them for a long time in the future, no matter the drama or troubles that they find themselves dealing with.  Jory has earned his HEA and when he sees Piper he never imagines that she would be his, but they are definitely soul mates and made for one another, even if it takes a while for them to realize it.  Passion and heat are abundant from the beginning, however, always under the surface even when neither of them like the other or want to admit to the attraction.  Pipe was a character that just needed her eyes opened to the world around her to force her to grow up and become the strong and independent woman she was meant to be.  Jory’s darkness hides a sweet and geeky man, one that will protect and battle when needed, but is really just happy playing with his electronics—and his woman. :)  I was sad to see the series end, but with the introduction of some new characters I’m hoping for a return or spin-off series in the future (please please please Rebecca!).  For any fan of darker and tortured heroes and the stories of their lives, this is the series for you, especially since we get to see the sweet and softer side of them as they fall in love.  I know I will miss the Dean Brothers and will find myself returning to visit them often. 

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

ARC Review: Night's Blaze: Part 3

Night's Blaze: Part 3 (Dark Kings #5)

by Donna Grant

Blurb:

Lily forgot to breathe. She reacted instantly, desire tightening, coiling within her until her chest heaved. Rhys wasn’t just sexy. He was the god of sex, skilled and proficient in the many ways to bring a woman to her knees with a seductive smile."If I go back in that bed, I wouldn’t ever want to get out."Rhys’ grip tightened on her waist. "Is there anything wrong with that?"

As their newfound passion blazes, Rhys is determined to know Lily, body and soul. But as their lust burns hotter, danger looms closer. Yet as Rhys and Lily stand together to protect the growing intensity between them, one troubled past—and a powerful secret—could tear them apart forever…

Themes:  dragons, magick

Rating: 4 stars

Heat Rating: 

Review:

Well the jig is definitely up for Lily... now her only chance is to tell her lover the whole truth and hope that he can find a way to keep her, her family, and everyone at Dreagan safe from the dangers lurking around every corner.  This third section of Night's Blaze takes off with Lily coming to terms with her new life after she and Rhys have become lovers.  Not only has their passion impacted her personally but the changes in their relationship have given her a new perspective on the mission she has been forced on to protect her family.  Only by coming together to form a plan of attack can Rhys and Lily really protect everyone and keep the ultimate weapon of the Kings out of the hands of their enemies.  This part of the story was more about the emotional growth and trust between Rhys and Lily and Rhys finally accepting that she is his mate and deserves to know the entire truth of his existence and the identities of those at Dreagan.

Lily has blossomed in a very short time, becoming a woman to be reckoned with and she will stop at nothing to find a way to defeat Dennis and have it all in the end.  I loved seeing how she reacted when Rhys tells her about his heritage and seriously that could not have been done better.  This section was full of the drama and danger that Grant writes so well but also included the wit and sarcasm that marks her writing.  The truths surrounding Ulrik and his part in all this were finally fully apparent and it seems he has finally come down on one side of this battle, no more question about that.  We also get to meet a new King in this story and I am looking forward to getting to know him and more as the Kings' ranks continue to grow.  A great way for the series to stretch and a wonderful way for readers to get their fill for a long time to come.  Cannot wait to see how this all shakes down in the last part of the story and I just know we are going to get to see Lily kick some serious ass and Dennis will be the one getting kicked I suspect.  Time for the finale to this great tale of love and healing. 

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

Review: Rock Hard

Rock Hard (Rock Kiss #2)

by Nalini Singh

Blurb:

In New York Times Bestselling author Nalini Singh’s newest contemporary romance, passion ignites between a gorgeous, sinfully sexy man who built himself up from nothing and a shy woman who has a terrible secret in her past…

Wealthy businessman Gabriel Bishop rules the boardroom with the same determination and ruthlessness that made him a rock star on the rugby field. He knows what he wants, and he’ll go after it no-holds-barred.

And what he wants is Charlotte Baird.

Charlotte knows she’s a mouse. Emotionally scarred and painfully shy, she just wants to do her job and remain as invisible as possible. But the new CEO—a brilliant, broad-shouldered T-Rex of a man who growls and storms through the office, leaving carnage in his wake—clearly has other plans. Plans that may be equal parts business and bedroom.

If Charlotte intends to survive this battle of wits and hearts, the mouse will have to learn to wrangle the T-Rex. Game on.

Themes: Contemporary

Rating: 4.5 stars

Heat Rating:  

Review:

The pauper-to-princess story every girl dreams of has moved into the 21^st-century with a bang. The second novel in the Rock Kiss series is the story of a young woman whose tragic past has left her insecure and painfully shy, hiding her fire except when really riled by the prince—or gorgeous, devastatingly sexy, and sometimes sweet Millionaire CEO in this modern version. I am a huge fan of Nalini Singh, especially her Psy-Changeling series, and when I learned she was writing a contemporary series I just knew I had to jump on the chance to read and review those. The books so far all seem to overlap in book-time, which was interesting, but painful when reading book one because you got just enough of a glimpse of what might happen in the next two stories to make you crazy until you were able to read them.  So I recommend reading all three for sure, but you are filled in during each consecutive story so if you don’t start with book one don’t worry.  I don’t know where this series will take us after ready Charlie’s story, but I know I will be waiting impatiently for the next release so I can get my fix of Australian hotties!

Charlie and Gabriel’s story is actually broken into two parts with a significant time lapse in between, but the flow is done so well I didn’t mind.  The story begins with Charlotte, aka Charlie or mouse, caught in a confrontation with her hot as hell new boss and leaves her quaking in her books.  The fear stems from a past that very few are aware of, but all Gabriel, aka T-Rex, is aware of is that she intrigues him when she really shouldn’t and he needs to keep her close until he overcomes or understands this intense attraction.  With the job throwing them constantly together Gabriel decides he doesn’t want to overcome his attraction, he wants to indulge it and have Charlie in his life, not just as a coworker, and he is determined to take as much time as he needs to reach his goals—because never doubt, he WILL get what he wants.  Just as Charlie begins to allow for the possibility of a future with Gabriel, her past invariably comes back to haunt her and throws all T-Rex’s careful planning into chaos.  But the strength of their bond and the newly uncovered passion in his Mouse will give Gabriel the chance to protect Charlie and show her that the love between them can conquer anything. 

Having met Charlotte in the first story and knowing a bit about her already I was predisposed to like her and thankfully when she became the focus of her own story my like of her character grew into love.  Charlotte has a tragic past, one that many women would have buckled under completely, but though she is damaged, she is not truly broken.  Regaining and maintaining her freedom and independence has become her single goal since her trauma and she has done well, but she still hasn’t broken through those final barrier, until Gabriel begins to push her and force her to see that she needs help.  It was amazing to watch her blossom (cliché alert!) as she works and loves alongside Gabriel, her inner goddess emerging right alongside her inner sarcastic bitch, which was my favorite character trait, but the true breakthrough comes when she confronts her past and kicks its ass (literally and figuratively ;) ).  I was a little worried in the beginning that T-Rex would run roughshod over her or simply scare her away, but thankfully, she finds her footing and is able to handle Gabriel in every way in the end.  She is definitely going down in the pantheon of favorite heroines for me and right at the top of her traits will have to be “awesomely fabulous, sarcastic, brilliant, and a T-Rex Tamer”.

Gabriel "T-Rex" Bishop is just one of those characters that every woman wishes she has venture into her life at least one, even if she can’t keep him.  In the beginning, I assumed he would just be another millionaire playboy type that I really had to work hard to like, but the layers to this man seemed to be infinite and I immediately enjoyed meeting his character.  When he first meets Charlotte he just can’t understand why this drab little mouse intrigues him so much, but as he gets to know her through working  with her, he begins to understand just how perfect for him she really is, her fire matching his and her determination almost as strong as his in both personal and professional endeavors.  His protective streak when it comes to those he loves is a mile long, and when he gets it in his mind that he wants something, he puts his entire being toward meeting that goal, which are of course two of my favorite traits in my romance heroes.  His sexuality is off the charts, but he is able to temper his rougher side and show the sweetness he usually keeps buried when he is dealing with the fragile and sometimes terrifyingly vulnerable mouse that has captured his heart and soul.  It was also interesting to see the way Charlotte heals his emotional traumas in return, helping him past the anger over his own past and come to terms with the changes in his family.  It is obvious rather quickly, that Gabriel will have to embrace and uncover many more important layers in his heart before he can earn his mouse in his life, bed, and heart.

Rock Hard is one of those ever-after stories that will stick with you long after you put the book back on your shelf and will pull you in for rereads again and again. The love between T-Rex and his Charlie-Mouse is apparent to the reader long before either of them accept it or declare it to each other.  Charlotte digs herself out of the emotional damage that have layered over her true nature due to past traumas, and seeing the true her emerge and embrace the world around her, you begin to understand that if you can find the strength within yourself, and possibly the love and the support of a good man, you really can overcome anything.  Gabriel on the other hand needed a woman like Charlotte, soft but strong, to tame his inner T-rex and remind him of the simple joys in life and the way to temper his need for success.  Though his determination to succeed never fades, I think he begins to understand the better reasons for that success and embrace the good parts of life that are easier to enjoy when you’re successful, but it takes Charlotte to show him that joy.  The passion between them was off the charts, even when they were both denying that attraction and keeping things (mostly) professional.  This story was full of tears, laughs, sensuality, and the true desire of two people to overcome their pasts together and have a future that is bright and full of love, laughter, and happiness.   I cannot wait to find out what’s next in this series and I know that Nalini will not let me down!

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

ARC Review: Night's Blaze: Part 2

Night's Blaze: Part 2 (Dark Kings #5)

by Donna Grant

Blurb:

He was virile, persuasive, and masculine. His rugged good looks turned heads, but in a suit, he looked dashing and powerful. A combination no woman could ignore. And he was sitting next to her. Lily wanted to run her fingers through his long, dark brown waves and pull his head down for a kiss. And if he didn’t quit looking at her as if he wanted to take her right there, she just might.

Lily Ross is taking the first step in building a new life for herself. Still reeling from a relationship that nearly broke her spirit, Lily is wary of her attraction to brawny, brooding Rhys. The passion burning so brightly between them is a potent temptation, but any entanglement is destined to end in disaster. Yet when a spectre from Lily’s past threatens their growing bond, Rhys is forced to choose with his heart, or lose this woman who has become his one chance at salvation...

Themes:  dragons, magick

Rating: 4.5 stars

Heat Rating: 

Review:

Well now, Miss Lily just got a lot more interesting.  In this section we learn a lot more about Lily and see her relationship with Rhys blossom and become even more intense.  The story continues with Lily finding herself and digging her strength out from under the fear and trauma that has shaped her recent past, instead finding the siren buried deep beneath.  Rhys also takes some interesting steps, showing us a bit more of the dark side that he has always hidden behind easy laughs but that has become more and more apparent as he dealt with the loss of his dragon.  I enjoyed this section of this story even more than the first, enjoying the passion, sweet moments and strength of character that is becoming the focus of the story.  There was also a VERY interesting tidbit about Ulrik that will be affecting every story past and present I think as we learn more about this new development.  Cannot wait to get back to Rhys and Lily’s story though I have a serious feeling that the shit is about to hit the fan in a big way for these two new lovers.

Lily has finally accepted that she will have to take drastic steps to get out from under the thumb of her abusive ex, and she will have to find that inner badass so she can find a way to beat him.  Allowing her to wrap herself in her new “armor” and embrace the sensuality she makes drastic changes and then decides that she will no longer be pushing Rhys away.  When they finally give into the passion between them the heat blazes and Rhys is no longer able to deny that she is his and she will beat  out of the darkness that is wrapping around him.  We also get to see that Rhi is moving chess pieces around in this war as well and she will definitively play a crucial role in the coming battles.  Henry too seems to be playing more and more of a role in this story and I like seeing that the Dragons have accepted that even though he is human, he is a dangerous and much needed ally.  And damn it once again I find myself wondering if Ulrik is as bad of a guy as he sometimes seems and just what his role in all this danger really is.  Only Grant can keep me on the edge like this and unable to decide who’s the bad guy and where this war will ultimately lead.  Congrats Donna, you continue to confound me with your imaginative plots.

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

Review: Once and Always

Once and Always

by Julia Harper 

Blurb:

 IS THERE A PROBLEM, OFFICER?

Small town cop Sam West certainly doesn't mind a routine traffic stop: speeding ticket, stern warning, and sayonara. With a whopper of a blizzard closing in, that's all he has time for. But the lawbreaker he pulls over is anything but typical. From her mile-long legs to her razor-sharp wit, Maisa Bradley is like nothing Coot Lake, Minnesota, has ever seen . . . and she's about to take Sam on the ride of his life.

BEING BAD HAS ITS BENEFITS

Whoever said blood is thicker than water probably wasn't related to a former Russian mobster. But an innocent mix-up and rumors of stolen diamonds soon have the Russian mob taking an unusual interest in the sleepy little town-and Maisa facing heated scrutiny from a certain tall, dark, and handsome deputy. Sam's dazzling blue eyes beg her to reveal all her secrets, but how much should she tell? Getting snowed in with the sexiest lawman in the frozen north may not be the worst way to decide . . .

Themes: contemporary

Rating: 3 stars

Heat Rating: 

Review:

Ok, so to be perfectly honest the only reason I picked up this book was because it was written by an alter ego of one of my favorite historical romance authors, Elizabeth Hoyt, and I had very high hopes for her new project.  I wanted to love this story, really, I did, but I was barely able to move it into the like column.  Though I am a huge fan of Hoyt’s historical work, I don’t think I’ll be jumping to read anymore of her Julia Harper stories right away.  While the story held a lot of promise, the characters were not overly likable for me, the romance was abrupt and just plain odd, and the overall storyline was choppy and jumped around way too much for my tastes.  All in all, it was a very simple read without a lot of anticipatory passion or buildup and characters that lacked that special something that makes them memorable.  I may give another story by Harper a chance, but I’ll probably just stick with Hoyt’s dependably awesome historical romances. 

The story revolves around Sam and Maisa, who are on separate ends of the conflict that stems from a one-night stand months earlier.  Sam keeps chasing after Maisa every time she comes to town to visit her great uncle, but Maisa thinks they could never have a relationship because of her family’s past.  When their worlds collide and a series of unfortunate and completely improbable events lands them in the sights of the Russia mafia, Sam and Maisa, along with a strange group of locals, her uncle, and a mafia accountant, have to work together to defeat the mobsters that have over taken their town and find a way to keep everyone alive. 

Sam was one of those characters that should have had this strong brooding alpha presence, that would make any woman yearn, but I just couldn’t feel it for him in this story for some reason.  I liked his backstory and his emotional attachment when he finally began to share that story with Maisa and us, but there still remained a disconnect for me.  My biggest issue I think was the way he seemed to be emotionally attached and ready to jump right into a relationship with a woman that he didn’t even seem to really know all that much about.  Yes, they knew each other in the biblical sense, but other than that he really knew nothing about her personally, but he remained determined that he was going to have her and they would be great together.  Maisa was a bit more realistic in that way, but I really wasn’t able to find a reason to like her very much.  She seemed weak to me and if there’s one thing I hate it’s a truly weak female lead, one that seems to lack the inner strength to counteract any vulnerability that might be part of her nature.  She didn’t think choices out completely, she jumped to conclusions a lot, and she allowed circumstances to shape her instead of shaping her circumstances. 

Overall, Once and Always had a lot of promise that went unfulfilled in my opinion.  Maybe it was just that I had such high expectations based on my love of Hoyt’s historical work, but in the end, I was left wanting and unsure just what had happened. Sam was a character that I could have liked with a few more important additions to his character.  While he was obviously a smart and sexy person, with some serious chops as a cop, he was lacking an emotional depth, except for a few select scenes, that kept me from forming a deep emotional connection to him.  Maisa I just didn’t really like much at all.  She was selfish for the most part, used those around her for her own purposes, and was so determined to keep herself from falling for Sam that she almost got them all killed with dumb choices.  The passion was there in starts and stops, without too much buildup between those scenes, which to me is one of the best parts of a romance, but it’s possible my issues with the characters kept me from really enjoying any passion between them.  Sadly, for me the story was a miss, not quite a bust, as I definitely needed to finish the story to see if Maisa pulled her head out of the sand, but it wasn’t a hit in my book.  I will have to reserve judgment on the Harper pseudonym completely until I read a few more stories, but I will most likely just still with Hoyt and her great Maiden Lane Series. 

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

ARC Review: Night's Blaze: Part 1

Night's Blaze: Part 1 (Dark Kings #5)

by Donna Grant

Blurb:

Did she have any idea how he fought not to go to her? How it went against everything he was not to take her and make her his?

Rhys is a king who walks in darkness. However, an innocent kiss from one woman slayed him as nothing in his very, very long life had ever done. It physically hurt for him to tear his lips away from hers—and to turn his back on her for eternity. But can a Dark King ever forget the pleasure, the cost, of true passion? One woman is about to put him to the ultimate test…

Themes:  dragons, magick

Rating: 3.5 stars

Heat Rating: 

Review:

The Dragon Kings are on the hunt for the traitor in their lives and are raring for the battles to come, even as they crave the peace of a simple life with their mates and an end to all the drama in their lives. This first portion of the latest story in the Dragon Kings saga revolves around the King Rhys who in the last novel lost his ability to shift into his dragon when he was cursed by a combination of Dragon and Dark Fae Magic.  He is attempting to come to terms with the changes in his life, while trying to keep himself from Lily, the one woman in all his years that he has desired above all others and the one woman he can’t bring himself to take—his mate. Lily is dealing with her own issues as her past comes back to haunt her in a big way and she finds herself trapped between protecting someone she loves and betraying those she has come to respect and care for.  And not to be neglected is the fact that their enemies are closing in, in a big way, and it has become more and more of a challenge for their allies to remain safe in the war as the Dragon Kings search for their traitor and find a way to keep the world out of the hands of the Dark Fae.  I love anything that Donna Grant writes to be honest, but I’m really enjoying the depth and emotion that I can already see will be a big part of Rhys and Lily’ story, even though this first section wasn’t full of passion, it was definitely packed with plot and I cannot wait to find out how everything shakes down in the coming sections of the story. 

I have liked Rhys off and on from the beginning, never quite sure of the depths of his emotions and which side of the ultimate battle he might end up on, but he’s obviously chosen his side and there is nothing that will keep him from keeping Lily and his friends safe.  There have been a few moments where his self loathing and lack of confidence in his worth have made me want to pinch him so he wakes up to see the great man he is.  But it is painfully obvious that when he is forced to take a stand, probably when Lily is endangered, he will step up and kick ass just like he always has, regardless that he cannot shift into his dragon.  Lily waffles a bit from the strong woman she has been trying to become, but I think she will surprise us all and become an integral part of the Dragon Kings’ team once she remembers the strength of her own backbone.  I am looking forward to seeing where this story goes and of course what will happen with Henry and Rhi who both seems to be playing slightly more into the overall story this time.  And of course it has to be said that I am still planning to find a way to kidnap Donna and make her tell me who the King is that still holds Rhi’s heart—just fair warning Donna. ;)

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

Mini-Review: Darkness Eternal

Darkness Eternal (Guardians of Eternity #7.5)

by Alexandra Ivy

Blurb:

 For the Guardians of Eternity, battle is a way of life—whether the plight of their world is at stake, or the fate of their heart…

After being held captive by one vampire for four centuries, Kata had no intention of taking another one to the underworld with her. Yet even in the pits of Hell, there’s no ignoring the intoxicating desire awakened by Uriel’s touch..

Themes:  vampires, magick, paranormal

Rating: 3.5 stars

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Review:

 An interesting return of some favorite characters and a glimpse into the back story of the big evil plot.  Uriel and Kata’s story is fast but intense with some scary revelations and then of course the reveal of a long time plan that comes to beautiful fruition.  I have loved every book in this series since the very beginning, with the characters keeping my interest as well as the crazy twists and turns this world has taken as each new story developed.  For the most part I recommend that this series be read in order, even though each is set up to be read as a standalone, because so much of the plot carries over or depends on the previous books and of course the characters often move from story to story.  Mostly if you’re interested in a quick read with lots of sensuality, some hilarious dialogue and the love of a vampire for his mate, you will enjoy this story. 

Uriel was a bit of a hard-ass but when he meets Kata and gets dragged with her into Hell, he is determined to fulfill his mission of keeping her safe and getting her back to her daughter in one piece.  He never imagined when he reluctantly agreed to his boss’s wishes that Kata would turn out to be his mate the one woman in all the world that was made for him.  Kata is finally free from this long time prison of her own body and able to embrace that freedom in a big way when she finds herself instantly and intensely attracted to Uriel as they find themselves trapped together in Hell because of a spell her evil bitch of a sister cast over her.  As they come together to defeat their enemies and embrace their desire, Kata and Uriel begin to see that their connection is more than simple lust and if they can make it out alive they will have a chance to find a way to have a future together.  I enjoyed this novella very much even though I read it a bit out of order so I already knew where some of the plot was going to end up and of course my favorite mini-demon Yannah plays an important role in this story.  Uriel and Kata definitely earned their HEA and it was great to see them finally find it. Cannot wait to see what’s next in the rest of this series.

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

Review: Vampires Never Cry Wolf

Vampires Never Cry Wolf (Dead in the City #3)

by Sara Humphreys

Blurb:

 Sadie Pemberton is the DJ at the hottest vampire club in New York City, and she loves her freedom almost as much as she hates werewolves. She has no desire to tie herself to anyone for eternity—even the deliciously sexy Killian Bane—werewolf prince and heir apparent who has been sent to patrol the city.

But Sadie bears the mark of the moon—the mark that Killian has been looking for, the mark that's meant to reveal his perfect mate. How can the fates be so cruel? Even more importantly, how is he ever going to change her mind?

Themes:  vampires, shifters, paranormal

Rating: 4 stars

Heat Rating:  

Review:

NYC will never be the same now the wolves have moved in on the vampire territory and big changes are coming to the hidden world of paranormals when two unexpected lovers find each other.  This series is a spin off from the Amoveo series and the characters continue to make the stories interesting and you never know what might happen next in this world.  I have enjoyed each new installment of this series, learning something new about the characters and their legends and finding out that I wish I had the imagination Sara has.  This story revolves around the attraction that has been simmering between Sadie and Killian since they encountered one another in the last book, but I never imagined just how awesome their connection would turn out and how much their relationship would change their worlds.  The story takes several interesting turns, but at its core, it remains a love story between two people that have been searching for their other half and had almost given up hope.  I am really looking forward to whoever has the next story in this series and seeing where this amazing world will take us next. 

Sadie and Killian have their differences but the attraction between them is undeniable and when they find themselves in close quarters there is no way they can keep their hands off each other. While Killian is chasing after Sadie, looking for a little fun, he never imagines that she is the woman of his dreams—literally.  As they get to know each other more and embrace the passions they bring out of each other, the truth of their meaning to one another comes to light and changes them both forever.  The fate of their worlds lies in the way they handle their burgeoning relationship, but outside influences put them and their loved ones into danger they never anticipated.

Sadie was the type of heroine I loved, full of sass, determined to protect herself and her loved ones, and willing to give her heart only to the right man and she’ll make Killian work to prove he is that man.  I loved seeing the changes in her and the way she embraced them even though they scared her a bit. She obviously is a fighter in every sense of the world and as she fights with Killian and against their enemies at his side; her spunk and courage make her an ultimate warrior.  Killian is a bit of an arrogant bastard at first, but as we get to know him, more we come to appreciate the man he could be with the calming influence of a good woman.  He leads with his heart, but uses his head as well in all decisions, making him a dynamic leader and sensual lover.  I liked seeing him fall at Sadie’s feet and work to prove to her that he is the man for her.  When they team up against their enemies he never forgets the fact that she is beside him, letting her do what she needs to help, but keep her safe at the same time. 

I didn’t really know what to expect with this novel, mainly because we have only gotten glimpses of Sadie’s character in the past and I wasn’t sure if I would like the new roles she’s been taking in the coven.  She is growing up and becoming an integral part of her world and when she begins to change and embrace her new life as Killian’s mate we know that she will be a great ruler by his side.  Killian’s sweet side thankfully overcomes his arrogance and finds a way to prove to Sadie that they can have a happy and full life if they mate and join heart and soul.  The heat between Sadie and Killian flares any time they are in the same room and even when they are just thinking about one another you can feel the strength of desire they have for one another.  The villain in the story was hidden right until the end, even though I had my sessions, and the way Humphreys sets up conflict is so beautifully done that you never realize you’ve been had until the big climax.  I enjoyed every second of this book and am looking forward to seeing more of Killian and Sadie in future novels, much like I enjoyed seeing couples from the previous novels interwoven in this one.  There seems to be an endless depth to the imagination of the author and I know that whatever comes next I will grab it as soon as it’s available and love it just as much.  If you’ve missed previous stories in this series (or in the original series of the Amoveo) you might find yourself missing some of the finer details but you will by no means be lost, so my recommendation is to read Sadie and Killian’s story and once you’re hooked go back to the very beginning and read them all! 

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

Review: Cursed by Fire

Cursed by Fire (Immortal Brothers #1)

by Jacquelyn Frank

Blurb:

From New York Times bestselling author Jacquelyn Frank comes the scorching hot first book in a thrilling new series featuring four warrior brothers who have the power—and the curse—of immortality.

 For centuries, Dethan has been trapped in a fiery inferno for defying the gods and snatching the power of immortality. Condemned to have his battle-hardened body licked by flames only to regenerate and be consumed all over again, Dethan has lost all hope—until the Goddess of Conflict appears. She will release him from torment—if he’ll use his power and strength as a warrior to raise an army and defeat a fierce enemy faction of gods.

 Free to live as a man once again, Dethan meets Selinda—heir to the throne of Hexis—and his thoughts quickly turn from the conquest of cities to the conquest of this headstrong beauty. Betrothed to a cruel, calculating powermonger, Selinda needs a champion, and so Dethan enters into another bargain: If she will share her bed—and her body—with him, Dethan will save her city from destructive forces within and without. As the lovers ignite a searing passion, Dethan will risk all—even the wrath of the Goddess of Conflict—for a chance to make Selinda his forever.

Themes: paranormal, alternate reality

Rating: 3.5 stars

Heat Rating: 

Review:

Ok well that was certainly an …. Interesting… story.  I have read everything ever written by Jackie Frank, from her nightwalkers series to any number of smaller series and stand alone novels, but I must say that this new world she has created was definitely the strangest and the story itself was very Greek saga-esque. While I can’t say I loved this story, I did enjoy the plot and many of the characters were interesting, but for me the story lacked the level of passion and greatness I have come to expect from this author.  I can say with all certainty that I will be reading the next book in the series, but if this story had been written by anyone other than one of my favorite authors I would be reluctant to continue.  This story contained so much world building and setting up of the culture, that there didn’t seem to be enough time for the emotions of the characters to develop.  It was one of those stories that would have fit right in during Victorian England, but with a strangely alien twist.  All-in-all I think the series has great promise and hopefully book two will see a return of the passion and connection of the characters that I wanted. 

Dethan is being punished by the gods for his hubris in assuming that he could give himself and his brothers the gift of immortality and his suffering isn’t so much at and end as being compressed into a shorter time of each day.  He has been granted a reprieve by his patron goddess so that he can conquer in her name and give her back the power she needs in the war of the gods.  The first day of his reprieve he finds himself swept into the intrigue and drama of the local monarchy, and in lust with the Princess Selinda, who intrigues him and leads him into dangerous thoughts of staying with her.  Selinda sees in Dethan a savior and a chance for her to get out of under the thumb of the evil “vizier”, would I guess be the best term, but she know she’ll have to sacrifice to keep him around and find a way to entice him to take on her mission.  It will come down to choices for these two and only the trust that develops between them will make their enemies vulnerable and defeatable, and when the battle is won they have to come to a decision about their future that could tear them apart or ultimately win them their freedom to live and love together. 

Dethan was an ass; let’s just get that out there.  While I can honestly say that he had his reasons to be angry with the gods, his manipulations of the people around him and stubbornness to change his methods and reasons made me want to beat him over the head, often.  He enters into an agreement to protect and defeat in Selinda’s name, but at the same time he is blind to the danger he is putting her in.  Even as his mind for war leads him to an obvious defeat against their enemies, these same thoughts keep him from truly understanding the connection between Selinda and himself and the importance of her in his life.  It just takes him entirely too long to wizen up, and this puts Selinda in the unique position of becoming her own white knight.  For me Dethan was one of those characters I just never came to understand or care for, but Selinda on the other hand was a heroine I could love.  Selinda is a true dichotomy, working behind the scenes of her world to try to make her people’s lives better even when it puts her into immediate and deadly danger, but at the same time she is completely under the thumb of the men around her and often is forced to be submissive to them to keep her alive.  I can easily see how that repression could make a woman do something reckless to find a way to escape the hell she finds herself in.  Her life has definitely not been a cake walk, with her family mysteriously dying all around her, her father becoming oblivious to the plight of not only his people, but his own daughter, and the torture at the hands of the man who would be her husband.  When she makes the daring choice to offer anything he desires to Dethan for his help, there is no way she can truly see the outcome of those choices?  But as her true strength becomes more and more apparent, we begin to understand that she is the true star of this story and will be the one to ultimately save herself and her monarchy, even if she has given her heart to Dethan. 


Ok so I have to say I have read several other reviews that said this book was horrible, and I guess if all you’ve ever read by Jackie is her Nightwalkers series, you might be a bit disappointed and lost in the way she presents her new worlds, but having read several different series by her and seeing all the different worlds that she is able to create from her imagination, I was more than happy with the story and world building, if a bit let down by the hero himself. The world has many parallels to different time periods of our own world and if you have made a study of the past you can easily see how well the story meshes them together, while presenting us with unique twists and alien differences.  But Jackie’s writing ability keeps it from being too strange for me so I find those reviews were unfair, mainly because though they share an author, it is unjust to compare two such different series. 

So my honest opinion is that this story was pretty darn good and I am looking forward to the stories of the other brothers.  The premise of the story is very Greek tragedy, which gives me a familiar home to come to in my mind as the plot unfolds.  Dethan could have used a bit more spine for my personal reading pleasure, but sometimes the characters just don’t feel the same to one reader as they do to another, or even to the author.  He was intelligent, quick thinking, honorable and sensual, my biggest problem was that he was a bit emotionally stunted and took too long to understand the importance of his connection to Selinda and the redemption that connection could offer him.  Selinda however is one of the great heroines to me, strong willed but able to temper her outbursts, dedicated to her people and determined to keep them safe, and willing to give her all for a way to bring down the evil that is festering within her own house.  The passion between the characters was fiery and intense, even while the emotions seemed a bit one-sided (my biggest issue with Dethan revised) and seeing the way that Selinda uses that passion to find her inner strength was fabulous.  Overall I was kept interested in the story because of Selinda and her battles, both internal and external, and of course my desire to see the villain get his ass kicked—literally and figuratively.  I am reserving judgment on the entire series at least until I get through the next book, but I can see a lot of promise and am hoping that Garreth, whose book is next, will be the hero that I need to reinforce my love of this author.   So my advice, give the story a chance and ignore that negative reviews that you might read, sometimes your feelings on a book can surprise even you.

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