ARC Review: The Way Home

The Way Home (One-Eyed Jacks #2) 

by Cindy Gerard

Blurb:

 A heartwarming Christmas story from the New York Times bestselling “true master of romantic suspense” (Romantic Times).

Four years ago Jess Albert got the news that her husband Jeff was killed in action in Afghanistan, and a painful void entered her life. The more time passed, the more acutely she felt that emptiness. But when Tyler Brown, former military hero and all-around alpha male, shows up a year after she’d last seen him, Jess gradually begins to realize there is one thing that can make her feel whole again—love.

As they’re planning their wedding and new life together, Jess receives shocking news: her husband is alive, under the care of a young Afghani woman hiding him from the Taliban. Even as he sees their happily-ever-after slip away, Ty arranges for the One Eyed Jacks and Black Ops, Inc. teams to make a daring and dangerous rescue mission to bring Jeff home. The hardest thing Ty or Jess has ever done is to let the other go.

When Jeff returns to Jess, broken physically and emotionally and with no memory of their history, they try to heal their marriage and each other. But as time brings them together more as friends than lovers, an unexpected development helps them see the true way home, to the people they love.

Review:

Every once in a while an author that you know and love offers you something completely unanticipated and out of the normal realm of your expectations; this story was just such a story. I went into this story knowing it might be a bit different since the blurb gave a bit away, but this was even more surprising and enjoyable than I thought it would be. If you have read any of the Black Ops series or the first book in the One Eyed Jacks series you will enjoy seeing some familiar characters, but Gerard definitely took this book into an entirely new direction.  There was intense emotional drama and psychological trauma, which leads four people into new territory and teaches them the true meaning of love and commitment. With ups, downs, laughs, tears, and the action inherent in any spec ops or military drama, The Way Home is a spectacular read that will leave you breathless.

The story actually takes place simultaneously in two different settings and about two different couples. First we have Jess and Ty.  Ty exploded into Jess’s life a year or so earlier when he and his brother were on a small mission that required some firepower and they instantly had a connection.  But when Ty never contacted Jess again, she’d given up hope of ever hearing from him or experiencing that zing again, though she’s never gotten him out of her mind.  When he finally reappears, ready to explore their feelings and perhaps have a chance to be together.  As they spend time together and work together to overcome the tragedies they’ve both been dealing with these last few years, Ty and Jess realize that they are meant to be together and their love develops into a deep and abiding bond that will allow them both to find all the happiness they’ve been seeking.

Meanwhile in Afghanistan, Jess’s husband, presumed dead for over three years, has escaped his captivity and is receiving shelter from a young afghan woman and her father.  He’s been tortured, broken physically and psychologically, but with the help of Rabia he is finally digging out of the hole he’s lived in.  Starved emotionally and bodily, he needs Rabia's help to find himself again so that he can return to the man he once was, but things are never as simple as they should be.  Rabia and Jeffery slowly begin to develop feelings for each other and when his memories return, reminding him what he has been through the last three years, she offers him the solace he needs more than anything else.  But as their time comes to an end, they both realize their feelings are deeper than just captive and rescuer, something that seems remarkably close to love.  But when Jeffery is returned to the US and learns he has a wife, his life and emotions are thrown into turmoil.

Ty is such a sweet guy, even though he is an alpha, sexy military guy.  It was great to see him chasing after Jess and making sure that she understands just how far he is willing to go to convince her to give him a chance.  Jess is a woman that has been living an empty life, coming to terms with herself now that she is a widow and running her family’s general store.  Ty is sexy beyond belief and when Jess finally gives in to him and they take their relationship to the next level, the love between them is so deep and sexy that I find myself wanting to read a whole second book about this couple just so I can see more of their loving.  Rabia and Jeffery’s love is different, forbidden and dangerous, but one that becomes just as deep and fulfilling.  Jeffery has certainly had more than his share of misery and sorrow, as has Rabia, but the connection between them is one that comes to mean more to both of them than the dangers inherent to their relationship.  Jeffery is a character that is definitely one that reminds you that no matter how bad your life is, there are some that have it so much worse.  Rabia is a cool lady too, one that leads an underground rebellion for afghan women’s rights, rescues men in danger, and generally puts her life in danger repeatedly just to insure that no one is ever mistreated or taken advantage of, she is for sure true to her title of heroine. 

When I began this story I had an idea that things would be different than normal, but I never expected just how heartwarming and heart-wrenching this story would be by turns.  I cried often seeing all the trauma and fears that the two couples had to overcome.  Circumstances and their own decisions led both couples to make unexpected decisions, but in the end everyone found their happiness and were able to embrace this new idea of their new family.  Jess, Ty, Rabia, and Jeffery were all wonderful characters, full of depth, intensity, and all the emotional confusion that lead both couples to find their bliss in unexpected ways.  It was great to get to see some of the characters from previous books and catch up with them, but the beauty of this story was definitely in the emotions between these couples. The best lesson we can take from this story is that love can come in many forms and at any time, if only we open ourselves to the emotions and embrace those that would offer the chance at love.  I cannot wait to see where this series goes from here, but I honestly don’t know if this story can be topped. If you’ve never read a story by Cindy Gerard I suggest you go and buy this one now and read it immediately! You can’t find a better story to begin with, but just understand that this is different from most of her work. Thank you Ms. Gerard for one of the best stories of the year, but you owe me a few boxes of tissues now. :)

Rating: 5 stars 

Rose Rating:  

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

ARC Review: Born Wild

Born Wild (Black Knights Inc. #5)

by Julie Ann Walker

Blurb:

She's got three rules:

1. Trust no one… Eve Edens has been abandoned, used, or manipulated by almost everyone she's ever met. Born into ridiculous wealth, she's dealt with the petty jealousies and sordid little resentments for nearly thirty years. But after three botched attempts on her life, she can no longer ignore the truth. Someone wants her dead.

2. Avoid the bad boys at all costs… William "Wild Bill" Reichert, the wonderfully sexy boy who abandoned her years ago, is back in town. Only he's no boy. Now he's a covert operative - and he's all man. When Eve hires Bill to help her discover who is behind the attacks, Bill soon comes to suspect it's someone much closer to Eve than she dares to believe.

3. And never fall for the same ruse twice… The search for the killer takes Bill and Eve deep into the dark secrets and strange world of the rich and famous, and into the heart of red-hot passion re-ignited by the peril that threatens to consume them both. But does Eve dare risk her heart on Bill a second time?

Review:

Well that was a trip! Betrayals, uncovering decades old secrets, finding lost love and dodging killers all in a period of less than a week will leave you breathless as you journey with Wild Bill and Eve as they try to make sense of the new drama in their lives. I have loved this series since the very beginning and as more and more Knights fall under the spells of the ladies who enchant them, I find myself wishing I could take a trip to Chicago just to see if these guys might really be hiding out there somewhere. Ms. Walker writes her characters with such depth and her settings with such vivid imagery, that I find myself seeing every second of the story in my mind as it unfolds in perfect Technicolor radiance. If you haven’t found yourself riding on the back of a tricked out chopper, wrapped around a sexy biker/secret agent these novels will make you feel like you are right there experiencing it all for yourself. 

Born Wild begins with Even Edens finally accepting that her life is in serious danger, but since none of the cops she has reported her many “accidents” to have helped, she resorts to the only option left to her, though she despises her desperation.  She must seek help from her friends at Black Knights Inc. and hope that the one man she’s always loved and whose heart she broke over a decade ago will believe her and help her save her life. Though her fear is evident, Bill is reluctant to get involved because he knows he won’t be able to keep his distance while he helps her.  But as more and more dangers come to light, proving to everyone that Eve is indeed a target, Bill can’t bring himself to deny his feelings any longer.  When the danger leads them to uncover long held secrets to their own personal past, both Eve and Bill must decide if they can forgive and forget so they can build a new life together or if they have lost too much over the years to move past it and find their hearts.  I can honestly say for the first time in ages, I didn’t see the bad guy's true identify until almost the same time the characters figured it out, which is very rare for me.  The suspenseful aspect of the book was extremely well done and didn’t leave me disappointed in the least.

Wow, I can tell you for sure that the dynamics of this relationship have been driving me crazy for several books as I learned snippets here and there about their pasts. Bill certainly has his reasons for doubting in Eve and even hating her at times, but his feelings go so much deeper and they are complicated beyond belief. While I felt badly for Bill, I could see his inner heart and knew that in the end his forgiveness would change his entire outlook on life.  He is a strong alpha male, but his gooey heart was encased in ice after Eve left him the first time.  I knew that the passion that still burned between them would one day melt that ice into a pool of lust that would lead them down an interesting road to be sure. Though we saw glimpses of the shy and terrified girl that Eve was most of her life, thankfully we meet her at a time when she is ready to change her life and she accomplishes it in spades. When she’s kidnapped by pirates (yes real pirates) she uses that as an impetus to dig deep and bring her inner strength to light.  She decides to embrace that strong independence and finally coming to terms with her past will Billy is one of the things she has to face.  I loved how she continued to surprise Billy and the Knights with her skills, strength, and sometimes misguided courage.

The passion between Billy and Eve has been bottled up and pushed deep in their minds and hearts for over a decade. Every time they are forced together you can see the heat between them, mostly in the barbs fired by Bill as he tries to fight his desires and of course in the way that Eve can’t keep her eyes from connecting with him.  Faced with the threat to Eve’s life, Billy slowly begins to come to terms with their past and see that he can’t handle losing her again.  Eve, on the other hand knows that she has ruined any chance she had with Billy a decade ago, but she is determined that she will get her one night, the night that she denied them so long ago, and won’t let a little thing like impending death stop her pursuit of the one man she’s ever loved.  Their one night together is definitely worth every second of waiting and the heat they produce could light the world on fire.

By and large, Born Wild was one of the best romantic suspense novels I’ve read so far this year.  Well written, full of drama, action, laughs and love, you will enjoy every second of reading Wild Bill and Eve’s story of love, loss, and forgiveness.  The plot is rich and filled with twists, turns, overlaps, and discovery of betrayal and secrets that change lives and teach that trust is something that should never be taken for granted.  Bill and Eve are a perfect couple and experiencing the resurgence of their love and their rediscovery of one another was a heart-wrenching and heart-warming event by turns.   I am so glad that Eve and Bill finally found their way back into each other’s arms and earned their HEA.  Seeing all that Eve went through and knowing that she never gave up and never surrendered to hopelessness gives me a new outlook on relationships and hope for finding my own inner strength.  I cannot wait to find out more about the Knights and I suspect that Mac will soon have his turn in the hot seat.  Another great work of art Ms. Walker, thank you.

Rating: 4.5 stars

Rose Rating:  

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

Review: Hinter's Heat

Winters Heat (Titan #1)

by Cristin Harber 

Blurb:

 A WOMAN ON A MISSION

After putting her life on the line to protect classified intelligence, military psychologist Mia Kensington is on a cross-country road trip from hell with an intrusive save-the-day hero. Uninterested in his white knight act, she’d rather take her chances without the ruggedly handsome, cold-blooded operative who boasts an alpha complex and too many guns.

AND THE MAN SENT TO STOP HER

Colby Winters, an elite member of The Titan Group, has a single objective on his black ops mission: recover a document important to national security. It was supposed to be an easy in-and-out operation. But now, by any means necessary becomes a survival mantra when he faces off with a stunning woman he can’t leave behind.

MUST PARTNER TO SURVIVE

When Titan’s safe houses are compromised, Colby stashes Mia at his home, exposing his secret—he’s the adoptive father of an orphaned baby girl. Too soon, danger arrives and Mia lands in the hands of a sadistic cartel king with a taste for torture. As hours bleed into fear-drenched days, Colby races across the globe and through a firestorm of bullets to save the woman he can’t live without.

Review:

 I honestly want to be able to say that I loved this story, but I can only say that I was a bit underwhelmed with it overall.  There was so much potential in this storyline and I just love a good PMC (Private Military Company)  story, because honestly is there anything hotter than a sexy merc and his men kicking ass? Though there was some good points the overall feel of the book was a bit blah and I just never felt connected to any of the characters.  I will say I enjoyed the witty diatribes between the characters and there were a few good action sequences. I am willing to keep an open mind and continue with the series, but if I don’t feel more of a connection with the next set of lovers I may have to bail. 

The story begins with Titan operative Colby Winters on a mission to retrieve a package his client has hidden in a random airport.  His mission is complicated by not one, but two different adversaries that are also after the package, one of which retrieves it first.  When he first sees Mia Kensington with the package he wants to believe she is a trained operative, but quickly discovers she’s more of a damsel in distress.  Through a series of unfortunate kidnappings, rescues, attacks, and explosions, Colby and Mia become intimate quickly while on the run from a killer who has sent goons to retrieve the package and Mia along with it.  When they arrive back at Titan HQ, Colby puts Mia in his house to keep her safe while he reports in, but through another amount of bad luck she is again put into danger and the whole Titan team has to rescue her. Sadly once they are physically out of danger, Colby begins to rethink his choices and puts his future with Mia in jeopardy.  There was just a bit too much going on and the transitions from action to intimacy and back to normalcy were a bit awkward.  I enjoyed a few of the scenes with Colby kicking ass and of course the love scenes were well-written, but overall I was never really pulled into the story.

Colby is an okay guy, extremely bossy and alpha to the extreme, but he has a softer side on occasion.  He has an interesting family life that one would think makes him seem more human, but he just seems like a tough-guy who’s playing at being a family guy, there was too much discomfort in his familial and intimate interactions.  I will say he was passionate in all things he did, but I wanted so badly so many times to smack him upside the head that I could never really find myself liking him. Mia was to me an even more unlikable character.  She was extremely flighty, thoughtless, and weak minded.  She dives right into a sexual relationship with a guy that she’s known all of twenty-four hours and has been fighting to escape the majority of that time? Yeah a bit hard for me to believe.  When they did finally start to build a more emotional connection, she immediately starts pulling back, unwilling to let him past her walls and starts questioning her choices. And then when there is danger all around she decides to question the more experienced fighters and try to throw herself into danger, which puts her too close to the TSTL category of heroine for me.

I have read a lot of stories similar to this one, with danger and battles lurking in the love stories, but this one was not one of my favorites.  My biggest issue was how Colby kept putting Mia into danger and then having to rescue her while she in turn got pissy and made stupid decisions that put them both in danger.  At one point I just had to put the book down because Colby was making too many mistakes.  Being from a military family and a student of tactics I can say that Colby and his team made so many mistakes that I don’t really know how they didn’t all end up dead.  Though the plot had a great back-story and could have gone far there was too much ineptness for me on the parts of all the characters.

Overall I was a tad confounded with this first novel in the Titan series. While I enjoyed the overall direction the plot took, the finer details were disappointing for me and I wish there had been more romance and less fighting.  Colby and Mia formed a strange connection that never seemed deep enough to me until in the end they admit their undying love.  The bad guys were many and varied and watching Colby battle them to protect Mia had its interesting and funny moments. This series looks to be very promising, but I’m reserving judgement on the rest of the stories until I can read them, though I will say I did like many of Colby’s teammates. I wish I had enjoyed this story more, but I just never got pulled in and didn't really form a connection to any of the characters like I normally would.  I hope to enjoy Garrison’s Creed more and look forward to reading it. 

Rating: 3 stars

Rose Rating:   

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

ARC Review: Assassin's Touch

Assassin's Touch (Iron Portal #1)

by Laurie London 

Blurb:

Two worlds. Two enemies.

 Haunted by loss, Cascadian assassin Rickert D’Angelus is on a mission of vengeance. Determined to stop the Pacifican army from finding a portal to his world, he leads a group of warriors into New Seattle with one goal—to kill all Pacifican soldiers.

Neyla Trihorn had the perfect life until a deadly accident revealed her latent para-abilities. Now, the former fashion designer is the Pacifican army’s hottest commodity in their fight against the invaders.

When Rickert discovers a beautiful, unconscious soldier on a cold mountain ledge near the portal, he realizes she’s a Protection-Talent and cannot be killed. To prevent the army from using her skills again, he takes her as his prisoner instead.

One fated touch…

But when he pulls her into his arms, a sexy and compelling vision appears, awakening something inside him. Something he can’t ignore.

Torn between duty and passion, Rickert must decide if the vision is a Talent trick designed to foil the enemy or the answer to his deepest desires...

Review:

 Well I’m just not really sure where to start with this story.   The first story in the Iron Portal series certainly had its high points and a few low points, but overall was a great beginning to an all new series set in a strange alternate reality with some interesting twists and turns.  Laurie London also writes one of my favorite vampire series, the Sweetblood series, so when I saw her branching out I was very excited, though certainly a bit skeptical about this new world.  With vivid world building, heart-wrenching betrayals, frequent action and a love story between two deeply connected individuals Assassin’s Touch was one of those stories that will touch your heart and pull you into the characters' lives from start to finish. Can’t wait to find out more about these two worlds and the individuals that make it unique while keeping familiar enough to remind you that all humans are the same at the core, with the free will to choose what they will be—good or evil.

Our story revolves around the warring factions of two worlds separated only by a magical portal.  Neyla is a woman that has been conscripted into the army, forced to use her protection-talent to aid the Pacifican army in its battles against the Cascadian soldiers that venture into their world.  The Cascadians caused an accident that brought her para-abilities to the notice of the army (or so she’s led to believe) and she was forced out of her life and into a life she doesn’t want to lead and onto a team where no one really respects her or wants her around.  When she is injured on assignment and found by a Cascadian military leader, her life changes forever.  Rickert has never felt a connection to another woman like he feels for the little soldier he discovers near death on the enemy’s side of the portal, but he’s determined to put her to good use.  Dragging her across the portal and into his world he begins to learn more and more about Neyla, while sharing information with her that turns her world upside down and challenges all her beliefs.  But when the enemy travels to Cascadia to retrieve Neyla and enact some very frightening evil plans, Neyla and Rickert must put aside their differences and work together if they are to ever have a chance to be together and conquer the real evil in their worlds.

From the second Rickert touches Neyla the passion he feels for her complicates his life and challenges all his long held beliefs.  Rickert is a tortured hero for sure; an alpha military leader on a quest of vengeance, he never imagined that a mere slip of a woman could come between him and his agenda in this war.  His passions run high only where Neyla is concerned and the protectiveness he feels toward her is even more confusing to him than the desire.  But when he learns the true nature of this compassionate, sweet and naïve woman, he cannot help but fall in love.  Neyla is different; she lived the majority of her life following her dreams and keeping herself away from danger, until a freak accident makes it impossible for her to be what she once was.  Adapting to her changed life, or trying to anyway, Neyla tries to make the best of her situation.  Being the brunt of most of her comrades’ jokes and the scapegoat for their anger puts her in some awkward positions.  She only really comes alive when she travels to Rickert’s world and finds herself surrounded by the laughter and beauty that has long been removed from her life.   Though she resists the changes to her life initially, when she begins to trust Rickert and he opens her eyes to the truth about their worlds and the war, she finds her place in the world and makes her stand, saving the day in the end.

This was a great new series that I am really looking forward to seeing more soon.  Rickert and Neyla were a great combination of strength and vulnerabilities, coming together in a blazing passion and inevitable destiny that was both heartwarming and exciting to experience.  The world building was full of vivid descriptions, imagery, and mythology, which I enjoyed immensely and will look forward to delving into more deeply.  Can’t wait to find out more about Asher in the next book, Rogue’s Passion and hope I don’t have too long of a wait for it! Another great series, Laurie, and I’m glad you took the time to take on us this journey to another world of your imagination.

Rating: 3.5 stars

Rose Rating:  

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

ARC Mini-Review: Red Hot Dragon

Red Hot Dragon (Dragon Heat #2)

by Lolita Lopez

Blurb:

Griffin Cadogan is shocked to see Avani Monroe, sworn enemy of his dragon family, walk into his gym. With his mating phase soon approaching, Griffin is curious as to why she has to come enemy territory knowing the risks. Not only does she surprise Griffin and his cousin, Mad, by coming to enemy territory, but what she wants is borderline insane-Griffin must help her have a baby.

After her mother's line was annihilated by the Knights, Avani accepted her duty to ensure the continuation of their unique dragon breed. She's searched the dragon registries and Griffin is the most likely candidate for her crazy plan. Working up the courage to approach a man who considers her an enemy wasn't easy but she manages to calmly lay out her carefully orchestrated plan.

But Griffin isn't about to agree to her harsh terms. If she wants him to father her child, he intends to play an active role in his offspring's life, not simply walk away as she requires. Shocked by her instant attraction to him, she agrees to his terms. Once together, they realize their connection is about more than creating a child, but that happiness is short-lived when Mad suddenly disappears. Knowing the dragon slayers are behind it, Griffin must risk it all to save the ones he loves.

Review:

The second book in the Dragon Heat series was a good read, but I was a bit disappointed.  Reading the blurb for this story I had a great expectation for a wonderful story, but I wasn’t as thrilled with the way the romance unfolded and how the couple came together.  While there were some interesting action moments and certainly plenty of sexy scenes between Griffin and Avani, I found the emotion of the romance to be a bit lacking—or perhaps superficial is the best way to describe it.  I will continue this series because the premise is engaging and the stories are well written, but I continue to hope for something a bit longer, allowing for the deeper emotions to develop.

The story revolves around Avani's life-changing decision to continue her species by seeking out a genetic match to father a child with her.  She has no desire for a mate or partner and presents the entire situation to Griffin as a business arrangement.  Though he initially resists the idea, his own desire for family leads him to accept her proposal with a few caveats—he will not give up rights to their baby.  With some of the issues unresolved, they sequester themselves in Avani's underground lair and let the mating heat they are both experiencing led where it may.  Only as they spend more time together, both of them begin to question their determination to remain apart and decide to give their relationship a chance beyond slaking their lust and accomplishing their goal.

When Avani and Griffin come together it is definitely erotic and heated.  The passion between them is nothing to dismiss and they certainly go at each other with a lusty determination.  There are certainly moments that I needed a cold drink just to allow me to keep reading, but I didn’t feel much of an emotional connection between them, until suddenly there it was.  There didn’t seem to be much of a development of their love; they just went from an intense attraction to each other to being in love and deciding to mate for life. I would have liked a bit more time for love to grow or at least allowing us to experience that growth as there was a large time gap in the story, but overall they were sexy enough for me to accept the sudden changes.

In the end, this story was a short, hot read to fill a cool fall evening.  With all the action of dragon battles, sexiness of two dragons in heat, and the happy ending I look for, Red Hot Dragon was a well written and heated erotic novella.   Griffin and Avani were interesting characters with depth and intelligence, perfectly matched and able to come together in love once they stopped letting old fears hold them back. Though the emotional connection was a bit abrupt for my preference, I can see that the couple was meant to be and the love was certainly there in the end.  Overall I can say this was a good read and well worth getting lost in for a few hours.   It was also interesting to get to see some of the characters I loved in the previous story in the series and learn more about them.  I am looking forward to finding out what will come next in the Dragon Heat Series. 

Rating: 3 stars

Rose Rating:  

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

ARC Review: Darkness Rises

Darkness Rises (Immortal Guardians #4)

by Dianne Duvall

Blurb:

Krysta is used to getting the drop on vampires. Her "special abilities" aren't much, but the plan is simple—she plays helpless pretty young thing to lure them in. Then her shoto swords come out and it's bye-bye, bloodsucker. Until one night she finds herself with an unexpected ally. He's a vampire, all right, but different. Mysterious. Handsome. And more interested in saving her skin than draining it.

Étienne has been an Immortal Guardian for two hundred years—long enough to know that Krysta is special. He can't stop thinking about her long legs, even more than her short swords. Then he discovers the vamps she's exterminating have friends in high places, and the Guardians are in danger, too. He'll have to accept Krysta's help to save them. The stakes for a mortal are high. But the cost to his heart might be higher . . .

Review:

Wow this book was beyond all expectations!  I have been looking forward to this novel almost since I finished the last one, mainly because the heroes were brothers, French and hot as hell—how can you beat that?! Dianne did not in any way let me down.  With a dazzling warrior woman meeting her match in a sweet, but sexy French immortal, Darkness Rises has twists, turns, and traps at the turn of every page and you never know what to expect next. The Immortal Guardians are a great group and their stories always do them a great justice and I cannot wait to find out who Dianne’s next victim—oops I mean hero will be.  If you haven’t read the others in the series you may not enjoy the series as much as others who are immersed in these people’s lives, but by no means will you be lost or feel lacking if you just read this novel. 

Étienne’s life changes for him from the first word of this novel.   When he’s out hunting he is stunned to find another hunter on his turf, but not any type of hunter he would have ever expected. Krysta is a mortal, but damn if she doesn’t hold her own as she battles her way through the group of vampires she’s lured in.  Until another group comes onto the scene and he cannot leave her to die.  By rescuing her he puts into motion something he never would have imagined.  Both Krysta and Étienne are immediately attracted to each other but both are wary of trusting the other.  As their unlikely attraction leads them into an interesting partnership, their desires become more complicated and they have to face the fact that some things are inevitable.  When Krysta is pulled entirely into Étienne’s world their friendship quickly develops into a deeper need and when Krysta makes a life changing decision, they are forced to ask themselves if they are willing to let go of all their expectations and fine happiness together? And can they handle all the changes in their lives when an old enemy resurfaces and puts the lives of all the Immortals and their Seconds in danger?

Krysta is one of my favorite female characters in a long time.  She is strong willed and physically able to kick some serious vampire ass. She has been fighting and killing vampires using her special gift for years, ever since she was attacked by a group of vampires and faced with a great loss.  Her gift has served her well, making it easier than most humans for her to fight the vampires, and her strong will has made her unwilling to give up her mission, even as she is having greater difficulty and finds herself injured more than she once was. Finding out that her mission objective has been skewed from the very beginning rocks her solid foundations, but she rolls with the punches and isn't so stubborn that she denies the truths that are presented to her. Krysta is perfectly matched by Étienne.  He is sexy of course, but his best feature is his understanding and compassionate nature.   Once he learns the truth about Krysta and her goals, he is determined to keep her safe and ensure that she doesn’t have to give up her mission, but doesn’t endanger herself and those around her. He has always seemed to me to be a serious kind of guy, loyal to his family (both immediate and extended) and serious about his work, so it is nice to see Krysta lighten his heart and bring a bright spark of joy to his life.

Sometimes I find myself wishing that the H/H would slow down their overly speedy relationships, giving it more of a realistic feel;  Krysta and Étienne fulfilled my wish.  Though their attraction was obvious from their first meeting, they wait until the trust has built between them and they can come together in more than just immediate lust.  By waiting we get to see them develop a deeper and more emotional bond, before things get physical.  However, when they do jump into that side of their relationship there is certainly no lack of fireworks.  They are inventive, passionate and joyous in their time together, showing us the lighter side of the lives of the immortal warriors that are protecting our world from insane vampires. Seeing Krysta and Étienne fall in love as they face the dangers of battles, deceptions and betrayals, was amazing.  I certainly don’t know that I would have been able to put aside all the craziness around me to find true love.

While I have loved all the previous books in this series, for many reasons Darkness Rises struck a special cord in my heart.  Maybe it was the immensely entertaining Krysta with the irreverent sarcasm and deep loyalty to her loved ones or perhaps it was Étienne and how he embraces the changes that Krysta brings to his life with such dignity.  Whatever it was, I can guarantee I’ll be reading this one again and again for years to come.  Étienne and Krysta are a perfect match, with strong senses of duty, deep emotional ties to their families, and the determination to not let something as special as their unexpected love pass them by.  The return of an old enemy certainly throws the team for a loop, and their battles are well written, action packed, and a testament to the author's in-depth understanding of battles and battle tactics.   I was surprised and thrilled with the little plot turns right up until the very last page and am dying to find out what’s going to happen next in this series.  I have greatly enjoyed this series from the beginning, with each individual novel bringing more unexpected greatness to the overall plot arc and introducing great new characters for me to fall in love with.  If you haven’t read any stories in this series I recommend you go out and buy one of the books(or all of them) right now and immerse yourself in the world of the Immortal Guardians with me.  Looking forward to what’s next and HOPING the next book will bring Lisette together with her perfect match too.

Rating: 4.5 stars

Rose Rating:  

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

Blessed Mabon and Happy Autumn Equinox to all!

For many of you this day will pass without any too much celebration, but for many Pagans and individuals that have a seasonal based religion today is a very important day.  Marking the midpoint between summer and winter the Autumnal Equinox is the time when night and day are equal again and signifies the change from summer to winter.  It also signifies the aging and end that is approaching on earth which will be final in winter, and will eventually circle back in a rebirth.  

I look at this time of year as the time to wrap up loose ends and think about all the changes that have come the past year.  This year that will be very important for me and it has been  a rough time for me lately and I look forward to putting the past eleven months behind me so that when the new year begins, on Samhain (Oct 31^st), I can be ready to embrace what the new year will hold for me.

Mabon, (pronounced MAY-bun, MAY-bone, MAH-boon, or MAH-bawn) is the Autumn Equinox. The Autumn Equinox divides the day and night equally, and we all take a moment to pay our respects to the impending dark. We also give thanks to the waning sunlight, as we store our harvest of this year's crops. The Druids call this celebration, Mea'n Fo'mhair, and honor the The Green Man, the God of the Forest, by offering libations to trees. Offerings of ciders, wines, herbs and fertilizer are appropriate at this time. Wiccans celebrate the aging Goddess as she passes from Mother to Crone, and her consort the God as he prepares for death and re-birth.  

< http://wicca.com/celtic/akasha/mabon.htm>

So I wish you all a happy final harvest and if you want more info about Mabon please check out some of the links below and learn more.  Knowledge is power after all.

http://wicca.com/celtic/akasha/mabon.htm
http://paganwiccan.about.com/od/mabontheautumnequinox/a/AllAboutMabon.htm
http://www.twopagans.com/holiday/Mabon.html
http://www.thewhitegoddess.co.uk/the_wheel_of_the_year/mabon_-_autumn_equinox.asp
http://www.witchvox.com/va/dt_va.html?a=usxx&c=holidays&sc=mabon&id=1990

To share my blessings with you I am going to share a few of my favorite Mabon recipes! Give some a try and I hope you enjoy.

Apple Walnut Coffee Cake

2 ½ cup all-purpose flour

1 ½ cup brown sugar, packed

¾ cup butter, softened

1 cup chopped walnuts, toasted

1 tsp. baking soda

1 tsp cinnamon

½ tsp salt

1 egg

¾ cup sour cream

1 tsp vanilla

2 apples, cored, peeled and chopped

Combine flour, brown sugar, and butter with a fork until crumbly; stir in nuts.   Divide mixture in half.  Press one half into the bottom of a buttered 9 ½” springform baking pan to form crust; set aside.  Add baking soda, cinnamon and salt to remaining crumb mixture; mix well.  Make a well in the center; set aside.  Beat egg with sour cream and vanilla in a small bowl until smooth; add to flour mixture, stirring until just combined.  Fold in apples; spread batter evenly over crust. 

Bake at 375* for one hour and 20 minutes or until cake tests done; cool in pan on a wire rack.  Makes 12 servings. 

Autumn Tossed Salad

1/2 cup lemon juice

1/2 cup sugar

2 teaspoons finely chopped onion

1 teaspoon Dijon mustard

1/2 teaspoon salt

2/3 cup vegetable oil

1 tablespoon poppy seeds (optional)

1 bunch romaine, torn

1 cup (4 ounces) shredded Swiss cheese

1 cup unsalted cashews

1 medium apple, chopped

1 medium pear, chopped

1/4 cup dried cranberries

In a blender, combine the lemon juice, sugar, onion, mustard and salt. While processing, gradually add oil in a steady stream. Stir in poppy seeds. Transfer to a small pitcher or bowl. Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour or until chilled.

In a large salad bowl, combine the romaine, cheese, cashews, apple, pear and cranberries. Drizzle with dressing and toss to coat. Makes 10 servings.

Autumn Beef Stew

1 tablespoon vegetable oil

1 1/2 pounds stewing beef

1/2 cup chopped onion

1/2 cup sliced celery

3 cups beef broth

2 carrots

2 medium potatoes

1/2 cup baby lima beans

1 cup apple juice

1/2 cup frozen corn kernels

1 jar (12 ounces) small white onions, drained, or about 1 dozen frozen, thawed

salt and pepper, to taste

2 tablespoons flour

2 tablespoons cold water

In a large saucepan or Dutch oven over medium heat, brown the beef in the vegetable oil; add onion and celery and sauté for 3 to 5 minutes longer. Add beef broth and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 1 to 1 1/2 hours. Add the carrots, potatoes, lima beans, and apple juice; simmer for about 30 to 40 minute longer, or until vegetables are tender. Add drained onions and corn; continue cooking for 5 to 10 minutes.

In a small bowl or cup, combine flour with cold water until smooth. Add the mixture to the simmering broth, a little at a time, until stew is thickened. Taste and add salt and pepper.

Serve with hot buttered biscuits or cornmeal.

Serves 4 to 6.

Blessed Be,

Michelle

The Romance Witch