Wednesday, March 18, 2015

Review: Witches


Witches
Witches by Ednah Walters

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

If you are new to this series, you should start from the beginning. It is filled with YA drama, sigh-worthy love stories, and oodles of mythology. The author really knows how to create a world so rich and diverse that even the most jaded of PNR readers get completely sucked in.

This book happens somewhat in parallel to Souls (from the Grimnirs series), only with different POVs. I would recommend making sure you read the series in order to get the full effect (and also Losing It!). That being said, we start with Raine in her Seeress/Witch/Teenage Girl glory. She’s being pushed around by annoying Norns and being forced to make a choice for a war that might not happen for a while. In typically Raine fashion, she makes her own decisions and throws them all in everyone’s face. While a lot of the action is related to this, the most compelling parts of the book were about the character relationships. At the start of the book, Raine’s dad is still fighting cancer. We watch the struggle and acceptance that goes along with it and it is just as heart wrenching as you’d expect. Torin and Raine are also struggling to figure out a path forward. They love each other, but at times it seems like their destinies are at odds with one another. Through it all, there’s the usual teenager drama, sizzling chemistry, and fun twists we’ve come to expect from this series.

If you’re looking for some truly unique world building, look no further that the Runes books. Overall, this book’s story was interesting but a slight repeat (if you’ve read Souls). The twists and turns still kept me guessing, though. I’m sad to see the sort-of end of this set of characters. They’ve come to be some of my favorites and now the series is said to focus more on the other ones. I’m excited about that too, just in a different way.




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Thursday, March 12, 2015

Review: A Curse Unbroken


A Curse Unbroken
A Curse Unbroken by Cecy Robson

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Celia and Aric are finally back together in this story! After the drama we got in the previous book, I was happy for that small favor, even if it did lead to its own type of drama.

The sisters are all dealing with some relationship drama throughout the story, but the big goal in this one is finding Shah - a wish granting rock. Oh, and it's got a personality. Of course it does! The weirdness just keeps getting weirder when everyone around Celia appears to have a short temper and act out of character. Oh, and Celia is still handling the health issues caused by losing her child.

The ending can kind of be guessed at long in advance (as can the big bad), but it still didn't stop me from enjoying every step of the way. Watching Celia "drunk," having Misha step in to support his friend, and getting the sarcasm I've come to expect from the vampires was all completely wonderful. This series keeps me coming back for more and hoping for a big HEA at the end.



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Review: Tailing Her


Tailing Her
Tailing Her by Celia Kyle

My rating: 3 of 5 stars



I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This short and dirty read is the tale of Jennifer and Brett, fated mates thrown together under some serious circumstances. Jennifer is a lawyer who is prosecuting a notorious bad guy. Brett is tasked with protecting the stubborn shifter while she dives head-first into danger. These two very independent people have to find a way to work together so that they can leverage their smoking chemistry into a serious relationship as mates.

There is a lot of sexy time, some story, and fun times to be had in this quick read.



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Review: Escape


Escape
Escape by Alisa Woods

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This story continues where we left off, with Arianna and Jak during their escape attempt. We left them both facing their alphas alone, but they are determined to get out of there tonight. Jak is unable to take the safe path and instead rushes in at full speed, gun in hand, to rescue Arianna. All of this happens in front of his own alpha and probably ruins any chance Jak could have had at returning to the pack.

Wounded and on the run, these two end up at Jak's old friend Sarra's where they try to figure out their next step. If they run for the border, what will happen to Arianna's family? If they don't run, how long will it be until their packs track them down? They are stuck in a horrible situation, made worse by Jak's only solution - turn to the witches. The ending of this is pointing us in a bad direction, but I hope Jak finds some way out of this mess before Arianna is further betrayed.



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Review: Wicked Dark Dragon


Wicked Dark Dragon
Wicked Dark Dragon by Lolita Lopez

My rating: 3 of 5 stars



I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This was a quick and sizzling installment in the Dragon Heat series that gives us the story of Ivy and Ian ("Mad"). These two have a bit of a Romeo and Juliet tale going on, with some distinctly dragon/knight twists.

Ivy was adopted when she was a baby, taken away from the dragon world that she should have been raised in so that she could have a "normal" life. She, however, was anything but normal. There's visions, powers, and a kidnapping keeping her from living her "normal" life. She's been trapped while on spring break and has been trying to use her powers to reach out to Mad. He's been feeling exhausted but cannot get this spunky woman out of his dreams. These two don't realize the repercussions of their relationship (no matter how fated).

Ivy's the daughter of two warring races and has the ability to bring down either one. Rather than wait for her to choose a side, both sides are forcing the choice on these two. There is a lot of betrayal, but there is also a lot of sizzling chemistry. This short read delivered another hot installment in this series that has me hooked.



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Review: Phoenix in My Fortune


Phoenix in My Fortune
Phoenix in My Fortune by R.L. Naquin

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Wow - what a wonderful end to a completely entertaining series. There are HEAs for everyone and all the loose ends are neatly tied up.

I fell in love with Zoey and her bunch of misfits from the first time I met them. They are all so unique and wonderfully witty that I have often found myself laughing and smiling along with them. If you haven't had a chance to check out this series, you should go back to truly appreciate this great read. We left these characters dealing with some loss, but worried about this "last hidden." They had a little reprieve, but things are changing rapidly.

Zoey and her mother are the last protectors around and they are tasked with something impossible - stop the end of the world as they know it. With little support from a system that is rebuilding, Zoey is the leader of an army of hidden that she has accumulated along the way. Their bond is unbreakable and they all support her as she marches against the end of an era. This last hidden has shown up too early, broken all the rules and appears just as confused as they are. The battle might not be as bloody as you'd expect, but there are some bittersweet losses. What would an ending be without some tears? The very end, though, is very sweet. I'm sad to see these characters go, but happy with the way it was done. Thanks for the wonderful series!



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Review: Omega


Omega
Omega by S.M. Reine

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Each time I think I'm done with this world, I keep getting sucked back in! This new series is set after the events of the previous series that essentially re-wrote the world. People who were "mundane" previously, woke up as a werewolf or a vampire or some strange and unusual "gaean species." This has, obviously, changed the world dramatically. This new world is filled with two growing factions - those who support the alpha (Rylie) and those who support a new terrorist who wants to replace the alpha (Everton). Deirdre is a foster kid who was raised in a system that couldn't really support her. She was transformed into a shifter who cannot shift (an omega).

While running from an "moon sick" wolf (doing some awesome free running on the way), she attracts the attention of Rylie and her pack. Deirdre is recruited for an undercover mission to infiltrate Everton's camp because she can easily sell the idea of wanting a new regime. She's even given a partner in crime, a big and unpredictable pack shifter. These two get into all sorts of trouble along the way, but ultimately are successful in infiltrating Everton's camp.

This book begins a really interesting new series that I can't wait to dive into. It satisfies my need for more of my favorite characters while still giving me some completely new and wonderful characters to throw into the mix. This world is completely unique and captivating, something I've come to expect from this author no matter what series I read.



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Review: Wicked Safari


Wicked Safari
Wicked Safari by Lisa Whitefern

My rating: 3 of 5 stars



I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I haven't read the first book of this series, but didn't find it hard to jump right in. This book had some sizzling M/M/F action with fae and shifter twists.

August is a researcher who is eager for experience. Her academic mentor (and fellow half-fae) offers her the opportunity to go to Africa to watch lions in the wild. Paired with Arlan (a lion shifter) and his partner Jay (a half-fae), August might have discovered her fated mates. August struggles with self esteem issues because her dark fae mother abused her for year growing up. Now, ironically, her mother is trying to force her powers to light so they can harness some evil energy. This is accomplished through some fae sex magic that everyone is trying to push onto this group of people.

Jay, unfortunately, has some issues with having a m-m relationship, but has no problem jumping right into bed with August. This couple certainly sizzles and embraces bondage along with their threesome lifestyle. There is definitely a HEA that satisfies and works well as a standalone. If you're looking for a quick and dirty read with some paranormal spins, this is a book for you.



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Review: Moon Dragon


Moon Dragon
Moon Dragon by J.R. Rain

My rating: 3 of 5 stars



OK, this book kind of threw me for a loop. The title pointed me towards the belief that there might be dragons in here (which I could be OK with). I won't spoil you, but rather than the literal dragon taking up a large part of the story, there's an even more shocking one.

This story is a bit of a balance between Samantha struggling with her single mother life (with the wonderful addition of some bling that helps her out) and a personal case. When her ex-husband's mistress shows up on her door, Sam is a much better person than I would be. She hears her out and ends up with a case that seems to be pointing to a werewolf serial killer. This case pushes Sam towards Kingsley (one of my reluctant favorites) and the ever-present Librarian.

There are some shocking revelations and some notable historical figures, but the heart of these characters is what keeps me coming back. Sam is one tough mother and she is finding her own way to use her "evil powers" for good. This series is so quick to read that I can't seem to put these books down.



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Review: Vampire Sun


Vampire Sun
Vampire Sun by J.R. Rain

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



This book felt like the end of a series to me. There were a lot of loose ends tied up and we got cameos from all our favorites of the series (the Librarian, Fang). We even get a pretty good HEA for Sam (as much as can be expected at this point). This is a really solid read.

Sam is fighting her inner demon with all she has. She's adapted over the years, but it looks like the final fight is here. Using love to fight the evil inside of her appears to be the only reason she is surviving. She and Kingsley are still in their adorable love-hate relationship, complete with sarcastic wit. She and Fang are trying to reconnect in a new way that challenges them each. Sam's bloodlust is resurfacing and she has to make some tough decisions. All of this is happening while her children continue to grieve for their father (while keeping his death a secret).

A lot changes in the end and all of it for the better. Sam is able to address some old issues and find a really wonderful path forward. The end of this book left me with warm and fuzzy feelings for everyone (even some of the previously jerky characters). I'm almost sad to open things back up again in the next book (but will read it anyway, because I love these characters!).



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Review: Moon River


Moon River
Moon River by J.R. Rain

My rating: 3 of 5 stars



This book is a pivotal book in the series. What begins as what could be a typical "Samantha helps the police solve a mystery" book ends up making some huge changes to her personal life.

We pick up with Samantha doing her best to be a good mom and and a help to the police department. She gets dragged into a case that certainly looks like vampire kills. Is it misdirection? That would make things too easy. The mystery ends up pointing in a direction I never would have guessed, bringing up some loose ends from books past.

Sam's life takes some big hits in this one that could easily end up pushing her less towards mom and more towards monster. We lose a few characters by the end of this book, but get back some that I thought were gone. I guess we'll have to see where this ends up in the next few books, because while many things happened in this book, it really just nudged characters into a new direction that will be addressed in the future. These books are quick and fun to read, but are obviously heading in some heavy directions.



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Review: Bound by Flames


Bound by Flames
Bound by Flames by Jeaniene Frost

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



This was a very difficult book to get through. The first half of the book is very different from the last half, but they both have a distinctly dark flavor. There is torture, near-rape, and a lot of abusive scenes. I found it hard to believe in this very broken couple. Vlad and Leila are certainly a confusing pair.

The start of this book shows Vlad and Leila sort of working together to track down the big bad from the previous 2 books. Leila wants to take risks to help, Vlad wants to protect her at all costs, and these two can't seem to find a way to work together. These two have a near abusive relationship that somehow ends in them having steamy sex. Through some colossally bad planning and misplaced trust, Leila ends up kidnapped (again). This storyline is starting to get old. The torture was a horrible new addition to the scene, though. It was really hard to read and even more horrible in that it took almost half the book to resolve itself.

Lucky for us, the torture ends and Vlad seems to finally become the guy I wanted him to be. Is it worth reading all the darkness from the first half of the book? Maybe. If you can stomach reading that kind of stuff, you are rewarded with some final resolution to our big bad story (but don't worry, there are more bad guys lurking to keep this series going). We also get rewarded with some cameos from our favorites from other books. There are some big spoilers if you are not caught up with Cat and Bones, so beware! Overall, I was torn between 3 and 4 stars, weighing the character growth we see versus the darkness we are subjected to. I think as long as you're warned ahead of time, it would be easier to swallow.



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Review: Chasing Tail


Chasing Tail
Chasing Tail by Celia Kyle

My rating: 3 of 5 stars



I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I love this author! You can always get exactly what you expect from her: sexy, fun, and uniquely paranormal books. If you're looking for a long read, this is not for you. It is short, sweet, and sizzling.

Penelope is a bit of an outcast in her town. After her family showed their lack of respect for her, how could the town be expected to act differently? Her only friend, the sister of the town's alpha (who is a huge jerk), is the only saving grace for the entire town. While working in the library, she finds herself face-to-face with a shifted lion determined to back her into a corner. Little does she know, Penelope is going to get more than she ever asked for.

Marcus felt compelled to shift and hunt down a town and, more importantly, his mate. Due to some supernatural happenings, their mating is not the straightforward process that it should be. Their sizzling chemistry really should be clear, but Marcus finds himself more confused than ever. Luckily, this quick read has a HEA and some nice introduction to more characters in future installments.



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Monday, March 2, 2015

Review: Beyond the Darkness


Beyond the Darkness
Beyond the Darkness by Katie Reus

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I am quickly falling in love with this series. The unique world and blend of supernaturals is so fun to read. Oh, and the sexy shifters sizzle off the page!

Keelin is enjoying her new freedom, having just awoken from her protective hibernation. She's soaking up all the new technology and trying to live life to its fullest. Bran has other ideas, though. Ever since he met the sexy dragon shifter, he can't seem to get his mind off her. He finally had to take action and show up at her doorstep. He tries (not very hard) to hide his reason for the visit behind a black ops story, but everyone around them seems to acknowledge that these two are destined to be mates. While Keelin might not be ready to give up her freedom for him, Bran is ready to do anything he can to get her as his mate.

These two are HOT HOT HOT and are even hotter when they try to protect each other from all the craziness that seems to surround them (or Keelin, really). One bonus of this story was more information about the mysterious Nyx (who Bo seems obsessed with). I really want to see where that couple ends up. Bran and Keelin are definitely one of my favorite couples of the series, but if the books keep getting better and better, I'll have to wait and see how long that lasts.



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Review: Vampires Never Cry Wolf


Vampires Never Cry Wolf
Vampires Never Cry Wolf by Sara Humphreys

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

These books are super sexy fun! If you're looking for an entertaining blend of vampires and werewolves set in a sizzling city, look no further than Vampires Never Cry Wolf.

Sadie has just recently taken over The Coven, the city's leading (and only) supernatural run nightclub. Little do the human attendees know that this hot nightclub is run by vampires and frequented by other supernaturals. The latest thorn in her side has been Killian Bane. Ever since they met, he's been living in her VIP section and watching her with an unsettling intensity. It's a well known fact that vampires and werewolves cannot mate or become bloodmates, so they have no business even getting to know one another. Chemistry, however, between these two "enemies" is off the charts hot. These two try pretty hard, but they just can't manage to stay away from each other. Even the arrival of Killian's possible future bride doesn't dim their attraction to one another.

Turns out, this pair has more in common than they think, and that manages to turn their whole supernatural world on its head. Great changes are coming in this series, and I can't wait to find out more! These stories are quick and sexy reads that keep me flipping pages at high speed.



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Review: Dead Heat


Dead Heat
Dead Heat by Patricia Briggs

My rating: 3 of 5 stars



I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This book landed somewhere between 3 and 4 stars for me. While I love Anna and Charles, this book tended to focus more on horses than the couple or the Fae storyline.

Anna and Charles are on a trip to pick out a horse for Anna's birthday. She's got some experience riding, so the trip is plausible enough, but Charles has other motivations driving him. He has to visit an old human friend who is on his way out, and he has obviously been avoiding this for some time. Of course, nothing can be "normal" for these two, so when they find out there is fae mayhem about, they dive right in. Working with some old law enforcement friends and some new, Anna and Charles work to stop an evil Fae before more children are harmed.

In the big scheme of things, this looks like the official beginning of the Fae war, which has been a few books coming (in the Mercy series too). By letting loose this bad guy, they have definitely stepped up their game and are trying to force the humans, werewolves, and pretty much anyone not Fae to fight back. It will be interesting to watch where this goes in the future and if we'll have some sort of massive crossover book coming.



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Review: The Ruby Circle


The Ruby Circle
The Ruby Circle by Richelle Mead

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



I'm not quite sure how to rate this one. It's the end of some wonderful time spent with Adrian (and Sydney) but it didn't have the fireworks that I wanted to get out of a series ending book. Don't get me wrong, the ending is satisfying and filled with happiness, but I guess I just wanted... more?

We pick up with Adrian and Sydney after their "coming out" as husband and wife in front of members of court. They've been given sanctuary, but it is really just a pretty prison (at least for Sydney). Oh, and they're living with Adrian's mom (weird). Poor Jill is still kidnapped, but I don't really think she gets a lot of focus in this book. Instead, Sydney is sent on a wild goose chase, following riddles with the help of her old witch mentor. Some old baddies come back, some family history is shockingly revealed, and we spend even more time with Adrian's ex-BFF Nina.

In the category of "things that have to get tied up in this book" we got some resolution to the Warriors, Alchemist reprogramming, Olive (who I didn't understand why we cared about until this book), Jill/Eddie, and spirit's powers. There is a good dose of "Adrian don't use spirit" thrown around that got a little tiresome, but I still am completely in love with Sydney and Adrian. Maybe I suffer from the Mulder/Scully syndrome where I am not as in love with them now that they're together, but these two are still wonderful to watch. We also get to check in with Rose and Dimitri which is also awesome. Overall, this was a good finale but lacked the kind of crazy action and excitement that some of the earlier books had. I'll continue to give 100 more of these books 4 stars just because I'm in love with this world (and Adrian). I really hope this world continues in some other way in the future.



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