Review: Oliver's Hunger

Oliver's Hunger by Tina Folsom

My rating: 3 of 5 stars



For those readers who are familiar with the Scansguards Vampires, Oliver’s book has been a long time coming. I was really glad to dig into this one, but was left wanting so much more! I’m sure that you could probably get away with reading this as a standalone, but it really would help to read this series in order.

Oliver was a human in the previous installments of this series. During Quinn’s book, in order to save his life, he was transformed into a vampire and has been struggling with his blood hunger ever since. Ursula is a woman with some type of special blood (we never really find out for sure why or what makes her different). She’s been kidnapped and sold as a type of “blood whore” for years. During her escape, she encounters Oliver and the story takes off from there.

I have to say, Oliver really comes off as a petulant child for a lot of this story. He’s yelling and stomping his foot, arguing with his family and friends; essentially he was trying really hard to alienate himself from the people that meant so much to him in the previous books. It was sad to watch and made it hard to read at points. I just wanted to shake him and tell him to look at what he’s really got going for him. Unfortunately, Oliver acts like a sort of blood junkie, which has him making bad decisions left and right. Ursula is really a gift to him. Through their relationship/bond, Oliver is finally able to grow as a character. They balance one another really well, although I feel like Ursula got the short end of the stick here.

Overall, this was a necessary book because readers will have no doubt grown attached to Oliver along the way. The pairing and overall story, though, was a little tough at times. This was still a good read, but just not as fully developed as I expected. That won’t stop me from reading the rest of the series, though, especially since Thomas is next.




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Review: Temptation in Shadows

Temptation in Shadows by Gena Showalter

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



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

This short read was a sexy, exciting, and action-filled romance that gave us a glimpse into a new and exciting world. There are government conspiracies, people with psychic (or paranormal) abilities, and evil doctors meddling with unsuspecting teens.

Gabby is one such teen that found her brain “changed” after her time with an evil doctor. She’s now got the ability to download digital data from any device in range, straight to her brain. This, obviously, seems like an ability everyone would want to use (for good and evil). Now caught between the bad guys and the good guys, Gabby is forced to choose wisely. Of course, there’s the added bonus in the form of Sean, a “gifted” individual who can control the shadows around him. He’s also super-hot and completely obsessed with her. Their chemistry was amazing from the first chapter, and we even get a nice little HEA out of it.

I wish there was even more of this world that I could devour, because this short read just wasn’t enough. If you’re looking for something quick and yummy, this is definitely worth a read. I’d especially recommend it if you’ve never read this author before. It’s a good intro to the great writing style and storytelling you can expect from the rest of her books.




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Review: Fractured Moon

Fractured Moon by E.R. Pierce

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



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

As a start to a new series, this book certainly delivered. I eagerly tore through chapters to see where all of these new and interesting (and mysterious) characters ended up. The story was rich with sizzling chemistry, family dynamics, shifter drama, jealousy, and some dark twists and turns. There’s some resolution, but it also left me wanting more, which means this series will immediately be added to my “to-read” list.

Aurelia is a broken shifter. She’s never been able to shift “all the way” which has left her with fragile self-esteem and some paranoia about men who want her (assuming they just want to sleep with “the freak”). A chance meeting between her and a sexy alpha ends up pulling her into some unwanted shifter drama a year after the fact, thus setting off a series of events that does not end too well for poor Aurelia. Luckily, her sexy alpha, Ceithin, might be something more than a simple admirer. Throw in a stalker, some betrayal, some truly scorching sexy times, and you’ve got the general idea of how this book sucked me in.

This book does veer a little dark at times, but the events are relatively glossed over and made up for in the huge amount of love found in there. Whether it is romantic love, friendship love, or fated mates type love, there is plenty to go around. The characters and dialogue had me smiling most of the time. Their entertaining and comfortable banter left you with a good feeling about where this series will go. I can’t wait to see more in this world and hope that Aurelia gets some more goodness to balance the badness she had to endure to get there.




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Review: Just Desserts

Just Desserts by Tawdra Kandle

My rating: 5 of 5 stars



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

If you’re looking for a fun, romantic read that sizzles off the page, look no further! This follow-up to the wonderfully written Best Served Cold is so much more than a companion piece. The story shows Ava’s perspective to the Jules/Liam debacle and just continues to build from there. This author never ceases to amaze me with her ability to turn the “bad guy” into someone I find myself rooting for.

In Best Served Cold, we meet Liam through the eyes of Jules. He broke up with her in the worst possible way, which resulted in her and her roommate, Ava, hatching a plan to get the ultimate revenge. During the execution of this plan, Ava ends up becoming the focus of Liam and this story just grows from there. So, you’re probably in the same boat I was in if you’ve already met Liam – how on earth could I possible want Ava and Liam to be the focus of a romance book? He really messed with Jules and we hate him, right? Well, somehow, a little bit at a time, Liam starts to grow from the one dimensional “bad guy” into a really misunderstood character. I don’t know how it happens, or when it happens, but suddenly I found myself yelling at Ava for being so suspicious or hesitant. Amazing, but totally true. This author works some magic in the pages of this book that I can’t even begin to comprehend.

I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the sizzling chemistry in this book. Liam and Ava light up the pages, even when she’s fighting her attraction to him with all she’s got. There’s a good balance between sexy times and romance that will keep readers of all types addicted. The amount of heart and “real life” in these stories hooked me from the first page. These books are really fun, quick, and surprising reads that have converted an exclusively paranormal romance reader into one that can take a chance on romance with absolutely no paranormal elements in it. Take a chance on this series and you won’t be disappointed!




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Review: Hunger for You

Hunger for You by A.C. Arthur

My rating: 3 of 5 stars



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

This book can definitely be read as a standalone or (as I did) without having caught up on the previous books in the series. It was a quick, fated mates, sexy read that veers a little darker than your typical paranormal romance.

Caleb is a half breed shifter with a broken past who has always been a loner. After moving into town, he finds himself drawn to a waitress, Zoe. Zoe is a bit broken herself. She was raised in an abusive home and somehow finds she has trapped herself in an abusive relationship with Dex. After fighting the “rescue” that Caleb tries to offer, she still manages to get herself wrapped up in rogue shifter battles.

There is sizzle and chemistry as to be expected in a fated mates type of paranormal read. The fact that the two of them come from abusive pasts seems to only make their connection that much stronger. This series has shown itself to be a guaranteed quick and sexy read with a slightly different spin on shifters.




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Review: Stormfront

Stormfront by K.R. Conway

My rating: 5 of 5 stars



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

Wow – these books are such a treat to read! It’s really refreshing to dive into a book that has a great blend of romance, sizzle, action, and intrigue. I can’t recommend these books (and this author) enough. Even if you’re not a fan of paranormal romance, there’s enough mystery and plot to entertain a wide audience.

To start, you should read these books in order. This installment begins where the previous one left off with minimal recap. Eila, Raef, MJ, Ana, and Kian are still on a mission to unlock the secrets of Elizabeth’s past all while trying to hold on to their present. The characters in this book continue to be my favorite part. They are so relatable, entertaining, and “real” that you’re instantly drawn in and find yourself desperate to know what happens next to this crew. Yes, there is YA drama and romance, but it was done in such a way that it would appeal to any age reader out there. There are silly scenes where Eila and Ana just get to be teens and then there are the tougher, more grown-up situations where they are forced to make tough decisions.

The overall plot revolved around Eila’s quest to become more self-sufficient with her powers. This quest hinged on the need to unlock the diary that they all hope contains the answers they’re looking for. Of course, nothing ever goes as planned so there are a lot of detours along the way. We see the growth of Eila and Raef’s relationship, Raef and Kian struggling to balance what they are with what they’d like to be, and the further development of Kian and Ana’s relationship. MJ shouldn’t be forgotten either, since he’s the source of a lot of entertainment (and protection) along the way.

From the beginning of the book to the end, I was in love with this book. There were no slow parts or lulls in the action, romance, or mystery. At every turn, this book kept me glued to the page and 100% addicted. The writing style was easy and engaging, which made it easy to tear through the book at warp speed. If you’re looking for a wonderfully creative and unique read, look no further than the Undertow series.




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Review: Angel of Syn

Angel of Syn by Mertianna Georgia

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



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

This book picked up right after the first one left off. Cara is still as danger prone as before (maybe even more so) and all the men she has gotten involved with are just as yummy.

The main difference between the first and second is a definite focus on the action and turmoil. There is some near-rape scenes that didn't sit right with me, but the character development is really starting to get interesting.

I can't wait to see where Cara, Roman, Azreal, and Tom end up in the next book! Will we see some wolfiness? Will even more madness ensue?

Maybe everyone can just go on vacation together and I will get to stop worrying about all the danger these characters are perpetually in? The action is seriously non-stop!



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