Monthly Archives: April 2012

HUNTERS: Book #3–Byron & Kit by Shiloh Walker (a review)

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HUNTERS:  Book #3 Byron &bKit by Shiloh Walker

HUNTERS: Book #3-Byron and Kit (re-issue )

HUNTERS: Byron and Kit is another re-issue from author Shiloh Walker’s Hunter series of novels. Byron is a master vampire introduced previously in Eli and Sarel’s storyline. Shiloh is hoping to re-issue her entire Hunter series in ebook format in 2012.

Byron was entrusted with the life of the young ‘were’ female-Kit. When her father was discovered dying from a combination of poison and silver-tipped bullets, Byron was told that Kit “will want what she wants”. Ignoring the ramblings of his dying friend, Byron pledged to raise the young female wolf-pup as his own and give her everything she wants and needs. Little did he realize that when Kit grew-up, she would want Byron as her mate.

Kit was raised and educated by the best. But there was only one thing missing in her life- her soul mate. Although Kit knew that Byron was her soul-mate, she couldn’t forget the sounds of the numerous sexual encounters and trios that Byron did partake of. But a note, supposedly sent by Byron, to come to the office, would reveal more to Kit and Byron than either had anticipated or known. Set up to ‘see’ Byron with one of his human female companions, Kit would suffer rejection when Byron wasn’t able to recognize that Kit was his mate.

Sending Kit away for two-years, seemed to be a viable option for Byron. Hoping that she would forget about his sexual appetite and what she witnessed in the office, Byron tells Kit, that she must leave-visit her ancestral home in Paris. But the ruse to send Kit away, would only add further injury and pain to both their prides, and Kit is willing and determined to prove to Byron, that she is exactly what he wants and needs. When Byron becomes insistent, Kit feels the rejection down to her soul, and seeks solace and shelter with one of the Council members. It is only then that Byron realizes that sending Kit away was a terrible mistake.

HUNTERS: Byron and Kit is the 3rd storyline in Shiloh Walker’s Hunter series. The early books are erotic, paranormal fantasy stories with explicit sexual encounters. The Hunter series involves vampires, werewolves, witches and other supernatural beings. And in most cases, the previous characters will continue to surface throughout the many different storylines. If you have never had the chance to read Shiloh Walker’s Hunter series, now is the chance with the ebook release of the series.

Reviewed by Sandy

HUNTER’S CHOICE by Shiloh Walker

HUNTER’S CHOICE is a stand-alone novella in the Hunters series by Shiloh Walker. Found in the Mammoth Book of Vampire Romance, Hunter’s Choice is a short story of revenge, love and betrayal.

Sara was on a mission. It had been one year since her twin brother Joseph and his wife were found murdered and Sara wanted revenge. Armed with a cross-bow and handgun, Sara would ensure no others would be bled dry by a blood-sucking vampire. Hoping to prevent another victim, Sara took aim at the figure deep in the dark alley.

Wyatt knew he had made a critical error when the woman he was sent to protect became his lover. Remembering everything about Sara-the way she moved, she smelled and tasted, beckoned his vampire heart. Sara was grieving for the loss of her twin, and no amount of sex was going to prevent the sorrow and revenge. But a year of following and protecting Sara from herself was going to end this night. He would have to reveal his true identity to the woman he had fallen in love (with), to protect the life of another innocent vampire. But first he had to stop her from killing.

Hunter’s Choice is a quick read. A short story written in the style of the Hunters series, but one that is considered a stand-alone novel. A woman who seeks revenge for the murder of her brother, only to find that the man who was once her lover, may be the enemy she seeks. A welcome bonus to the Hunter series.

Reviewed by Sandy

CURRENTLY AVAILABLE IN ebook Format
Hunters: Declan and Tori (Book 1)
Hunters: Eli and Sarel (Book 2)
Hunters: Byron and Kit (Book 3)
Hunters: Jonathan and Lori (Book 4)

 

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Jessica Andersen Biography & Bibliography

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Jessica Andersen Biography & Bibliography

Though we have our interview with Jess tomorrow, below is a great biography direct from her website.  Enjoy!

Hi all, and thanks for being interested in learning a bit about little old me.

Hm… where to start? Well, I’ve lived in New England all my life, growing up in Massachusetts and spending the past decade or so in eastern Connecticut. As a kid, I survived the 80s with no lasting scars aside from a few photos of me with spiked hair and a rat tail (and no, I’m so not posting those). During the 90s, I did a double stint at Tufts University for an undergraduate biology degree and a PhD in genetics, with a year-long break in between that can best be described as: “I don’t know what I want to be when I grow up; I think I’ll do some landscaping”… followed by “um, okay; I think I’ll go back to school now.”

During grad school and for a year after, I worked at the New England Eye Center, helping search for the genetic mutations that cause glaucoma. It was very cool work, but I liked the scientific writing more than the labwork. It wasn’t until the committee head complimented my doctoral thesis by saying it “read like a mystery novel” that I admitted I was… um… writing a romantic suspense novel in my free time. A year later, I left the lab and spent the next while freelancing as a scientific editor and riding instructor while I worked on getting my writing career off the ground.

Released in October of ’03, my first Harlequin Intrigue, Dr. Bodyguard, was an RT Top Pick and kicked off a string of science-themed romantic intrigues that have hit the category bestseller lists and been nominated for Reviewers’ Choice and RITA awards. While writing the Intrigues, I kept honing my craft and submitting new ideas, hoping to make the jump from category to single title success.

I love learning about new things and rediscovering old interests- that’s the researcher in me, I suppose. So one day while I was working on a story idea, I came across a reference to Aztec serpent worship, had an ‘ooh, shiny!’ moment, and followed where the information flow led me… straight to a mention of how the Mayan calendar will end on December 21, 2012. Thus was born the Nightkeepers, and an exciting new direction in my writing!

The first of them, Nightkeepers, was a June 2008 release, and kicked off an eight-book (plus one novella) series about the modern-day magic wielders destined to save mankind from the 2012 doomsday. With appearances on various national bestseller lists, including the NY Times list, the Nightkeeper novels have been an awesome ride! Keep your eyes open for the last two of the Nightkeeper books, coming in April and November 2012.

In late 2011, I ventured into the world of Harlequin Nocturne with Royal House of Shadows: Lord of the Wolfyn, which is part of a four-book miniseries with super-authors Nalini Singh, Gena Showalter and Jill Munroe … and in 2013, be on the lookout for the start of an exciting new series!!

Bibliography

The Nightkeepers

Night Keepers
Dawn Keepers
Sky Keepers
Demon Keepers
Blood Spells
Storm Kissed
Magic Unchained
Spellfire (November 2012)

Intrigue

Bear Claw Lawman
Bear Claw Bodyguard

Harlequin Intrigues

Dr. Bodyguard
Secret Witness
Intensive Care
Body Search
Covert M.D.
The Sheriff’s Daughter
Bullseye
Ricochet
At Close Range
Rapid Fire
Red Alert
Under the Microscope
Prescription: Makeover
Classified Baby
Meet Me at Midnight

 



 

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Magic Unchained by Jessica Andersen – a Review

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Magic Unchained by Jessica Andersen – a Review

Magic Unchained is the 7th book and latest book in Jess Andersen’s Nightkeepers (Final Prophecy) series. Magic Unchained belongs to Cara and Sven, and we have been waiting for their story almost from the beginning.  I had mixed feelings going into this book, since Cara, who so wanted to be a full Nightkeeper, and hated being a Winikin (a servant to the Nightkeepers), was hardly around throughout this series, until near the end of the last book.  Sven, a coyote Nightkeeper, has been with us, but somewhat distant, but I loved when Mac, his coyote familiar became part of the story.  Because of their history, her hidden love of Sven, and the fact that a Mage and Winikin pairing is forbidden, I wasn’t sure that this would ever work, and of course I was so wrong.  As Andersen usually does, she makes it work, and boy does she. 

I loved Cara from the start….loved her strength, determination to lead the winikins, her vulnerability; and her ability fight off her love of Sven.  Cara knew it was a lost cause, as he did not feel the same for her, and he was never there for her.  At first, I was not too crazy about Sven, and his insistence to ignore his feelings for Cara, and always running away. But when he opens himself up, that totally changes and I ended up loving him.  Wow…their first mating was awesome.  I have always said, Andersen has a wonderful personal touch to her steamy sex scenes, and that was hot. I also loved loved Mac, and his ability to mind talk to Sven, and even to Cara.  A very nice touch.

Dez is back, as he is the King, and it is only a short time to equinox.  The Nightkeepers need help to fight their battle against the demons.  Dez enlists Sven’s help to bring in the Winikins into their battle as warriors instead of servants to the magi, as he wants Sven to work with Cara.  Cara, who is the Winikins leader, must bring them together to help, but there is dissention within her group, as the bond between the Nightkeepers and Winikin has been split, with much anger.  It is a betrayal within the Winikins that brings Cara and Sven together, and upsets the balance that needs mending, in order for all to survive.  With the end of days near, they must all work together to have any chance to win this war, and save the world.  The question is can Sven stop running away, face up to his love for Cara, and can Cara forgive Sven….all this besides fighting together to beats the demons they have to face.

Magic Unchained was an exciting story from start to finish.  So much action, whether it was with the Winkins, the demons, the adventure to steal the artifact necessary for them to win the war, and the equinox battle.  But the romance between Cara and Sven was wonderful, and frustrating at the same time.  Everytime you think ..thank god..they are finally together, then something else happens.  But their chemistry together, their sexual scenes were always steamy, and they so belonged together.

It was nice to see Dez and Reese, and Rabbit had a big story in this book, which is leading up to the finale….the end of days is almost here.  I felt though that even if we saw some of the others, it wasn’t like the other books, where they did play a bigger part in the stories.  Hopefully, in the finale, we will get to see them all more.  Rabbit and Myrienne will be the main characters in Jess Andersen’s Spellfire coming in November, 2012. Anna will also get her closure in that book. I made a prediction in my first review of this series that I will not repeat…no spoilers.   I did not want to see this…I feared this would happen, and now with that spoiler at the end…I am sure it’s going to happen.  

Once again, Andersen does a fantastic job in keeping this series fresh, and heading to an exciting finish.  Magic Unchained had a wild and climatic ending, with a big surprise twist.  On to Spellfire, and the finale of Nightkeepers in November.  I will miss them all.  But having loved this series, and love love Jess Andersen’s writing..I will always follow whatever else she comes up with in the future. 

Reviewed by Barb

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Jennifer Lyon interview with Ram Virtos

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Jennifer Lyon's interview with Ram Virtos

Jennifer: I’m so thrilled to share with you all, that I’ve released the Wing Slayer Hunter E-Novella, FORBIDDEN MAGIC. Down below I have a snippet of an
interview with Ram Virtos, the hero of the novella.

As many of you know, the publisher decided not to go forward with the Wing Slayer Hunter Series. My readers have been so amazing through this, offering support and encouragement, along with pleas for me to continue the series on my own.

With that much encouragement how could I resist? And so it’s with great pleasure that I am announcing the release of the FORBIDDEN MAGIC Novella.

And as a special thank you to my readers who have been so supportive and patient, I am pricing FORBIDDEN MAGIC at 99 cents until May 1, 2012 at Amazon, B&N and Smashwords.

Amazon: Forbidden Magic

Barnes and Noble: Forbidden Magic

Smashwords: Forbidden Magic

 

This is the second half of my interview with Ram. I’m going to have the entire interview up on my website soon! Jennifer Lyon

 

 

Ram drops into a nearby chair, stretches out his legs, raises his arms and laces his fingers behind his head. “Fine. Go.”

I…what? Staring at him, I see his t-shirt stretched tight over his chest, his biceps bulging. The man is a work of art. Lethal art to be sure, but still…he’s hot.

“Quit wasting time gawking, Lyon.”

A flush rolls over me and I sink down into a chair, trying to regain my composure. Glancing at my list, I begin with, “If you were an ordinary human being, what do you think your occupation would be?”

“If I were mortal, I’d have stayed in the SEALs. I was damn good at the job.”

Modest too. But okay, he’s right, he was good. “Next question, do you drive a car or motorcycle?”

He lifts his eyebrows. “I can drive anything, but I own a Range Rover. Motorcycles are okay, but I don’t need the flash like Phoenix.”

Seeing the glint of amusement in his eyes, I figure I’m safe to push for more. “Anything else you want to add to that?”

He shrugs. “I can pilot any helo or boat out there.” With a sly look he adds, “I have a boat, you know.”

He has a boat? Seriously? Shouldn’t I know that? Where is the boat? I look back at my notes to cover my confusion. “Uh, coffee or tea?”

“Coffee. But I’m not addicted like some people in this room. I have more self control than that.”

I ignore that swipe at me. Mostly because it’s true. “Why did you choose a thunderbird tattoo?”

His face darkens and he grinds his jaw.

Too late, I realize I was stomping all over dangerous territory.

“The bird has thunder and lighting,” he finally says. “Thunder is loud, obnoxious bragging. But the real danger? It’s the lightning you never see coming. By the time you do see it—you’re dead.”

Chill bumps scatter over my arms, and I shiver. Ram is exactly that kind of killer. He doesn’t threaten or warn, he strikes.Like lightning.

“Last question, Lyon.”

“Uh, yeah.” I scan the page, looking for something light and settle on, “Boxers or briefs?”

Ram rolls his eyes, then unlaces his fingers from behind his head, and in a fluid movement, rises from the chair. He reaches for the snap on his pants.

And undoes it.

My heart hammers, and I jump up. “What are you doing?”

He drags down the zipper. “Answering your question.” He begins to slide his pants lower. “You like to show everything in your books, right?”

“No! I mean yes, but—”

“Then I’m showing.” The pants slide a bit farther.

He can’t just drop his pants! An idea hits me. I grab the pastry box and shove it into his stomach. “Your favorite treats! Snickerdoodle cookies! From the Cooke Witch!” I’m screeching like a fourteen-year-old girl, damn it.

Then I realize what he’s doing, what Ram always does. He takes control, one way or another. He’s a very dominant man.

And lover.

No! Don’t think about Ram as a lover! I have to regain control of the situation or I’ll never be able to write his story the way it’s meant to be told.

I let go of the pastry box I have pressed against his stomach.

Ram catches it with one hand, the other hand keeping his pants on.

Barely.

I refuse to look, turn and rush out of the club. I have to write, and write fast.

And not think about Ram’s pants sliding down his hips….

(Thank you to Carla and Jennifer for giving The Reading Cafe permission to post the interview with Jennifer and Ram)

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Lord of the Wolfyn by Jessica Andersen – a review

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Lord of the Wolfyn by Jessica Andersen – a review

 

Since we are featuring Jessica Andersen through to next week, we thought we would repeat this review of her book Lord of the Wolfyn.  This was part of the Royal House of Shadows series, which 3 other authors took part of.  Enjoy!

 

 

 

Jessica Andersen’s “Lord of the Wolfyn”, is the third of four books in the Royal House of Shadows series.  As I have mentioned previously, each book of this series has somewhat of a take off on fairytale themes.  “Lord of the Wolfyn” uses Red Riding Hood and the Big Bad Wolf as it’s theme. 

Dayn is the third sibling, who was magically swept away, when his parents, the King and Queen of Elden were dying.  Dayn ends up in the Wolfyn realm, which also has connections to the human realm.  When Dayn realizes where he is, his immediate thought is to get back to Elden, to help his parents, who were under attack, when he was swept away.  But before he could do anything, he heard his father mind speak to him.  The instructions from his father were that he had to wait for a guide to come to him to lead him back to Elden.   Only when the guide comes, will he be able to return to Elden,  and at that point, he had 4 days to get back to get back, or he and all of his family will die.

20 years later, Dayn is still in the Wolfyn realm, waiting for his guide.  He has learned to live with the other Wolfyns, and has made some friends. Wolfyns in the human world are known as werewolves.  But he still has the intense need for revenge against the blood sorcerer for the murder of his parents, and possibly his brothers and sister.  Dayn has not seen or heard from any of them in 20 years.  

Reda Weston is a cop in present day human realm, who has been having a tough time recovering from the death of her partner.  She blames herself for freezing, when he was shot and killed. With her confidence gone, she becomes attached to a fairytale book that belonged to her when she was a child.  The book was a version of Red Riding Hood and when she finds this special book, Reda sees in the book about the woodsman that she has been dreaming about.  It was Reda’s mother who taught her about magic, and fairytales, before she died.  The book and any discussions of magic was taken away from her by her father after the mother died.  But now Reda begins to have dreams about her Woodsman and the Big Bad Wolf.   When she chants a spell taught her by her mother many years ago, Reda is magically swept away to the Wolfyn realm, where she sees the woodsman of her dreams.

Dayn immediately knows Reda is his guide.  However, Reda does not believe this is real, and thinks she is hallucinating, and must be dreaming.  It takes Dayn some time and danger ahead of them to convince her otherwise.  First they must fight the wolfyns to escape and head on to Elden, as Reda must be the one to lead him.  The trip traveling back was exciting, and when Reda finally comes to realization that this is real, which did take a bit too long, she begins to take control and help Dayn.  Throughout they face much danger, and the sexual tension between them was dynamic. The end was intense, both taking turns saving each other from a creature or a witch, and the black unicorn at the end was a nice touch. 

I enjoyed this story very much, and I am a big Jessica Anderson fan.  Though perhaps I would have shortened Reda stubborn blindness to where she was, I just loved the way Andersen portrayed their romance.

Reviewed by Barb

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Sherrilyn Kenyon Teaser

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Sherrilyn Kenyon Teaser

Sherrie Kenyon just posted this teaser and hints on her new Dark Hunters book, Time Untime.

The heroine is Kateri, she’s Sunshine Runningwolf’s cousin. The hero is Ren.

Talon and Sunshine return (Kateri is her cousin) and you get to meet their baby.

Cabeza (Dog of War) makes an impressive entrance.

Sasha will return, as will a few more surprises, and we’re talking BIG surprises.

Rain and Storm will also be featured. Also Jess and Zarek.

 

From Sherrie’s Site:

Original Publication Date: August 02, 2012

Setting: Las Vegas, NV

The Mayans aren’t the only ones with a 2012 prophecy…

Long before recorded history, there was a warrior so feared that everyone trembled before his wrath. Only a brutal betrayal by the one closest to him could defeat him. But not even death was the end of a man so strong.

The Time Untime approaches…

Kateri Avani has been plagued her entire life with dreams she doesn’t understand. Images of places she’s never been and of a man she’s never seen. Her quest for answers has driven her to Las Vegas where she hopes to finally silence the demons in her mind.

What she never anticipates is coming face to face with the warrior who has haunted her her entire life.

Ren Waya came back from the dead to keep the prophecy…

Reported by Marcie

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JK Rowlings Update

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JK Rowlings Update

The Casual Vacancy
Little, Brown announces details of J.K. Rowling’s first novel for adults.

When Barry Fairweather dies unexpectedly in his early forties, the little town of Pagford is left in shock.

Seemingly an English idyll, with a cobbled market square and an ancient abbey, what lies behind the pretty façade is a town at war.

Rich at war with poor, teenagers at war with their parents, wives at war with their husbands, teachers at war with their pupils…Pagford is not what it first seems.

And the empty seat left by Barry on the parish council soon becomes the catalyst for the biggest war the town has yet seen. Who will triumph in an election fraught with passion, duplicity and unexpected revelations?

Blackly comic, thought-provoking and constantly surprising, The Casual Vacancy is J.K. Rowling’s first novel for adults.

Publication date 27th September 2012 (UK & US)

More information: www.littlebrown.co.uk,
US websitewww.hachettebookgroup.com

Reported by Marcie

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FREE ebooks for Kindle & Kobo

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FREE ebooks for Kindle & Kobo

FREE ebooks for KINDLE

NOTE: At the time of posting, these ebooks were available from Amazon -FREE.

 

 

Follow the links to Amazon:

How to Distract a Duchess by Mia Marlowe
In Her Name: Empire by Michael R Hicks
Fatal Destiny by Marie Force
Shadow of the Sun: Timeless #1 by Laura Kreitzer

 

 FREE ebooks for KOBO

NOTE: At the time of posting, these ebooks were FREE for KOBO

 

Follow the links to KOBO:

The Bride and the Brute by Laurel O’Donnell
Samson’s Lovely Mortal: Scanguards Vampire #1 by Tina Folsom
The Last Killiney by J Jay Kamp
The Strange Case of Finley Jayne (YA) by Kady Cross
Shadow of the Sun: Timeless #1 by Laura Kreitzer
Fatal Destiny by Marie Force

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