Samurai Game by Christine Feehan – a Review

Samurai Game by Christine Feehan – a Review

Before I begin this review I feel I should share a little story about me and the Ghostwalkers.  This was the last of Christine Feehan’s series that I got into and it was only thanks to the urging of fellow Feehanista’s and friends I met in the Feehan Community.  When I first checked this series out I thought it sounded a little on the sci-fi side with wacky experiments and a mad scientist. That genre has never been a favourite of mine, so I decided not to read it.  However, I couldn’t have been more off base, except for the mad scientist part. 😉  To this day some of my friends from the Feehan community still bug me over those thoughts.  😉  I’m glad I finally came to my senses and listened to everyone, gave the first book a try and as they say, the rest is history.  I fell for this series hook, line and sinker.  I love me some Ghostwalkers, now lets get to the review. 

In Samurai Game, Christine brings it all for me. Action, battles, drama, suspense, intrigue, a hot romance, with a side of nutty professor thrown in to complete the recipe.  This story kept me turning page after page just wanting to find out what was happening next.  I love it when a book holds my attention so completely.

Once again our resident wacko, the nutty professor himself Dr. Whitney has his sites set on the Ghostwalkers and this time it’s Sam Johnson.  Christine brings Sam to the forefront in this story and springs Team One back into action.  Since team one is the first team I met they all hold a special place with me.  Sam being one of them.  Even though he’s been more of a background player till now, there was something that intrigued me about him.  I had a feeling there was more to this Ghostwalker and Christine didn’t disappoint.  Sam really stepped it up in his book proving he’s every bit as capable as any of the Ghostwalkers and has some pretty amazing talents.  Let’s just say I wouldn’t want to be on Sam’s bad side, or run into him in a dark alley. 

Azamai Yoshie(Thorn) is very much like Sam.  Once she’s set her sites on a mission she won’t waver from that path till she’s completed it and is satisfied with the outcome.  She’s feisty, intelligent and one hell of a fighter.  When Whitney tossed her out to the streets of Japan deeming her worthless for his continuing experiments, he was sure she’d die there.  A major miscalculation on Whitney’s part.  Instead she was found and adopted by a samurai warrior who trained her in the art of the samurai along with her two adopted brothers.  Now Azmai is making sure that Whitney pays for all he’s done to her and anyone else who’s come into contact with him.  She doesn’t want to see anyone else, especially a child used the way Whitney used her and the other girls.

As I mentioned earlier Samurai Game is packed full of action and it starts from the beginning. I liked the fact that there wasn’t a slow build up to the story, but instead got right into the action.  Someone is taking out people important to Whitney and they don’t know who it is.  I like how Christine introduces us to Azami and lets us see what she’s capable of out in the field.  This is a great lead up to Sam and Azami’s first meeting.  When they meet for the first time both Sam and Azami feel something but aren’t sure what it is.  At first they are leery about the other but soon learn it’s an ambush but unsure who the attack is against.  Both are thrown into action and are equally matched in battle skills and the more time they spend together fighting they realize there’s an attraction that’s much deeper then just the physical.  These two characters sizzle as a couple and I liked how it was more then just a physical attraction from the get go.  The emotional connection they have for one another is strong and real and their scenes together are brilliantly written. Sam is so tender and loving to Azami and shows her what it means to be cherished.  Azami brings the meaning of home and family to Sam, something he never thought he’d ever have for himself. 

Weaved through Sam and Azami’s romance is of course the danger and intrigue that Christine is noted for in her Ghostwalker series.  Dr. Whitney is bound and determined to get a diamond from the Congo to further his madness, but to do so, he needs to sacrifice a Ghostwalker to Ekabela  as his men are in possession of the mine.  Sam is just the Ghostwalker he has in mind and Azami informs team one of this.  Of course Ryland and the rest of the team are cautious about this info from Azami at first seeing as they know little about her, but when Sam’s stepfather General Ranier arrives and informs them of the orders that have just come down, Ryland starts to change his feelings about Azami and Sam’s choice to be with her.  As team one prepares for this mission Christine does an amazing job of keeping the reader on edge and wondering just who is in cahoots with Whitney and these orders.  For a while she had me second guessing a few people only to learn later on I couldn’t have been farther from the truth.

The more I read, the more I loved this story.  I truly love the way Christine unravels the intrigue she creates throughout this story.  It kept me on the edge of my seat wanting more. The battle and actions scenes made me feel like I was there, a part of the action and drama that was unfolding on the pages.   Along with all the action, danger and intrigue there was also humour and camaraderie amongst the men of team one. There’s one scene in the book that had me laughing out loud at the antics of these guys when they get together.  This is a great team and the characters and personalities Christine created just gel perfectly.  I truly enjoyed hanging with team one again and watching them battle and once again outsmart the villainous resident mad scientist Dr. Whitney.  Here’s to looking forward to the next Ghostwalker installment that can’t come soon enough.  If you haven’t ready this one yet, I suggest you do.  

Review by Marcie

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Cover Reveals and Cafe News

Cover Reveals and Cafe News

 

From the Facebook page of Kresley Cole:

The next Immortals After Dark novel is:  MACRIEVE

RELEASE DATE:  MAY 14th 2013 

 

 

 

 

TITLE:  Edge of Dawn

AUTHOR:  Lara Adrian

SERIES:  Midnight Breeds

RELEASE DATE:  January 2013

 

 

 

 

 

TITLE:  Steel’s Edge

AUTHOR:  Ilona Andrews

SERIES:  The Edge

RELEASE DATE:  November 27, 2012

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Maya Banks-Interview with the Author

Maya Banks-Interview with the Author

TRC:  HI Maya and welcome to The Reading Cafe. It is a pleasure to talk with one of our favorite authors.

Maya:  Thanks for having me. It’s my pleasure 🙂

TRC:  Many authors begin their journey to publication as at younger age. Who or what inspired you to start writing?

Maya:  There are two parts to my writing history. I began writing full length novels in sixth grade. But it’s not as if I ever said to myself “I want to be a writer when I grow up.” Because for me, writers were such huge rock stars. They were beyond my realm of understanding and comprehension. It was like a pipe dream to even imagine being an author. So it was very much something I did solely for my own enjoyment.

Fast forward twenty years later (or nearly 20) after I’d had my third child, and I hadn’t written anything since high school! It was then that I decided to pursue writing more seriously and actually make a career out of it.

TRC:  What is the title of your first published book? Looking back, would you change anything about your first publication?

Maya:  Seducing Simon was my first published novel. And no, I wouldn’t change anything. I’m a big proponent of understanding that if things in the past hadn’t gone exactly as they did, then my present would be a much different place and I’m very happy with my present!

TRC:  What do you find is the most difficult aspect of your writing career?

Maya:  Having to grit my teeth and let a lot of things go. It’s really hard especially when you know someone is dead wrong but also realizing that it’s pointless to even dwell on the matter.

TRC:  Congratulations!! HIDDEN AWAY has been nominated for a 2012 RITA award. How were you informed about the nomination? What does the RITA nomination mean to you?

Maya:  For this particular book it means a lot because it was a book that was very difficult to write and it caused a lot of trickle down difficulties with subsequent books as well. It took a while to get back on track because it took a lot of mental effort to make the book what I wanted and I was really exhausted afterward!

TRC:  What challenges have you encountered in the development of your different novels?

Maya: I’m my own worst critic, so just getting the book to a stage where *I’m* satisfied is the hardest part.

 

TRC:  SWEET ADDICTION is your latest release in the Sweet Series. Please tell us something about the premise.

Maya:  Sweet Addiction is simply about making the biggest sacrifice possible for someone you love. It’s about going against everything you think you know about yourself and have resolved in the past and realizing that in order to make the person you love happy that you have to make those ultimate sacrifices.

TRC:  How many books do you have planned for the Sweet Series?

Maya:  Just the six that are currently published. There will be a spin off series starting in 2014, but it will be quite different than the Sweet Series and not as highly eroticized.

TRC:  How do you address any comparisons to the Fifty Shades of Grey trilogy, in regards to the BDSM/Dom/Sub storylines?

Maya:  Since I haven’t read 50 Shades, I don’t address the comparisons at all. I do what I’ve always done which is continue to write books that interest me and intrigue me. I’ve been writing them since 2006 so any comparisons that are made are inaccurate anyway.

TRC:  PILLOW TALK is your May 2012 release and can be found in the anthology-Four Play. Would you please tell us about your latest short story?

Maya:  Pillow Talk is a friends to lovers romance (one of my favorite tropes) between an already established couple and their two roommates. When the main couple play out some of their fantasies, things get really hot, but they also realize that some things are better left in the realm of fantasy.

 

 

TRC:  Which do you find more difficult to write-an short story where the introduction, plot and conclusion must come to a quick completion or a full-length novel and why?

Maya:  Writing is never easy no matter what format or length. I don’t find one easier than the other because so much depends on the storyline and characters. Some BOOKS are easier than others but it’s completely random as to whether the occasional “easy” book is a novella or a full length novel.

TRC:   COLTER’S PROMISE (e-novella short story) is your new release in the Colter’s Legacy series. Would you please tell us about the premise?

Maya:  Colters’ Promise is a much asked for look at where the Colters’ are now and an update on each of the couples that were featured in the first three books. It also sets up the last book in the series, Colters’ Gift, which releases in April 2013.

TRC:   ECHOES AT DAWN is book 5 in the KGI series. Would you please tell us about the premise?

 

Maya:  Echoes at Dawn is Rio and Grace’s story and it’s very closely connected to Whispers in the Dark which featured Grace’s sister, Shea. The two sisters have been on the run, pursued for their telepathic and healing abilities. The story arc that began in Whispers in the Dark is completed in Echoes at Dawn while the two books fit in the much wider range of the KGI series.

 

 

TRC:  EXILED (a novella) can be found in the August 2012 anthology CHERISHED with Lauren Dane. Will you please tell us about the premise?

Maya:  Exiled is an over the top, really yummy heightened reality (as my editor calls my stories) story of an exiled prince and the beautiful young woman he’s been obsessed with ever since their paths crossed four years earlier. He summons her to the island where her every fantasy is rendered in exquisite detail. As well as a few of his own.

 

 

TRC:  NEVER SEDUCE A SCOT (September 2012) is another historical romance. Please tell us about the premise?

Maya:  Eveline, the heroine, is based largely in part on my husband. Or at least her condition. She’s deaf and has perpetuated a deception within her family to protect herself from an unwanted marriage with a neighboring ally. When the king forces a union between her clan and their most hated foe, she’s thrust into a hostile clan who wants nothing to do with her or anyone bearing her name. But the hero is fascinated with her and despite his best attempts to remain reserved around her, he falls hard for his new wife.

TRC:  Which genre do you prefer to write and why?

Maya:  I don’t have a preference. What I love most about what I do is being able to switch from contemporary to historical so I never get bored. I love being able to go between genres and write the stories that I’m eager to tell without being constrained to one specific niche.

TRC: How much research is involved with the historical aspect of this particular type of novel?

Maya:  Lots of traveling, reading, ordering research books and digging for really obscure facts.

TRC:  Many authors bounce ideas and information between each other or family and friends. With whom do you bounce ideas?

Maya:  I do a lot of bouncing off my Beta reader. She’s pretty good at listening and adding ideas I haven’t thought of.

TRC:  What are you currently working on?

Maya:  The next Scottish historical, Highlander Most Wanted

~~~~~~~~

LIGHTNING ROUND

Favorite Food: Barbeque

Favorite Dessert: Caramel Heath Bar Pie (or anything caramel)

Favorite TV Show: I rarely if ever watch television!

Favorite Movie: uhhh have no idea. See above lol

Last Movie You Saw: I think it was one of the Harry Potter movies I took my son to see.

Dark or Milk Chocolate: Not much of a chocolate fan but I really detest dark chocolate so if I’m going to eat it, it has to be milk chocolate

Favorite Flower: Anything orange

Last book that you read: an ARC of Nalini Singh’s Archangel’s Storm

Last vacation destination: Last family vacation was to Ireland

TRC:  Maya, we would like to thank you very much for taking the time to answer are multitude of questions ;). Your different series and books keep our TBR piles and shelves full. We look forward to reading all of your new releases. We wish you all the best.

Maya:  Thanks again for having me. It was fun!

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Echoes at Dawn (KGI Series #5) by Maya Banks-a review

Echoes at Dawn – Book 5 (KGI Series)

Echoes at Dawn is the new release (July 3, 2012) in Maya Banks’ popular KGI series.

Echoes at Dawn is Rio and Grace’s story. Rio leads one of the teams for KGI. We were introduced to Grace Peterson in Whispers in the Dark. She is the sister of Shea Peterson, Nathan Kelly’s fiancé.

At the end of Whispers in the Dark, KGI was working on trying to locate Grace, Shea’s sister. Once the surveillance footage of Grace appeared on the screen, Rio leapt to his feet and declared that he and his team would locate Grace and bring her home.

Grace was being held prisoner and experimented on. She had to power to heal. The drawback to her ability was that she actually took their sickness, whether it be an injury or disease, mental illness or sickness, into her body. Under normal circumstances, she could heal herself as well from whatever she had taken inside her. Unfortunately, she had not been able to heal each time her captors has forced her into saving someone. She was weak and ready to die when there was sudden chaos in the compound where she was being held. Explosions and gunshots were everywhere. In the mayhem that ensued, she was able to make her escape, even in her weakened state.

She was aware that there were people following her and had been managing to hide, but she also knew how weak she was and that she wouldn’t be able to continue. She was resigned to her fate and willing to die when Rio and his team reached her. By the time his team got to her, she was gravely injured. She had internal injuries, broken bones and mentally, she was toast. Rio and his team knew something wasn’t right with what happened at the compound where she was being held and knew that maybe more than one group was after Grace. Rio was determined that she would live and he and his team set out to get her out of there and give her time to heal. On their trek out, someone from Rio ’s past appears to give him a warning about who was after Grace. And a one time pass.

Once they are out of harm’s way, Grace starts her healing process at his home in Belize . At first, she is torn over whether to trust Rio or not. Once she finds out that he promised Shea he would bring her home, she started to trust him. She had trouble reconciling the warrior that she knew him to be and the gentle caring man who was helping her to heal. Once Rio reveals to her that she is his and that he had known it from the moment he saw her on the surveillance footage, she begins to feel hope for the first time. She and her sister had been alone for so long and she hoped and prayed that she wouldn’t wake up tomorrow and find it all a dream. Luckily for her, and for Rio , it wasn’t.

I loved this book. This story has a little bit of everything. There is betrayal, which shocked me. There is, of course, a sweet love story. And there were a couple of times toward the end that had me tearing up. Okay, to be honest, I cried. But the biggie?? There is a twist at the end that shocked me. I can’t even tell you what it is or what it pertains to, because, if you haven’t read it yet, it’ll blow it for you. I don’t know if I’m getting slow in my old age and just missing the signs of these twists or not, but for a minute, I was like “WHAT??!!”. LOL!!! The very end had the entire group together for a celebration. And, Grace was welcomed into the Kelly fold. Can’t wait for the next installment in this great series. *whispering* I don’t know if I’ve mentioned it or not, but I love Maya Banks!! 😉 And, I’ll say it again. If you haven’t read Maya’s KGI series, you are missing out on some serious hotness!!

Reviewed by Vickie M.

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ALPHA’S MATE (Siberian Volkov Pack) by Caryn Moya Block

Alpha’s Mate by Caryn Moya Block

ALPHA’S MATE by Caryn Moya Block

ALPHA’S MATE is the first release (January 2012)  for indie author Caryn Moya Block. The premise involves the unexpected revelation that psychic human females can be true mates to the shape shifting Siberian wolves of the Russian Pack. With very few females available for the many males, the wolves were going rogue and attacking their own. Hoping to find a solution or die trying, Alpha leader Dmitry Volko vowed he would step aside should no answer be found.

Dmitry Volkov was on assignment in Moscow when an unfamiliar heat caught his attention-mate. But humans were not mates, unless something was different. Pushing the limits of her mind, Dmitry was able to connect psychically with the woman who would one day be the alpha female to his male and with that the possibility of continuing the line of alpha succession.

Violet Armstrong became aware that she was being watched. But the push against the defenses in her mind, were a warning that someone was trying to connect on a different level. As a professional photographer, Violet was about to embark on a journey into the forests of Siberia to photograph the elusive Russian wolves. But little did she know, that the elusive wolf was only a few steps away.

The story builds when the psychic connection between the couple is so strong that separation is both painful and heartbreaking. But an attack against the pack finds Dmitry and his ‘brothers’ needing to return to Siberia. Knowing the separation could mean death to his mate, Dmitry must ensure that Violet makes the trip to the Russian north. Upon arrival, the others notice the ‘golden cord of light’ –the mate bond between the couple that shines in acknowledgment of their connection as true mates. But the stories of unmated males and the low birth-rate of female pups, saddens the new alpha female, when several members of the pack begin to turn on each other in the hopes of finding or taking another’s mate.

Learning the duties and directions of the alpha female, is both tiring and exciting, but with the help of Dmitry’s mother and family, Violet is quick to discover that the pack function like a well-organized machine. The bonds between the families are close and the males will pledge a blood allegiance to their leader. But it is Dmitry’s demeanor and behavior that have Violet worried when he is willing to risk his health and his relationship for the sake of his pack. Thinking she is not worthy as an alpha’s mate, Violet resigns herself to a life without the possibility of love. The pack alpha needs a mate to continue the line, but as a human she fears she is not what they need. But the death of a mated male brings with it the knowledge, that her connection with Dimitry is a matter of life and death.

ALPHA’S MATE is a paranormal/fantasy story but a story so familiar that I cannot but help make comparisons to the Carpathians by Christine Feehan. Change the wolves to Carpathians, and the story is almost identical. Russia vs Romania, True mates, bonding rituals and words, psychic human females, leader willing to step aside, best friend and second in command to the alpha is Grigori, not enough female children, sickly newborns, males turning without females, a 16 year old female as a true mate to an older male, a computer data base for psychic females, the death of a mate brings death to the other, the males share blood with the alpha to better communicate telepathically-a connection to each other-all eerily reminiscent of Christine Feehan’s Dark Carpathian series. As a fan of everything Christine Feehan, no wonder I liked the premise of the story-because basically it is almost identical to the Dark series of novels. It is an easy read, but one that will resound with similarities and déjà vu. And what can I say about the cover-just…no!!!

reviewed by Sandy

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GRAVE WITCH (Alex Craft 1) by Kalayna Price

Grave Witch by Kalayna Price

GRAVE WITCH (Alex Craft #1) by Kalayna Price

GRAVE WITCH is the first book in Kalayna Price’s Alex Craft series of novels. Alex (Caine) Craft is a grave witch with the power to speak with, and see the dead. In a world where the supernatural have been publicly visible for 70 years, Alex’s talents become necessary when her ability to raise a ‘shade’ speaks volumes for those who have been murdered. Shades are the ‘living’ memories of the recently deceased, but when Alex is targeted by the First Human Society and a shade with a deadly claw, she knows there is more to this investigation than the normal collection of ghosts and shades. The Fae have now targeted Alex in more ways than one. With her talent to raise the shades, the witnesses are no longer needed when victims can speak for themselves.

Alex has grave sight. With the ability to ‘see’ and use magic, grave sight has many side effects including lowering her body temperature and temporary blindness. But over time, Alex’s reputation has found her in the unenviable position to defend her findings and to seek out others for ‘comfort’. When a colleague is injured trying to save Alex, it is she who must defend herself against accusations and as to why they were investigating a murder that had already been solved. Investigating a missing and dead politician will lead Alex to one of the most unlikely homes-her family. Knowing her father does not believe in the use of magic or the supernatural, her visits will result in some nasty accusations and a sister’s warning. But like many of the non-believers, their true heredity will reveal when all is said and done.

There are several men in Alex’s life. Death is the sexy presence who guides and protects Alex from herself and an assassin’s bullet. Corporeal at times and ghostlike at others, Death and his companions will await the souls of the dead. And it is Death’s pronouncement over a dying Alex that will have the grave witch confused. But it is the new detective at the precinct that will catch Alex’s eye. Falin Andrews knows more about the case than he is willing to admit. But seeing Alex in action, using her grave site to help find a missing girl, Falin is the first in line to aid Alex in her recovery. Sleeping with the enemy brings on a whole new meaning.

Investigating several deaths in the supernatural world will make targets out of Alex and Falin. But finding themselves trapped in Faerie and waking up several days later without the knowledge of what has happened, will open Alex’s eyes to the truth behind Falin’s ability to see. When several of the bodies have hidden glyphs, it is Falin who finally discerns the threat is that of the Fae. As part of the FIB (Fae Investigating Bureau) Falin can no longer keep his identity a secret, as well as his feelings for Alex. Living in a human world where magic is not always accepted, can be difficult when you become the target of both worlds.

We are introduced to several other witches who work with and against Alex as she wonders the path of the dead. It is convenient for the investigations when the medical examiner and the CSI investigators have the ability to ‘see’ through the ‘glamour’ of magic and death. Fred, the ever-knowing gargoyle, appears at random places and gives cryptic advice when Alex is not looking. PC, her dog and Caleb her landlord have small but recurring roles. I hope to see more of Caleb, now that we know he too, is playing human in a world of magic. And the presence of a persistent ghost will aid Alex and Falin in their search for the ‘real’ personality hunting for power in the world of the supernatural.

GRAVE WITCH is a great introductory storyline in Kalayna Price’s Alex Craft series. There is plenty of background information revealed regarding the history of the Fae and the Witch’s, but the information is necessary to allow the reader to grasp the premise behind the animosity between the haves and have-nots (as it pertains to power and magic).

READING ORDER
1. Grave Witch
2. Grave Dance
3. Grave Memory

Reviewed by Sandy

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The McCabe Trilogy by Maya Banks-a review

The McCabe Trilogy by Maya Banks

This series is about a trio of brothers:  Ewan, Alaric and Caelen McCabe, who are readying for battle in order to save their land.  There is a series of “accidents” that happen throughout this series orchestrated by Duncan Cameron in his quest to acquire land to be the strongest laird among all of the clans.  Will he succeed?

In Bed with a Highlander – Book 1

Ewan McCabe, laird of their keep, is readying his clan for battle.  The McCabe keep has fallen on hard times and he is determined to keep his clan safe from a threatened war from rival clans.  Food is scarce and the clan is starting to lose hope.

Mairin, illegitimate daughter of King David, has hidden out in an abbey for years.  Her dowry alone makes her a prime target.  Duncan Cameron has been looking for her in order to force a marriage between them in order to take control of her dowry.  Unfortunately, they find her.  After she is taken, she discovers a small boy, Crispin, and fights tooth and nail to keep the boy safe from Duncan’s men.  The two of them escape and are finally found by the McCabes.  Crispin turns out to be Ewan McCabe’s son.

Once they arrive at the keep, Mairin is wary of everyone around her, scared they will discover who she is.  Not only does she have a wealthy dowry, she also has power, being the daughter of the King.  Ewan is instantly intrigued with Mairin and eventually figures out who she is.  He proposes marriage and promises to give her a home and keep her safe.  Mairin is impulsive, strong-willed and falls hopelessly in love with Ewan.  Crispin is over the moon happy when his dad and Mairin marry.  And Ewan soon discovers that he is in love with Mairin and will do anything to make her happy and keep her safe.  Even though she makes him crazy with her stubborn ways.

Seduction of a Highland Lass – Book 2

Alaric McCabe is set to marry Rionna McDonald, daughter of a laird of a neighboring clan.  They both are entering into the union to strengthen each of their clans.  When Alaric sets out on his trip to the McDonald keep, he is attacked and left for dead. 

Keeley McDonald has been banished from the McDonald keep and lives on the fringes of their land.  She misses her family and her best friend, Rionna, fiercely.  She finds Alaric and nurses him until his clan tracks him down.  Keeley travels back to the McCabe keep, where she continues to nurse Alaric back to health.  He fights his attraction to her, knowing that he must fulfill his duty to his clan by following through with the arranged marriage.  And, Keeley can no longer deny that she has fallen for Alaric.  A series of accidents happen, which turn out to be attacks and Keely is wounded.  Once they are both healed, they can no longer deny their feelings for each other. 

Never Love a Highlander – Book 3 (and the final one, *sniff*)

In order to ensure the safety of their clan, Caelen McCabe agrees to marry Rionna McDonald, even though, he is convinced that all women, except for his brothers’ wives, are not trustworthy and has vowed to never love again.

He travels to the McDonald in order for the marriage to take place.  And the chaos he finds at the keep does not amuse him.  The clan members are at each others’ throats and several do not know the meaning of loyalty. Rionna is different from any woman Caelen has ever encountered.  She trains and fights with her clan.  When Caelen menacingly demands that she stay out of harm’s way, she is devastated. She is truly a warrior at heart.

They finally come to an understanding and Rionna sees that Caelen is broken and is scared to love again.  They start to trust each other and eventually break through each other’s defenses and fall madly in love.  This all builds up to the final confrontation with Duncan Cameron, who is dealt with once and for all, and Rionna plays an instrumental part in what happens.

I think that I may have mentioned that I love Maya Banks in previous reviews, but this trilogy made me bow to her!!  There are no words strong enough to tell you how much I love this series.  I fell madly in love with all three brothers.  They are all fierce warriors and tender lovers.  And, don’t even get me started on their sense of honor.  The interaction with the main characters, as well as their clan members is touching.  They will do anything to keep all of them safe and prosperous.  There are fierce battles and such loving moments in all of the books. That said, Seduction of a Highland Lass is one of my top three all-time favorite books.  To say I cried like a baby SEVERAL times is a huge understatement.  In my humble opinion, it is so very well written, as they all are, but this one struck a nerve with me.  The tender emotion that Maya Banks conveys in this book sent me right over the edge and cemented her place with me.  If I had to pick just three authors to read for the rest of my life, she would be definitely be one of them.  Simple, emotional and sexy as hell.  If you haven’t read this trilogy, you are missing out.

Reviewed by Vickie M.

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Colter’s Legacy Series by Maya Banks

Colters’ Legacy Series

The Colter family consists of three brothers: Adam, Ethan and Ryan.  They were raised in a very unconventional family.  One mother, three dads, as has happened for several generations in the Colter family.  And they are looking for the same.  One woman to share their lives with.

 

Colters’ Woman – Book 1

 

Adam, Ryan and Ethan are successful ranchers and hunting guides.  One snowy morning, Adam goes outside to discover a lifeless body in the ditch out by the road.  As soon as he scoops her into his arms, he knows she is the ONE.  Holly Bardwell is running from her new husband.  On her wedding night she discovered he wasn’t what he appeared to be.  She witnesses him murder another man.  He is a mafia type and will track her mercilessly.

 

 

Holly doesn’t know quite what to make of the brothers.  They all have such different personalities.  She is initially scared but knows that they will protect her with their dying breath.  Over time, their love grows for one another. Once she discovers their love for her, and hers for them, she starts to feel comfortable in her own skin again, and realizes she has to take care of her past before she can have a future with these three gorgeous men.  They discover she has left and think that she has left them for good, until six months later, when she appears on their doorstep.  VERY pregnant.  She is finally free of her past and ready for her future with them.

 

Colters’ Lady – Book 2

Seth, Dillon and Michael Colter are the sons of Adam, Ethan, Ryan and Holly Colter.  They love their “dads” and mom fiercely, but have no intentions of following in their footsteps when it comes to marrying one woman.

 

Seth is in Denver, serving in at a homeless shelter when he sees a homeless woman, Lily Weston, in line at a soup kitchen.  He follows her after she eats and discovers her hovering in an alley, her home for the night.  He immediately feels protective and convinces her to accept help from him. He takes her back to Michael’s apartment, where Michael is immediately drawn to her as well.  They all head back to their mountain where they encounter Dillon, who is, you guessed it, drawn to her too.  They soon discover that she has suffered horrible tragedy and has been homeless for three years.  She lost her baby daughter to SIDs and her husband blamed her.  She meets the dads and Holly and is immediately welcomed.  Needless to say, she is a little surprised at the boys’ parent’s relationship.  She comes to understand when she starts having feelings for the boys herself and realizes their feelings for her.  Like Holly before her, she has to face her past before she can bask in a future with the Colter boys.  She faces her ex-husband and gets the closure she has needed for so long and lets go of the pain she has carried for so long.  And looks forward to her life as Colters’ Lady.

Colters’ Daughter – Book 3

Callie Colter is the youngest and only daughter of the Colter clan.  She has always been a restless spirit, traveling the world for one adventure after the other.  Then she meets Max Wilder and falls hopelessly in love.  After spending endless days and nights together in Europe, he disappears, saying he will return.  Callie waited, eventually figuring out he wasn’t coming back.  Heartbroken, she heads back to the mountain, to the love of her family.

 

 

Callie’s family knows she’s is hurting, but give her the space and love she so desperately needs.  One night, while working in her brother Dillon’s bar, Max strolls in and her world is turned upside down again.  She soon discovers that a plot of land, known as Callie’s meadow (where she was born) had been bought by her dads from a family they didn’t really know anything about.  Max’s family.  Max blames Callie for his family losing the meadow.  However, he didn’t plan on falling in love with Callie.  Once he realizes that the land was bought from his mother on the best of terms, and that Callie’s family hadn’t wrangled it from them, he knows how bad he has mucked things up.  A little too late though.  Callie leaves without a word. Unsurprisingly, he meets with the ire of the ENTIRE Colter family.  He convinces them that he loves Callie with his heart and soul and waits on the mountain, with her family’s blessing, until she returns.  And when she does, she discovers that he has built a home for them in the meadow.  She realizes that he truly does lover her and they have their happily ever after.

 

Colters’ Promise – Book 4

Even though Lily Colter has faced losing her baby daughter, she is devastated to learn she is pregnant.  All of her fears come flooding back.  She doesn’t know what to do.  Fortunately, Holly Colter, who is a DISASTER in the kitchen, (her 3 hunky husbands do all of the cooking), has decided that she wants to prepare a Thanksgiving feast for her family and turns to Lily for help.  Lily’s husbands see how distant Lily has been and know that something is upsetting her and they wonder what she and their mom is up to.  No one is allowed at Lily’s during Holly’s cooking classes.  Unfortunately, the boys think the worst and are afraid that Lily has decided that she doesn’t like having three husbands, who by the way, worship her like a goddess.

 

In the middle of all of this, Max receives upsetting news from his sister, Lauren.  She has been horribly abused by her boyfriend.  Max and Callie fly to New York to bring her home with them.  She is hesitant at first, but Callie convinces her that the Colter family is just what she needs to heel.  She hides herself away at Max and Callie’s, until Holly Colter shows up and talks to her.  She explains that she, too, had been in an abusive relationship and that she can heal from it.  Holly is just what Lauren needed.  A mother figure, who is fierce about protecting her children, which Lauren discovers that she is now an honorary member.

Once the Colter boys confront Lily with their fears, she confesses, in a harsh way, that she is pregnant.  The boys realize that she is scared to death and finally convince her that everything will be okay this go around.  They will be with her every step of the way.  Thanksgiving arrives and at the large dinner table, she announces to the family that she is expecting.  The family celebrates and realize just how blessed they all are.

When I first started reading this series, I wasn’t sure if I would like it or not.  Boy, was I wrong.   You can’t help but fall in love with this family.  It’s a family that anyone would be blessed to be a member of.  The loving tenderness in Colters’ Woman, was for me, breathtaking.  The protectiveness and undying love in Colters’ Lady is inspiring.  I am glad that Colters’ Daughter didn’t have Callie in a relationship with multiples though.  She is such a strong young lady, until in the privacy of their bedroom, where she submits to Max in every way.  The scenes in Colter’s Promise with Lily sitting beside the monument her husbands made for Rose, the daughter she lost, are heart wrenching.  And the pain and humiliation Lauren feels is palpable.  I love the interaction of the entire Colter family in every book.  Love this series!!!  And highly recommend it.  Have I mentioned lately that I love Maya Banks??  😉

Reviewed by Vickie M.

 

 

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