Monthly Archives: August 2012

Out of Time (Out of Time #1) by Monique Martin-a review

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OUT OF TIME (Out of Time #1) by Monique Martin-a review

OUT OF TIME (A Time Travel Mystery #1) by Monique Martin

OUT OF TIME is the first novel in Monique Martin’s Time Travel Mystery series. A series based on the premise of Temporal Explorers (Time Travelers) Monique takes the reader back in time to the Prohibition era of 1929 approximately 12 weeks prior to the Stock Market crash. Professor Simon Cross and his classroom for the study of occult anthropology never saw this one coming.

Professor Simon Cross had fallen for Elizabeth West. Once a student in his Occult Anthropology class, Elizabeth was now his assistant. But the shy and reserved British scholar refused to acknowledge his feelings. For weeks he has been suffering nightmares that end in the death of his beloved Elizabeth and always the guilt ate away at his soul. Remembering the last time (30 years before) his nightmares turned to reality, Simon had pledged to avoid another death that would plague at his conscience.

Elizabeth West was working on her Master’s degree in the study of the Occult. A much maligned subject by many of the upper classmen and professors at the university, Elizabeth knew one of the reasons for her interest was the man at the front of the class. And Simon’s refusal to acknowledge the attraction only fueled Elizabeth’s desire. But on the night of the eclipse with Simon’s grandfather’s mysterious pocket watch the couple would find themselves in Prohibition Era1929 New York, with no money, only the clothes on their backs and an apartment with one double size bed.

As the story progresses, Elizabeth and Simon pretend to be a newly married couple. Hoping to find a means to earn money, the pair soon finds themselves working in a speakeasy where the liquor flows and gangsters rule. But it is the reports of the mysterious deaths that will have Simon on alert. When a powerful player has eyes for Elizabeth, Simon starts to wonder just how powerful is this stranger and where in the hierarchy of the paranormal did he stand.

Simon and Elizabeth’s relationship will start off rather bumpy when Simon refuses to admit his feelings. But when the nightmares persist, he must gather his nerve and reveal his reluctance to and love for Elizabeth. Only then will her love for the man melt the ice on his frozen heart. The love scenes are sensual when Simon finally allows himself to love for the first time in a very long time. Simon’s love for Elizabeth was palpable. I was swept away by the intimacy of Monique’s writing. I wish all men felt the same way as Simon does for Elizabeth. But as the date of the next eclipse finally draws near, it will be his love for Elizabeth that will be tested when one of them may have to make the ultimate sacrifice to save the other.

OUT OF TIME is a fascinating look at a fantasy-mystery storyline. I must admit I was not crazy when the story took an abrupt turn and veered towards the paranormal. The time travel premise was interesting, as well as the couple’s struggles to fit into a period in history they would have only read about in books, but the addition of a paranormal sub-plot caught me short.

I fell for the character of Simon immediately and he broke my heart with his trepidation and fear for the woman that he loved, but it took a strong woman like Elizabeth to bring the shy professor out of his shell. OUT OF TIME, even with the paranormal sub-plot, is a well-written story. I enjoyed Monique Martin’s tale of love and mystery, and her attention to detail that could not be ignored when one travels back in time. I am looking forward to reading about the next adventures of Simon and Elizabeth.

LINKS TO ORDER
Amazon Paper Books
Amazon Kindle
B&N Paper Books
The Book Depository

Reviewed by Sandy

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BY A THREAD (Elemental Assassin #6) by Jennifer Estep-a review

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BY A THREAD (Elemental Assassin #6) by Jennifer Estep-a review

BY A THREAD by Jennifer Estep

BY A THREAD is the sixth book (February 2012 release)  in Jennifer Estep’s Elemental Assassins series. Featuring heroine Gin Blanco, The Elemental Assassins series focuses on Gin’s life as assassin-for-hire The Spider. Now that her nemesis Mab Monroe is no longer a threat, Gin schedules a long needed vacation with her sister Bria, only to find, that no one will ever let her forget her past.

Gin Blanco has decided it is time to retire. Her life as The Spider has affected everyone she loves including her sister, her love life and her extended family of vampires, dwarves, giants and elementals. When her step-brother and her sister’s lover Finn suggests a vacation, Gin is reluctant. Although time together may help heal the heartache between she and her sister, their destination is about to bring more problems than she could have ever imagined.

Bria and Gin head to Blue Marsh, a small sea-side town where Bria was raised when the sisters were orphaned following a fatal fire that killed their parents and older sibling. Hoping to catch up with her childhood friend Callie, Bria is surprised to learn that Callie is engaged, and Gin is stunned when she recognizes Callie’s fiancé-her ex-lover Donovan Caine. To make matters worse, neither Callie nor Bria are aware of the connection between Donovan and Gin, or that Donovan left Gin with the hope of never again seeing the assassin known as The Spider.

Bria’s continuous disdain for her sister, breaks Gin’s heart. As the assassin known as The Spider, Gin works the other side of the law. Her sister Bria, as a police detective, is torn between the law and her moral and ethical obligation to her superiors. But without Gin’s help, the tiny metropolis of Ashland, would be controlled by the beings more powerful than anyone could have predicted. Gin is washed in the knowledge that her only sister despises her and their relationship may be beyond repair.

The painful reminders from her past continue to haunt Gin, especially when her skills as an assassin may be needed. Randall Dekes is a wealthy landowner (and vampire) who continues to purchase all the surrounding land to build a large and sprawling casino, and Callie is one of only two holdouts in the land appropriation. On numerous occasions, Callie has been threatened and assaulted by the vampire’s men and Randall Dekes refuses to back down waging a campaign against Callie and anyone who stands in his way.

With her extended family now secluded in Blue Marsh, Gin, Bria, Finn and Gin’s lover Owen, devise a plan to convince Dekes, it would be in his interest to leave Callie and the others alone. But an error in judgment,almost costs Gin her life, as well as the lives of those thought to be closest to Randall Dekes. Gin’s fatal error, was not recognizing that perhaps her reputation as The Spider was known to Dekes. And once again, someone from her past, has let it be known, what and whom is Gin Blanco.

Randall Deke’s is a vampire, who knows a good thing when he finds it. To keep his abilities at full strength, he must feed from the Elementals, syphoning their powers, absorbing the elements of air, fire, stone and ice. With Gin’s dual elemental power, Deke is now in possession of all four elements. Weakened by Deke’s feeding, Gin must attempt an escape, by any means possible. But there are others who are in danger, and Gin promises to return.

Following a much-needed healing session with Jo Jo, Gin and the others must once again track a vampire in his lair, but not before Donovan reveals Callie is missing and presumed in Deke’s custody. Knowing that Donovan already hates her for who she is, Gin must call upon her skills as The Spider, to affect the rescue of her ex-lover’s fiancé and a couple of other elementals secluded within the walls of Deke’s mansion.

Gin’s battle with Deke and his warriors is action packed and the results are worth the effort. Freedom is gained at the cost of many lives but Callie is safe in the arms of her fiancé, and Blue Marsh and its’ people no longer have to worry about a vampire and his dreams of a casino and resort.

Gin and Owen’s relationship grows stronger thoughout the storyline and the love scenes are gentle and pure. Donovan’s true feelings for Gin are revealed, and to everyone’s surprise, his confession leaves both himself and the reader-breathless. Gin’s past still haunts her dreams as well as her life, and we know, that we have not seen the last of Mab Monroe’s Ashland villains. BY A THREAD is another wonderful story in The Elemental Assassins series and I can’t wait for WIDOW’S WEB to be released August 2012

READING ORDER:

Spider’s Bargain (a free short)
Book 1–Spider’s Bite 
Web of Death (a free short story)
Book 2–Web of Lies 
Web of Deceit (free short)
Poison (free short)
Wasted (free short)
Book 3–Venom 
Tangled Dreams (free short)
Tangled Schemes (free short )
Book 4–Tangled Threads 
Book 5–Spider’s Revenge 
Book 6–By a Thread 
Book 7–Widow’s Web 
Bok 8–Deadly Sting- 2013

LINKS TO ORDER:
Amazon Kindle
Amazon Paper Books
B&N Nook and Paper Books
KOBO
The Book Depository

Reviewed by Sandy

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TOUCH OF A SCOUNDREL (Touch of Seduction #3) by Mia Marlowe

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Touch of a Scoundrel (Touch of Seduction #3) by Mia Marlowe

TOUCH OF A SCOUNDREL (Touch of Seduction #3) by Mia Marlowe

TOUCH OF A SCOUNDREL is the third storyline and August 2012 release from author Mia Marlowe’s Touch of Seduction historical romance series. Griffin Nash, the Earl of Devonwood had a gift passed down through his mother’s side of the family. With his ability to ‘see’ and the ‘sending’, Griffin could touch an object and see the possessor’s future outcome, only when, at fourteen years of age, he foresaw his father’s death, there was nothing he could possibly do. Now that he is an adult, he knew better than to touch an anonymous object without the use of gloves. But once he touched Emmaline Farnsworth’s fan, he knew he was lost in a world of lust and love.

Theodore Devonwood thought he was in love with American traveller Emmaline Farnsworth Relishing the idea of marriage to the beautiful and intelligent Emmaline, Teddy brought her home, along with her ‘father’ to meet the family and his friends. But once on the estate, Griffin took it upon himself to investigate the claims that Dr. Montague Farnsworth and his daughter had unearthed a rare Egyptian statue. And now that the information was revealed, everyone in the ton, wanted in on the action. But it was Griffin who was beginning to realize that Monty and his daughter were not quite who they had claimed to be.

Griffin knew better than to get involved with his brother’s soon-to-be fiancé, but their attraction to one another was palpable. And once Griffin ‘saw’ their future, it was impossible to avoid what was to come. Between his dreams, ‘Seeing’ and the
‘Sending’ Griffin tries to avoid putting himself into the situations where their paths will cross, but inevitably what he ‘Sees’ will always come into fruition regardless of the path he has chosen. But when Emmaline and Griffin take the next step, Griffin sees that his future with Theodore will end tragically for one or both.

Meanwhile the story continues to focus on the Tetisheri Egyptian statue that Emmaline and Monty were promoting as part of their archeological find. The deeper Theodore entranced himself into the mystery surrounding the statue, the more Griffin realized that something didn’t feel right. But following an attempted burglary at the estate, Griffin will discover that Emmaline and her father had played everyone for a fool and now that his heart was involved, he wanted to know if her feelings for him were true and Theodore would have to be told. But a gathering of family and friends at Devonwood Park would place everyone in danger with their lies and deceit. A duel between brothers would end with blood, and the woman that Devon loves would go missing with one of his ‘friends’.

TOUCH OF A SCOUNDREL is a warm and fuzzy historical romance with a slight touch of the paranormal. The Earl’s ability to ‘touch and see’ 12 hours into the future is not the stuff of supernatural beings but a little bit of fantasy thrown in for added fun. Mia weaves a magical illusion of a fated tale of love and lust. And the secondary characters, whose lives were entertained and intermixed with the Earl and Emmaline, will surely be the focus of a few of Mia’s upcoming Touch of Seduction novels.

LINKS TO PURCHASE
B&N Nook and Paper Books
Amazon Paper Books
Amazon Kindle
The Book Depository
KOBO

Copy supplied by the author.

Reviewed by Sandy

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THREAD OF DEATH (Elemental Assassin # 5.5) by Jennifer Estep-a review

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THREAD OF DEATH (Elemental Assassin #5.5) by Jennifer Estep-a review

THREAD OF DEATH by Jennifer Estep

REMINDER: Interview and Giveaway with Jennifer Estep on August 23, 2012

THREAD OF DEATH is an urban fantasy novella (released Jan 2012)  written by Jennifer Estep. Book 5.5 in Jennifer’s Elemental Assassin series, Thread of Death follows the heroine, Gin Blanco (aka the Spider) at the funeral of one of the Underworld’s most vial and frightening mob boss- Mab Monroe. But a little background information at this point may be useful to anyone who has not read the Elemental Assassin series.

Gin Blanco Is an assassin for hire in the corrupt town known as Ashland. The supernatural beings of the Underworld include dwarves, vampires, giants and elementals. The elementals are gifted with one of four affinities-air, stone, fire and ice, but in Gin’s case, she has been gifted with both stone and ice. Gin’s identity as the assassin Spider, is not known, but Thread of Death reveals both her elementals and her alter ego, to the seedy town of Ashland.

Gin Blanco is still recovering from her most recent encounter with Mab Monroe, and feels it is necessary to attend the fire-elemental’s funeral, much to the chagrin of her friends and lover. But Gin needs to see for herself, that Mab is truly dead. Many of the Underworld’s notorious villains and miscreants are also in attendance, including Mab’s former legal advisor Jonah McAllister and fellow crime boss Philip Kincaid.

But when gunfire breaks out, and it appears Gin is the intended target, all eyes turn to Gin as she changes roles from Gin to Spider. Knowing that the assassin Spider has now been exposed, she knowingly looks to Mab’s former legal advisor Jonah, and without a doubt, Gin knows that Jonah is behind the recent attempt on her life. Jonah will stop at nothing to expose Gin to the Underworld bosses, so they know exactly whom they are dealing with.

When the funeral service has finally ended, Gin remains to pay her respects, hoping to catch a glimpse, as to the contents of the casket, hoping to prove to herself, that Mab is truly gone, but one again, she is attacked. The dwarves are gunning for her head baring shovels and spades, only this time, Philip Kincaid witnesses the Spider in action.

Thread of Death, as a novella is a quick read. The story is written in first person point of view, with each chapter featuring a different narrator. The information revealed does not necessarily add to the storyline as a reader, but the information does allow for specific storylines in the future, now that the crime bosses are aware of Gin’s true identity as Spider. We are surprised, knowing, that perhaps Mab Monroe could possibly have survived the confrontation with Gin, but Gin’s preoccupation with the casket and its’ contents, makes you wonder—is Mab Monroe really dead? I am looking forward to By a Thread, to see what both Phillip and Jonah have in store for Gin. Thread of Death is a good segue for the next book-By A Thread

READING ORDER:

Spider’s Bargain (a free short)
Book 1–Spider’s Bite 
Web of Death (a free short story)
Book 2–Web of Lies 
Web of Deceit (free short)
Poison (free short)
Wasted (free short)
Book 3–Venom 
Tangled Dreams (free short)
Tangled Schemes (free short )
Book 4–Tangled Threads 
Book 5–Spider’s Revenge 
Book 6–By a Thread 
Book 7–Widow’s Web 
Bok 8–Deadly Sting- 2013

LINKS TO ORDER:
Amazon Kindle
B&N Nook
KOBO

Reviewed by Sandy

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WEB OF LIES (Elemental Assassin #2 ) by Jennifer Estep-a review

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WEB OF LIES (Elemental Assassin #2) by Jennifer Estep-a review

WEB OF LIES (Elemental Assassin #2) by Jennifer Estep

WEB OF LIES is the second novel in Jennifer Estep’s Urban Fantasy series Elemental Assassin focusing on the Elemental Assassin for hire –The Spider. Gin Blanco is the recently retired assassin, who begrudgingly stepped away from the profession for which she has been trained for over a decade. But a vendetta against a friend of her one-time mentor brings Gin out of retirement and once again onto the front lines of murder, mayhem and the mob. Only this time, several people are hoping The Spider dies, including a one-time lover who cannot get past-the past.

As Gin’s mentor, Fletcher Lane aka the Tin Man, had trained her well, but following his murder, Gin had decided to retire. Fletcher had raised Gin after her family was murdered by a Fire Elemental, and when he died, a few secrets about her past died with him. Running the Pork Pit in the corrupt town of Ashland kept Gin busy but an attempted robbery by the son of mob lawyer Jonah McAllister once again put Gin in the eye of the storm. And to complicate matters, both Jonah and his son would just as soon see Gin dead then press charges against the delinquent male.

Meanwhile a young woman comes looking for the Tin Man-that name was only known by those who associated with the assassin and who ever was looking for the man did not know he was dead. But when shots are fired into the Pork Pit, Gin goes hunting for who ever was aiming at the café. Only this time is wasn’t at Gin but at the young woman at the counter. Tobias Dawson was sending a message to Fletcher’s old friend Warren Fox and his granddaughter was the target. Tobias wanted his land.

Detective Donovan Caine returns as Gin’s former lover. Unable to handle the pressure associated with being The Spider’s man, Donovan continues to treat Gin like she has the plague, until the night his hormones take over and Gin hopes that the man she thought she once loved, would see that she was not his enemy. But ego and the law eat away at Donovan when as one of the detectives trying to clean up the corrupt Ashland Police Department, Donovan can no longer step aside and let Gin continue to kill for hire. Donovan’s feelings about Gin are raw and ugly, but when he walks away in disgust after finding her alive following a cave-in at the mines, Gin knows the pain of rejection and the heartache that accompanies a fall.

Gin needs a way to get close to the man hoping to kill Warren, but the only way was through a major soire at Mab Monroe’s. As the leader of the Ashland mob scene, Mab held all the cards as it pertains to the criminal element and its’ control. But something about Mab was familiar to Gin and the information hidden by Fletcher would hold the clues to the murder of Gin’s parents and the sister she once thought was dead. Only now, Mab is involved with the man gunning for Warren and the lands rights that he owns. But when Tobias Dawson is no longer in the picture, Gin will find she has become the target of two of Ashland’s most powerful criminals.

Along the way, we are introduced to Owen Grayson. A wealthy businessman, whose sister witnessed the attempted robbery at the Pork Pit and by the end of the story Owen has purchased the mines and lands in question and the sparks of a potential new relationship are looking up for the woman known as The Spider.

WEB OF LIES is another welcome storyline in Jennifer Estep’s Elemental Assassin series. Gin’s numerous losses of family and friend, is only highlighted by the tears that refuse to fall when the pain of rejection hurts almost as much as a broken jaw. Jennifer is a gifted and powerful writer that will keep you on the edge of the proverbial seat until the final chapter.

LINKS TO ORDER:
Amazon Kindle
Amazon paper books
B&N Nook and Paper books
KOBO

Reviewed by Sandy

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Spider’s Bite by Jennifer Estep – a Review

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Spider’s Bite by Jennifer Estep – a Review

Spider’s Bite is the first book in Jennifer Estep’s Elemental Assassin series.  In Spider’s Bite we meet our heroine, Gin Blanco immediately.  We learn that Gin is a hired assassin, who is paid big money to kill people.  When she isn’t killing, she works at a restaurant named the Pork Pit, run by Fletcher Lane, whom is Gin’s mentor and father figure.  When Gin was a child, her family was murdered, leaving her alone. It was Fletcher, who used to be an assassin before he retired to open his restaurant.  But Fletcher is the one who takes the calls, and sends Gin out to perform the deadly deed.

Gin is a Stone and Ice Elemental, but though she uses her powers sparingly, she is a wiz with a knife; is very smart, fast, elusive, cold and brutal, as she is considered the best assassin for hire.  Only those close to Gin, know that she is the Spider.  We see Gin in action in the beginning, taking out her target easily.  Fletcher tells her its time for her to consider to retire from this business, but one more job will pay them 5 million dollars. 

Of course, since this is the beginning of the book, you know things don’t end the way they planned, and retirement for Gin at this time is not in the cards.  When Gin is at the scene and ready to finish off her next target, there is a double cross, a betrayal, and Gin needs to escape quickly, but not before she took out other assassins out to kill her.  As she escapes, Gin hurries home worried, since she knows that the double cross came from those who hired her.  She finds Fletcher brutally murdered by another Elemental. Gin manages to save Fletchers son, and together they work to find who was behind the double cross, and murder of Fletcher.  Both Gin and Finn (the son) want revenge, and will do whatever it takes.  The so called good guy in this book, is Donavan Caine, a cop, who hates Gin, because she killed his partner.  Caine finds himself having to team up with Gin and Finn, as he himself is being framed.  He puts aside his hate and anger of Gin, and what she is, to find the real killers and who in the police department is working with the killers.  Gin and Donovan, though not totally romantic, find themselves having the hots for each other, and sex, not romance does happen.

Jennifer Estep has done an excellent job creating this world, which includes, magic, different types of elementals, vampires, dwarfs, & giants. She also brings in some really great secondary characters, which makes this story even better.  Gin is a great kick ass  heroine, despite her being assassin.  She is tough, aggressive, confident, but you can help but root for her.  She is that good.  Gin does have some ethics, as most of the people she is hired to kill have done bad things (rapists, murderers, etc), and she claims not to kill pets or children.

This is an exciting story from start to finish.  Estep adds humor in this story, alleviating the tension, and it works very well. The secondary characters do add so much to the story, such as Finn, a womanizer and techie;  her two dwarf  sister friends with magic..Sophia, who cleans up the murder scenes and is also the cook at the Pork Pit…Jo Jo, who is a healer.  The action is non stop, with twists right to the climatic ending, as Gin must face off against a strong and dangerous Air Elemental.  Along the way we find out more how Fletcher saved Gin, and how she became what she is.  I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and cannot wait to continue with the series. Jennifer Estep has created a fun and exciting new world in he Elemental Assassin series.

Reviewed by Barb

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Time Untime by Sherrilyn Kenyon – a Review

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Time Untime by Sherrilyn Kenyon – a Review

 

As I sit here attempting to write my review on Sherrilyn Kenyon‘s Time Untime, sorting  through my thoughts and feelings for this book, many words are running through my mind.  Words like, wow, amazing, shocking, action filled, emotional, touching,….yeah okay I think you get the picture, I loved it.  This book is a must read for any Kenyon fan and even if you aren’t a Kenyon fan you’d enjoy this book.  However, if you haven’t read Retribution, do so before reading Time Untime.  To me this is like the sequel as Kenyon laid the groundwork in Retribution, finishing it off with this story.  Ren, who we met in Retribution continues on his journey now and his story pics up where Retribution left off. 

There was so much that happens in this book, but if anyone who is a mythology junkie like me, then this book won’t disappoint you.  Kenyon brought in the Cherokee and Mayan myths that also happened to tie into the whole end of the world Mayan prophecy come December 2012 this year, but she also tied them up nicely with the Greek and Atlantean mythologies.  If Ren and Katari can’t defeat their enemies to reset the calendar then the seven gates open and all kinds of nasty comes gunning for humanity and the world.  These stories that are told throughout the entire book are very interesting and flow nicely with Ren and Kateri’s journey to not only finding each other, but working together to save the world. 

Just when you think Kenyon can’t create another tortured hero without it becoming redundant, she goes and proves us wrong.  Ren Waya (short for Renegade, the name he choose when he was reborn a DH) is the son of a Greek goddess and Mayan Chieftan.  With this heritage one would think he’d be held in high esteem, but it doesn’t.  His mother’s pantheon exiles her (Zeus once again proves he’s a major horses behind) and Ren’s father disowns him leaving him for dead, not once but twice. Thanks to Artemis (it pains me to type her name) she assigns a Demon to nurse Ren till he is returned to his father, to which is father is not happy about. From this point on his life doesn’t improve. He’s ridiculed, made fun of, mocked, beaten, all because his father doesn’t want him and he stutters, as a result of being nursed by a Demon and only known that language at first.  As a result of his hellish life Ren is duped into walking down the darkened path, then finding redemption, only to be betrayed by his own brother Coyote, which causes him to become a Dark Hunter.

Kateri Avani is a scientist/geologist but also a descendant of the First Guardian and last of her bloodline, which is responsible for protecting the stone needed to reset the calendar.  She is also the cousin of Sunshine Runningwolf and sister-in-law to Talon, but is completely oblivious to who and what her relatives really are.  It isn’t until she’s attacked in her lab for her stone that her world is turned upside down.  Kateri is quickly introduced to the world of preternatural beings and what her role in all of it is.  Seeing as she had no clue about any of this she takes it all rather well, and handles what’s thrown at her time and again as they rush to the Valley of Fire to reset the Calendar.  Along the way however, she finds she’s falling for her DH/Mayan Warrior not sure what to make of all the visions regarding him she’s had in her life.

As I said much happened in this book and would take me forever to go through it all.  It was well written and kept you on the edge of your seat, not wanting to put the book down.  It had you laughing at the camaraderie between Ren and the gang (Sundown, Cabezel, Sasha, Ash, Nick, Talon, Rain Runningwolf, and Urian).  Then in the next breath it had you aching for the pain and hardship that Ren went through in his long existence.  We get to watch a warrior who is stripped down to his lowest point only to build himself back up again and learn to trust, believe and even love again.  His journey throughout this story is beautifully written.  One of my favorite scenes and best written scenes in my opinion is Ren’s rebirth to a human.  The way Kenyon wrote that scene, and having Nick a part of it to help Kateri through it brought tears to my eyes and proves that there is hope for Nick yet. 

Another favorite part of the story for me was the many appearances of Ash.  He’s been in the background far too long lately and it was nice to see him return to action and help his friends out.  I had to laugh every time someone saw Ash and his new hair.  Those scenes were classic Kenyon humor, which she uses perfectly to balance out her story alongside the whole end of the world scenario with Ren and Kateri battling to save the world and each other.   As well, there is a scene between Ash and Nick that will have you shedding a few tears at what has become of Nick so far and what will become of Nick if he can’t control the darkness inside him.  We get to see the two of them really open up about everything and finally make some headway towards maybe helping each other, instead of being at odds.  It’s a very touching scene, one that answers some questions, but also leaves you with questions for the future.  For anyone who has been upset at Nick lately, your outlook on him will be very different and have you doing a complete 180 turn around where he is concerned.  This is Kenyon at her best. 

As I said in the beginning of the review, this story is amazing and another hit for Kenyon and her Dark Hunter series. A must read and I have no problem recommending it to everyone. If I may, I’d like to leave you with a few treats this time. When I was reading this book a new song by Alanis Morissette came on the radio one day and it instantly made me think of Ren and Kateri.  To hear the song and watch the music video, you can go to his link; http://www.alanis.com/

As well, to get you all ready for the next Dark Hunter book Styxx, yes that’s right, Ash’s brother is getting his story told next.  Here’s a link to a snippet from his story that Kenyon posted the other day to her FB page. 
http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=10150970261575810

Enjoy,

Reviewed By Marcie

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Katie Reus-Guest Post and Giveaway with the author

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KATIE REUS-Guest Post with the author

Thank you so much for having me here today!

People often ask me questions about my writing process including how I come up with character names or I how I keep everything straight in a series. Coming up with character names is one of my favorite things to do in the writing process. I have a couple baby books I’ll browse and there are three or four baby naming websites I like to check out for inspiration. Usually I know my character’s heritage so if they’re Irish, Greek, Native American, Jamaican, etc. it’s much easier to narrow down names and their meanings as there are also genealogy sites I can utilize.

In my Moon Shifter series the Cordona females in the pack are all originally from Spain. Most were actually born there, but some of them were born in the States. So when picking names I took into account their heritage, which is very important to their pack. It was a lot of fun naming so many people and after a while I realized I needed to create something to keep track of things. So, I created my ‘character keeper’. It helps me stay organized and keep track of who’s mated/married to whom, names of parents, siblings, children, and what the individual looks like in human and wolf form, etc. Right now I’m working on the fourth book in the series and I’m afraid I would have gone mad a long time ago without my ‘bible’ to keep me on track.

A little over a week ago LOVER’S INSTINCT, a novella in my Moon Shifter series, released. My heroine’s name is Esperanze and it means ‘hope’. My hero’s name is Nikan, which means ‘loyal friend’ or ‘my friend’. It fits both their personalities perfect. I hope you enjoyed reading a little about what goes on during my writing process!

Do you know what the meaning of your name is? If so please share and be entered to win a print copy of Primal Possession, the second book in my Moon Shifter series (US only), which is releasing in a couple weeks. If you’d just like to leave a comment, that’s cool too! You’ll still be entered.

About Lover’s Instinct:

Lupine shifter Nikan Lawless has it bad for Esperanze Cordona, the sweet and curvy woman who only views him as a friend. But when Nikan is assigned to act as Esperanze’s bodyguard during a weekend education conference, he knows it’s the perfect opportunity to seduce her off her feet—away from the pack.

To put his plan into motion Nikan cancels one of their hotel rooms, giving them time to get to know one another in a whole different way. But when a man from Esperanze’s past shows up in need of help, Nikan must shield her from a group of dangerous rogue shifters, all while trying to prove that they’re destined to be mates.

Purchase info: Amazon Kindle, B&N Nook, iTunes

A little about Katie: I’ve been reading romance since a young age—ever since I discovered my mom’s hidden stash. Luckily the addiction stayed with me into adulthood. I write paranormal romance and sexy romantic suspense for Carina Press, Harlequin Nocturne, and NAL Signet Eclipse/Penguin. To learn more about me please visit Website, My Blog, Facebook or find me on twitter @katiereus.

Katie Reus is offering a paper copy of her September release PRIMAL POSSESSION to ONE lucky member of The Reading Cafe.

1.  You must be a member at The Reading Cafe.  If you are not a member, please register using the log-in at the top of the page or by using one of the social log-ins.

2.  If you are using a social log-in such as Twitter, please post your email address with your comment, as Twitter does not allow for an email addres.

3.  The giveaway is open to continental USA only.

4. The giveaway runs from August 17-19, 2012

 

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