Tag Archives: Paranormal Romance

Viking Warrior Rising (Viking Warriors #1) by Asa Maria Bradley-a review

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Viking Warrior Rising (Viking Warriors #1) by Asa Maria Bradley-a review

Viking Warrior Rising

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Immortal Vikings are among us.

Leif Skarsganger and his elite band of immortal warriors have been charged to protect humanity from the evil Norse god Loki.

Under attack from Loki’s minions, Leif is shocked to encounter a dark-haired beauty who fights like a warrior herself. Wounded and feverish, the Viking kisses her, inadvertently triggering an ancient Norse bond. But when Naya Brisbane breaks away and disappears before the bond is completed, Leif’s warrior spirit goes berserk. If Leif doesn’t find her fast, he’s going to lose himself to permanent battle fury.

But Naya doesn’t want to be found…and he’ll do anything to find her. Because they’re both running out of time.

REVIEW

4 out of 5 for this reader folks!

Viking Warrior Rising by Asa Maria Bradley is the first book in a new paranormal romance called “Viking Warriors” Following the common formula of a team of warriors vs villains, with a big dash of yummy romance, I have to say that I really enjoyed this book.

Leif Skarsganger is the king of an elite crew of viking warriors that are constantly in battle with the evil god Loki. Each warrior has been specially selected and enhanced by the good god Odin. Always ready to fight, these warriors are lethal and mean business. Leif’s inner beserker is constantly restless and fighting to get out. Knowing his grip of control is slipping, Leif goes out to feed off human energy. While feeding, Leif is severely attacked. His time is almost up when a small female warrior comes out of no where and saves his life.

Naya Brisbane has been on the run for quite some time. Having been imprisoned in a lab that has altered her strength among other things, it is her instincts and need to survive that keep her thriving. When she happens upon a man getting his butt kicked she reluctantly decides to intervene. Little does she know that this intervention is about to change her entire future. It starts with one brief kiss.

Having launched a mating bond, Leif decides that he is going to claim his mate. Naya admits her attraction but she knows she is in no position to surrender to Leif. Both are completely stubborn, keep secrets and seem to always require to save the other. Despite giving in to the attraction, Naya feels that a major secret she is keeping will destroy any bond between her and Leif. Trying to protect herself and her brother from the lab that created them, it is suddenly her heart that can bring everything crashing down. Leif’s beserker is getting more violent and it appears that Naya is the only way to calm it. All Leif has to do is properly seduce Naya to make her his queen.

I love the introduction of new group of warriors. Similar to the gritty BDB series it is clear to see that her next books will be full of love, battle and adventure. I love the twist of the viking gods that is the baseline of this entire story. Asa’s use of mythology really adds dimension. Full of fighting, attraction, good and evil, and a splash of humour, I will most definitely be looking forward to the next in this awesome series.

HAPPY READING! 🙂

Copy supplied by Netgalley

Reviewed by Rachel T.

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The Single Undead Moms Club by Molly Harper-a review

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THE SINGLE UNDEAD MOMS CLUB (Half Moon Hollow 4) by Molly Harper-a review

The Single Undead Moms Club

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date October 27, 3015

Widow Libby Stratton arranged to be turned into a vampire after she was diagnosed with late-stage cancer. It wasn’t the best idea she’s ever had, but she was desperate—she’s not about to leave her seven-year-old son to be raised by her rigid, overbearing in-laws.

On top of post-turning transition issues, like being ignored at PTA meetings and other mothers rejecting her son’s invitations for sleepovers, Libby must deal with her father-in-law’s attempts to declare her an unfit mother, her growing feelings for Wade—a tattooed redneck single dad she met while hiding in a closet at Back to School Night—and the return of her sire, who hasn’t stopped thinking about brave, snarky Libby since he turned her.

••••••••••••••••

REVIEW: THE SINGLE UNDEAD MOMS CLUB is the fourth installment in Molly Harper’s adult, contemporary Half Moon Hollow paranormal romance series- spin off from Harper’s Jane Jameson series. This is widow/single mom Libby Stratton, and tattooed mechanic, single father Wade Tucker’s storyline. THE SINGLE UNDEAD MOMS CLUB can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty.

Told from first person point of view (Libby) THE SINGLE UNDEAD MOMS CLUB follows Libby after her ‘transition’ to vampire by an unknown sire. As a single mom to six year old Danny, Libby was struggling to survive. Leukemia was slowly killing our heroine; her husband had been dead for a couple of years, and she refused to allow her anal-retentive inlaws total control of her son, so Libby did what she thought was best and placed a ‘Craigslist’ ad for a vampire sire-Libby wanted to raise her son and turning vampire was the only way she could ‘survive’. What ensues are the usual PTA grumblings about a vampire volunteer, hatred towards the supernatural species, and a love affair with a single dad whose son becomes best friends with Libby’s boy. Meanwhile, Libby continues to have haunting erotic dreams about the sire she knows nothing about-a man who will try to seduce the ‘childe’ he sired and left behind.

THE SINGLE UNDEAD MOMS CLUB is an ensemble storyline with several secondary and supporting characters including many of the couples from Harper’s Jane Jameson series-vampires Jane and Gabriel; Dick and Andrea; Nola and shifter Jed; werewolf Zeb and his mate Jolene; and Iris and Cal (The Care and Feeding of Stray Vampires #1). We are also introduced to Libby’s former in-laws-Les and Marge-whose dislike of all things supernatural begins to fester like an open wound that refuses to heal.

Molly Harper adds her usual flare of the sarcastic banter, witty comebacks and one-liners that will have you grinning and giggling at the most inopportune times. Libby’s journey finds our heroine defending her ability to raise a human child against the PTA and her former inlaws who continue to add fuel to an already burning fire.

THE SINGLE UNDEAD MOMS CLUB is a fun, flirty and sexy read with an assortment of vampires, witches, werewolves and shifters who are brought together to celebrate the birthday of a six year old boy. Jane will take on the role of mentor to Libby’s newfound vampirism but it is the identity of Libby’s sire, and his connections to Libby’s past that will raise a few eyebrows in the supernatural community.

Molly Harper’s sense of humor and comedic timing merits a place on my ‘go-to’ list every time.

The Care and Feeding of Stray Vampires
A Witch’s Handbook of Kisses and Curses
Undead Sublet(Novella)
I’m Dreaming of an Undead Christmas
The Dangers of Dating A Rebound Vampire
The Single Undead Moms Club (October 2015)
Fangs for the Memories (Novella-November 2015)

Copy supplied by the publisher

Reviewed by Sandy

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Chase the Darkness (Alpha Pack #7) by J. D. Tyler-Review and Giveaway

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CHASE THE DARKNESS (Alpha Pack #7) by JD Tyler-Review and Giveaway

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Chase The Darkness
Alpha Pack #7
by JD Tyler
Genre: adult, contemporary, paranormal romance, action
Release Date: August 4, 2015

Chase The Darkness

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date August 4, 2015

Believed dead by his Pack mates, Micah Chase, a wolf shifter and Dreamwalker, was held captive for months, subject to tortures that left him physically scarred and emotionally unsettled.

Now under the care of the Alpha Pack’s doctors, he’s been prescribed an experimental healing drug, but he still can’t shake the nightmares. Even more damning is that Micah’s problems pose a danger to his team, and if he doesn’t get himself under control, they’ll all suffer a terrible fate.

There is a key to his salvation. Jacee is a beautiful coyote shifter, and though her kind is hated, she’s falling in love with a man whose very future is in her hands. Together they’ll face his personal demons as well as a deadly enemy—and for both of them desire has never come with such risk.

••••••••••••••••••

REVIEW: CHASE THE DARKNESS is the seventh installment in J.D. Tyler’s adult, contemporary Alpha Pack paranormal romance series. This is wolf shifter/Dreamwalker Micah Chase, and coyote shifter Jacee Buchanan’s storyline. CHASE THE DARKNESS can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information is revealed where necessary.

SOME BACKGROUND: The series history reveals that a group of psychic Navy Seals had been biologically enhanced and experimentally forced into a lifestyle not of their choosing, waking to a new world as shifters and wolves. Finding their way back, they will come under the command of Nick Westfall and his Pack.

Told from third person point of view CHASE THE DARKNESS follows Micah Chase as he endures constant pain and the guilt following several months of torture that has left him physically and emotionally scarred. Micah has found his mate in bartender/coyote shifter Jacee Buchanan but keeps secrets his addiction to the medication that is slowly destroying his internal DNA. What ensues are Micah’s attempts to get clean and sober while battling a dangerous but unknown enemy seeking retribution and revenge, from Micah’s resent past.

The relationship between Micah and Jacee is one of immediate attraction. Micah and Jacee know they are mates, and neither one struggles with the reality of the situation-they are accepting of their circumstances and future together. Micah is determined to get clean for his new mate but his continuous need for the drug find Micah battling his addiction and craving. The $ex scenes are intimate without the over the top erotic content.

The secondary and supporting characters include many of the previous storyline couples including Micah’s sister Rowan and her mate Aric. We are also introduced to a couple of ‘feathered’ shifters whose connection to Micah’s finds Micah and his mate a target of revenge.

The world building continues to focus on the Alpha Pack shifters, vampires, and fae; their mates and growing families. With each storyline JD Tyler reveals the history and what ensued to create the new breed of wolf shifters led by Alpha Nick Westfall. CHASE THE DARKNESS uncovers the horrors inflicted upon the shifters and the truth about Micah and what he was forced to do while in captivity.

I did have one issue with this particular storyline as it pertained to Jacee’s history with one of Micah’s shifter Pack mates. She was in a previous relationship for close to a year with another wolf but when he found his mate, Jacee seems to have been named the local whore and there is no explanation as to the reasons why this particular female was the victim of such callous and misogynistic attacks against her character and personality. It left me perplexed and slightly irritated that a woman be called a whore when her only sin was to be in a relationship with a man who wasn’t her mate. There was nothing about this particular scenario that added anything important to the overall storyline premise and should have been excluded from the story.

CHASE THE DARKNESS is a story of addiction and struggle; betrayal and revenge; love and understanding. If you are a fan of the shifter storylines with fated mates and happily ever afters then CHASE THE DARKNESS and the Alpha Pack are a great series to add to your reading library.

Copy supplied by the publisher by Netgalley.

Reviewed by Sandy

giveaway

The Reading Cafe and JD Tyler’s publisher are offering a paper copy of CHASE THE DARKNESS to ONE (1) lucky commenter at The Reading Cafe.

1. If you have not previously registered at The Reading Cafe, please register by using the log-in at the top of the page (side bar) or by using one of the social log-ins.

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5. LIKE us on FACEBOOK and then click GET NOTIFICATION under ‘liked’ for an additional entry.

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8. Giveaway open to USA only.

9. Giveaway runs from August 4-8, 2015

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Her Sinful Angel (Her Angel #8) by Felicity Heaton-Review, Book Tour & Giveaway

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HER SINFUL ANGEL (Her Angel #8) by Felicity Heaton-Review, Book tour & Giveaway

Her Sinful Angel Banner

Her Sinful Angel
Her Angel #8
by Felicity Heaton
Genre: adult, fantasy, paranormal romance
Release Date: August 1, 2015

Her Sinful Angel

Find out how to enter the Her Sinful Angel international giveaway (ends August 9th) and be in with a shot of winning a $75, $50 or $25 gift certificate at her website, where you can also download a 5 chapter sample of the novel: Felicity Heaton

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Google Play / KOBO /

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date August 1, 2015

Cast out of Heaven and now the king of Hell, Lucifer is a powerful fallen angel warrior with a heart as cold as ice and soul as black as the bottomless pit. For millennia, he has ruled his realm with an iron fist as he plots the demise of his ancient enemies. When one of those enemies dumps an unconscious mortal female in the courtyard of his fortress and leaves her there, Lucifer finds himself entranced by the beguiling beauty and tempted beyond all reason. But is the enchanting Nina an innocent pawn in the eternal game or part of a plot against him?

Also available as part of the Dark And Damaged boxed set (June 2015)

•••••••••••

REVIEW: HER SINFUL ANGEL is the eighth installment in Felicity Heaton’s Her Angel paranormal romance series. This is the King of Hell –Lucifer- and human female Nina’s storyline. Although Her Sinful Angel is the eighth book in the series, it can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Some of the characters from previous storylines have secondary and supporting roles.

Told from third person point of view HER SINFUL ANGEL follows Lucifer as he unknowingly begins to fall for a human female that has been dumped in Hell’s courtyard by one of Heaven’s angels. What ensues is a building relationship between Nina and Lucifer, one both blessed and cursed by Heaven itself. Lucifer is a changed man; a changed demon who no longer destroys what is left of the souls of the angels who have fallen from Heaven, but in this ,the character of Lucifer seems to have lost some of his edge. Lucifer is not the Devil of our childhood nightmares but a man who is lonely and unaware of the empty hole in what’s left of his heart.

Nina remembers very little about the circumstances surrounding her abduction and arrival in Hell-in fact-she has no idea where she is or why anyone would want to kidnap her. Within hours of her arrival Nina finds herself falling for the man whose powers are unlike anything she has ever seen before. The entire storyline covers but 24 to 48 hours.

The relationship between Nina and Lucifer is quick to develop although Nina is unaware of Lucifer’s true identity and the power that he controls. When one of Heaven’s angels demands Nina’s return to the human realm, Lucifer becomes both guardian and protector of the woman with whom he is falling in love. The $ex scenes are intimate and seductive. There is a reason Heaven has placed Nina in Lucifer’s arms.

Several of the previous storyline characters make a cameo appearance including Erin and Veiron,; Asmodeus and Liora; as Lucifer continues to battle Heaven’s angels. Heaven wants something from Lucifer but the Devil refuses to hand over what belongs to him.

Felicity Heaton continues to focus on the Fallen-the Angels who have been thrown out of Heaven and whose life will be saved by the woman who calls to his heart. Each of her storyline heroes is dark, damaged and oft times broken; the females are perfectly matched in beauty and mind. HER SINFUL ANGEL reveals that even the Devil has a little light remaining his soul and all it takes is love to break through and allow that light to shine.

Because the majority of the storyline is a written narrative, there is very little communication between our leading couple as per Felicity’s style of writing. Most of the background, history and storyline are revealed through memories, thoughts and observations.

Reviewed by Sandy

NOTE: HER DARK ANGEL (Her Angel #1) is FREE: Amazon.com / Amazon.ca /B&N

Books in the Her Angel paranormal romance series:

Book 1: Her Dark Angel – FREE in ebook at selected retailers

Book 2: Her Fallen Angel
Book 3: Her Warrior Angel
Book 4: Her Guardian Angel
Book 5: Her Demonic Angel
Book 6: Her Wicked Angel
Book 7: Her Avenging Angel
Book 8: Her Sinful Angel

excerpt

It had started out like any other day in his kingdom.
He had risen at seven sharp, based on Greenwich Mean Time, and had crossed the black stone floor of his expansive bedroom to his equally as impressive bathroom. There he had showered and carefully attended to his grooming. With a black towel slung low around his hips, he had ventured into his wardrobe to select one of the black tailored suits that hung from numerous rails.It had gone downhill from there.He had found the suit he had desired to wear, only to discover a crease pressed into the finely woven wool fabric.That had led to the first death of the day.The impudent fallen angel who had been responsible for ensuring his wardrobe was perfect had been sent back to Heaven.With his wings missing.
And in pieces.The last part wasn’t his fault. The idiot should have remembered to teleport before hitting the pavement of the courtyard far below the black fortress in the bottomless pit of Hell.
Of course, it might have helped if he had allowed the maggot to retain his ability to teleport.Lucifer smiled grimly to himself and flicked a speck of dust off the right sleeve of his newly-pressed suit, his golden eyes fixed on the black cragged lands beyond the window of his study.Breakfast had been a rather sober affair this morning. His attendants were on edge around him today, more than they usually were anyway. He couldn’t think why. Perhaps it had something to do with the fact that they had narrowly avoided being hit by the falling angel when they had been crossing the courtyard.
A chuckle slipped from his lips as a replay of the event played across his mind.
By now, all of Hell would know he was not in a good mood.
He had planned to improve it by heading out to the distant plateau where Heaven had stationed a group of angels and use the power of his voice to see if he could sway a weak one into falling. There was a space in his ranks that needed filling, and corrupting angels always brightened the dreariest of days.
A pale orange glow lit the wall of black rock beneath the plateau, adding a dash of colour.
He despised that band of gold.
The lava river encircled his fortress and marked a boundary that by law he couldn’t cross, not until the time between his scheduled battles with Apollyon, an angel who had served Heaven for centuries before turning his back on that realm for the sake of a woman, had passed.
Lucifer hadn’t won one in centuries. He had taken several for the team without receiving any shred of gratitude in return, allowing the angel to defeat him so he would remain trapped in the bottomless pit and a band of fallen angels bent on destroying the mortal world would remain caged here with him.
Of course, it might have helped if he had informed Apollyon that he was losing on purpose, but storing up his losses and waiting for the perfect opportunity to mention to the angel what he had been doing all these millennia had been too enticing to resist.
His smile stretched a little wider.
It had been most satisfying to reveal to the angel just a few weeks ago that his hard won victories had been hollow and see the look on the bastard’s face.
The momentary flicker of pleasure that shot through his veins dimmed as he lowered his gaze back to the courtyard and it fixed on the current thorn in his side.
There was no chance of improving his mood now. It had hit rock bottom, thanks to a certain angel of Heaven.
Mihail.
When he discovered who had awoken the angel to his true purpose, restoring his memories at the same time, he would send his finest legion to Heaven to destroy them.
The angel flicked his long white hair over his shoulder but kept his icy blue eyes locked on Lucifer. The silent challenge they issued didn’t go unnoticed, but Lucifer knew better than to rise to it. Mihail couldn’t enter his fortress, thanks to powerful wards Lucifer had put in place after their last battle.
A fight that had seen almost half of Hell destroyed and turned to rubble.
Lucifer had enjoyed the millennia of peace that had come afterwards. Battling Apollyon was merely a workout for him, but fighting Mihail was a war and one that could easily claim his life. Only Mihail held the power to truly defeat him. Apollyon could only wound him.
Mihail could kill him.
Lucifer had no interest in dying and being thrust into limbo, wandering eternity as nothing more than a soul, maddened by being caged in a bleak world where he couldn’t communicate with those around him and tormented by his sins.
Not until he had settled a score with his former master and had his vengeance.
Not even then.
He never wanted to go to that dark place few angels knew existed.
Those who didn’t know of it had no fear of death, trusting they would be reborn in Heaven upon their demise, restored to their former glory, albeit without memories of their previous life.
The fools.
Lucifer knew better.
He had seen the corrupted souls of angels in the far reaches of his realm, heard their whispers on the wind and felt their suffering in his blood.
True death was possible for any angel.
He knew because he had killed one on occasion, damning them to a hellish existence.
Lucifer would damn Mihail in the same manner without even flinching if he had the chance.
The white-haired angel moved a step closer, his enormous glossy white wings shifting with the action, stark against the black pavement of the semi-circular courtyard and the obsidian armour he wore. The patches of golden skin visible between the black greaves that encased his shins, the strips of black that protected his hips, his short black breastplate and his vambraces that shielded his forearms bore tattoos now when once they had been clean and pure.
Lucifer’s smile returned.
Mostly because he felt sure that the bastard angel despised those tattoos and the one who had put them there—the fallen angel this male was linked to through duty and powers.
If Lucifer had the power, he would gift those angels who were linked to Mihail and his brethren with the ability to do more than merely change their skin by adding ink that would also appear on their counterpart. He would give them the power to amend their appearance in other ways. He wasn’t talking about haircuts and piercings.
He was talking about wounds.
Mihail spread his white wings, regaining Lucifer’s attention, but not for long. It drifted away again, his gaze roaming downwards and across the courtyard, to the prone mortal that lay like an offering on an altar between his fortress and the angel.
A woman.
Lucifer’s golden gaze narrowed on her and questions filled his mind again, ones that wouldn’t be ignored this time. Why had Mihail dumped an unconscious female in his courtyard?
Was she bait?

About The Author

Felicity HeatonFelicity Heaton is a New York Times and USA Today international best-selling author writing passionate paranormal romance books. In her books, she creates detailed worlds, twisting plots, mind-blowing action, intense emotion and heart-stopping romances with leading men that vary from dark deadly vampires to sexy shape-shifters and wicked werewolves, to sinful angels and hot demons! If you’re a fan of paranormal romance authors Lara Adrian, J R Ward, Sherrilyn Kenyon, Gena Showalter and Christine Feehan then you will enjoy her books too.

 

If you love your angels a little dark and wicked, the best-selling Her Angel series is for you. If you like strong, powerful, and dark vampires then try the Vampires Realm series or any of her stand-alone vampire romance books. If you’re looking for vampire romances that are sinful, passionate and erotic then try the best-selling Vampire Erotic Theatre series. Or if you prefer huge detailed worlds filled with hot-blooded alpha males in every species, from elves to demons to dragons to shifters and angels, then take a look at the new Eternal Mates series.

If you want to know more about Felicity, or want to get in touch, you can find her at the following places:

Website: http://www.felicityheaton.co.uk
Blog: http://www.felicityheaton.co.uk/blog/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/felicityheaton
Twitter: http://twitter.com/felicityheaton
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/felicityheaton

giveaway

Felicity is offering an ecopy of any ONE(1) of her MY ANGEL series ebooks to ONE(1) lucky commenter at The Reading Cafe.

NOTE: HER DARK ANGEL (Her Angel #1) is FREE: Amazon.com / Amazon.ca /B&N

1. If you have not previously registered, please register using the log-in at the top of the page (side bar) or by using one of the social log-ins.

2. If you are using a social log-in such as Twitter or Facebook, please post your email address with your comment.

3. LIKE Felicity Heaton on TWITTER

4. Sign up for Felicity Heaton’s NEWSLETTER

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9. Giveaway open Internationally

10. Giveaway runs from July 31 to August 4, 2015

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Edge of Darkness Anthology by Christine Feehan, Maggie Shayne & Lori Herter-a review

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EDGE OF DARKNESS Anthology by Christine Feehan, Maggie Shayne & Lori Herter-a review

Edge of Darkness

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO / The Book Depository/ BAM

ABOUT THE BOOK : Release Date August 4, 2015

Dark Crime by Christine Feehan

Blaze knows who killed her father and she has merciless plans for payback. Until a phone call from a seductive stranger pleads with her to wait. Retribution is in his blood, too. Now, he and Blaze will be united in the blood of the guilty. Tonight, vengeance is theirs.

REVIEW: DARK CRIME is the latest installment (26.5) in Christine Feehan’s CARPATHIAN paranormal romance DARK series and reads like a full length storyline. This is Carpathian Maxim Volkov and bar owner Blaze McGuire’s storyline. DARK CRIME can be read as a stand alone (with some difficulty) but if you are not familiar with Ms. Feehan’s DARK series some background information may be necessary for cohesion and familiarity with the Carpathian history. The storyline takes place in Chicago, Illinois.

Christine Feehan introduces several new characters to her series with Maxim and Blaze’s storyline. Maxim is an ancient, who along with his fellow Carpathians Tariq Asenguard and the triplets- Mataias, Lojos and Tomas- find themselves on the hunt for a master vampire whose minions are wreaking havoc with business owners, the homeless and missing children. Blaze and her best friend Emeline are the vampire’s next intended victims.

DARK CRIME is an erotic paranormal romance with scenarios of graphic violence involving women and children, as well as the usual vampire blood shed, death and destruction. The $ex scenes are provocative and erotic-another ancient Carpathian has found his lifemate following hundreds of years of no emotions and no color; the romance is very quick to build and easily accepted by the storyline heroine; the revelation of the master vampire brings with it a former enemy who has made a pact with the devil.

Sadly, I do have an issue with Christine Feehan’s lack of originality when it comes to her storyline character’s names. This has been a major bone of contention for me throughout all of her series as well as using the same names between series e.g. Stefan has been used 3 times in the DARK series, as well as in 3 of her 4 other series. Duplication of names and their derivatives is a constant in the DARK series: Matias twice; Matt /Matthew 4 times; Henry and derivatives 4 times; John 4 times; Paul 4 times; Peter 4 times; Robert or Roberto 5 times; Tom/Thomas 5 times; and the list goes on). Maxim is a name that has been used twice in the DARK series for major characters-once for an ancient Carpathian-Maxim Malinov- who turned vampire and was killed, and now with Maxim Volkov in Dark Crime. The duplication can lead to confusion, especially with the similarity between surnames as well.

•••••••••••••••••••

Dead by Twilight by Maggie Shayne

Bloodsuckers may be an accepted minority but one of them is getting away with murder. Until a female vamp teams with a mortal detective to end the killing spree. Now the night belongs to them—and so does every pleasure and danger lurking in the shadows.

REVIEW: DEAD BY TWILIGHT is Maggie Shayne’s latest novella in her Wings in the Night: Reborn paranormal, romance series. This is vampire/cop Chloe Madison, and Officer Shepherd Daniels storyline that focuses on the formation of the Vampire Crimes Unit and the hunt for a rogue vampire on a killing spree throughout the town.

Chloe is a reluctant vampire; turned on the night of her senior prom in 1955; and a woman who refuses to be a predator in a world where vampires are at the top of the proverbial food chain. When Chloe and Shep are tasked with investigating a series of killings by a rogue vampire, Chloe knows that to reveal her true nature would mean the end to her career and a potential target on her head.

Maggie Shayne invites the reader into her entertaining world of vampires with a little bit of humor and romance; mystery and suspense. The storyline covers about 24-48 hours in the life with a prologue that looks at Chloe’s initiation into the world of vampires and blood.

•••••••••••••••

Cimarron Spirit by Lori Herter

While excavating an Anasazi ruin, archeologist Annie Carmichael uncovers the resting place of a centuries-old vampire who finds in Annie the liberating mate he has longed for. But how much is Annie expected—or willing—to surrender for the man she now desires?

REVIEW: CIMARRON SPIRIT is part 1 of Lori Herter’s paranormal Cimarron Series. This is five hundred year old vampire Rafael de la Vega, and archeologist Annie Carmichael’s story-a story of forbidden love with a slight love triangle premise.

Annie is an archeologist who has been excavating an ancient Anasazi site near Phoenix, Arizona but what Annie uncovers is nothing short of unbelievable. While living and digging on Brent Logan’s ranch, Annie finds herself torn between what is safe, and what it is she wants. Rafael de La Vega, Brent’s closest neighbor and the man with whom Brent has been in a legal tug of war, is a vampire who calls to Annie’s heart.

CIMARRON SPIRIT introduces the major characters of Lori’s Cimarron series, Rafael’s history, his years as a lone vampire, and his need for Annie Carmichael. Annie is a divorcee who was about to settle down with a man she did not love until Rafael showed her what it was like to be a part of his world.

CIMARRON SPIRIT is part one in Lori Herter’s paranormal Cimarron romance series and thusly ends rather abruptly without explanation. To read about what happens to our storyline couple Cimarron Secrets –part 2-will be released August 7, 2015.

•••••••••••••••••••

EDGE OF DARKNESS looks at three distinctively different writing styles from three paranormal romance authors. Feehan and Shayne offer up works from existing series, while Herter introduces a new series about vampire Rafael de la Vega. Christine Feehan’s DARK CRIMES is infinitely more detailed, and sexually graphic with scenarios of violence against women and children; Shayne and Herter barely touch upon the sexual aspects of their storylines.

I will admit my interest in this anthology has everything to do with Christine Feehan’s DARK CRIMES-a series I have been reading for a number of years. Shayne and Herter’s novellas add some quick, light reads for those that enjoy a little bit of paranormal romance without the sexually erotic factor.

Copy supplied by the publisher

Reviewed by Sandy

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Burned by Darkness (Dragons of Eternity #1) by Alexandra Ivy-a review

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BURNED BY DARKNESS (Dragons of Eternity #1) by Alexandra Ivy-a review

Burned by Darkness

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO /

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date June 30, 2015

The Dragons of Eternity were once creatures of myth and legend. Now they’ve returned to the world, prepared to claim what’s rightfully theirs…

Tayla is desperate for a place to call home. After years on the run, the young imp impulsively buys a teahouse and is determined to build a new life. Unfortunately, she’s barely opened the doors when she’s tracked down by the dragon who purchased her from troll slave-traders. He demands she pay off her debts…in his harem.

Baine has devoted a quarter of a century to tracking down his beautiful concubine. And now that he has her in his grasp, he’s not about to let her go. But it’s soon apparent that he isn’t the only demon hunting her. He must uncover her secrets or risk losing her forever.

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REVIEW: BURNED BY DARKNESS is the first installment in Alexandra Ivy’s adult, contemporary, new Dragons of Eternity paranormal romance series-a spin off from Alexandra’s Guardians of Eternity PNR series. This is dragon shifter Baine, and imp Tayla’s storyline. Our little gargoyle Levet crosses over and establishes himself a match making business .

Told from several third person perspectives BURNED BY DARKNESS finds our heroine on the run. For twenty five years Tayla has barely stayed one step ahead of the dragon who seeks Tayla as part of his hoard. What Tayla doesn’t know is that she is payment for a debt owed by someone close-someone she hasn’t seen or heard from in years. What ensues is a building relationship between Tayla and Baine, and Baine’s need to claim Tayla as his mate.

BURNED BY DARKNESS is a quick read that focuses on the history between dragons, imps, demons and fae. There is also a hierarchy of dragon power that finds Baine at the helm of his own following, but one that does not usurp the power of the man who sired our hero. Baine’s father wants Tayla for his own purpose, but Baine must ensure that Tayla is protected at all times.

The relationship between Tayla and Baine is acrimonious as Tayla has been on the run from Baine and his father. But there is a definite attraction between our leading couple, one that does not go unnoticed by a perpetually nosy gargoyle, or Baine’s assistant-half dragon-Char. The $ex scenes are limited in number; there is some spark and heat where it concerns Tayla and Baine’s sexual activity.

BURNED BY DARKNESS includes plenty of humor thanks to Levet and his inability to use modern English slang. Alexandra Ivy introduces her readers to another entertaining and wonderful paranormal series that is very similar in style, world building and supernatural character development as her successful Guardians of Eternity. I suspect there will be many cross over characters in future storylines.

Copy supplied by Netgalley.

Reviewed by Sandy

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Deal With The Devil / Charming The Beast (Purgatory Series) by Cynthia Eden – a review

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DEAL WITH THE DEVIL / Charming The Beast (Purgatory Series) by Cynthia Eden-a review

Deal with the Devil

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / KOBO /

About the book: Release Date June 9, 2015

Eric Pate is used to making his own rules—as the director of the PARA Unit, he is the boss. Everyone rushes to obey his commands, and no one knows his secrets. No one ever gets too close to him. But then he meets her.

Ella Lancaster is tired of being a prisoner. She escaped one hell just to find herself in another, but Eric doesn’t consider her containment with his agents as punishment. He actually thinks it is a form of protection. But Eric is so very wrong. Ella doesn’t need protecting, not for anyone or anything.

But when the PARA Unit comes under attack, Ella and Eric both find themselves battling a supernatural beast that they never expected. Forced to join forces, to make a deal, Ella and Eric are soon fighting side-by-side, and their attraction for each other can’t be contained or controlled. Hot. Wild. Consuming. Ella’s deal with her devil is soon taking over her life.

And as Eric falls deeper and deeper under the mysterious Ella’s spell, his legendary control begins to crack. The beast that he has kept chained so carefully inside rises to the surface. Unfortunately, when the devil loses his control…there is real hell to pay.

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REVIEW: DEAL WITH THE DEVIL is the fourth installment in Cynthia Eden’s adult, contemporary Purgatory paranormal romance series. Purgatory is an island prison for the supernatural-those that cannot be controlled and are a danger to themselves and everyone else. This is PARA Unit director Eric Pate, and Ella Lancaster’s storyline. DEAL WITH THE DEVIL can be read as a stand alone but for background information and enjoyment, I suggest reading the series in order.

Told from alternating third person perspectives (Eric and Ella) DEAL WITH THE DEVIL follows the continued ‘imprisonment’ of Ella Lancaster, and the PARA Unit director’s explosive attraction to a woman whose species (or origins) is unknown. Ella ia a woman who had been imprisoned by a monster; for years she was tortured and abused, tested and retested, drained of blood and left to die. Someone or something was using Ella’s blood. Upon her ‘rescue’ Ella found she had traded one prison for another, regardless of the furnishing and trappings made to look like she was living a normal life. As the PARA doctors continued to run tests on Ella’s blood, Eric Pate found himself drawn to the woman who was secluded for her own protection, not imprisoned against her wishes.

Throughout the series Eric Pate has been an enigma. He is a man who demands obedience of those he commands; his control over the others is unquestioned; but he is also a man whose personality was questionable. Eric had secrets; dark and dangerous secrets, if revealed, could compromise his position within the PARA Unit.

The relationship between Ella and Eric is one of immediate attraction but Ella believes she was betrayed by the very people who aided in her rescue including Eric Pate –The PARA Unit commander and a man who isn’t quite human himself. What ensues is a mutual attraction between Ella and Eric, one that Ella believes is fated for her kind. Eric refuses to give in to the myth of fated mates, and although his need for Ella cannot be explained, Eric is determined to save Ella from whatever is hunting the woman of his heart even if it mean revealing the truth about his ‘second nature’. The $ex scenes are intimate, aggressive and compelling without the ‘over the top’ erotic factor.

The secondary and supporting characters include all of the previous storyline couples: Duncan and Holly, Shane and Olivia, Connor and Chloe. We are also introduced to the man responsible for Ella’s powers; and the beast who will stop at nothing to get her back. By way of the storyline premise, we are also introduced to a new breed of hybrid supernaturals, and the possibility of something more. Lawrence’s storyline may be next on the horizon.

DEAL WITH THE DEVIL is a story with action, mystery, suspense and romance. Cynthia Eden will capture your heart and your imagination. Her characters are likeable, engaging and intense; her storyline emotional, passionate and intriguing; the world building continues to grab your attention-always leaving you wanting more !

Reading Order and Reviews
The Wolf Within
Marked by the Vampire
Charming The Beast (see review below)
Deal with the Devil

NOTE:  If you have not read this series, THE WOLF WITHIN (Book 1 of the Purgatory Series) is FREE for KINDLE and KOBO users:Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / KOBO /

Copy supplied by Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

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Charming the BeastCHARMING THE BEAST
(Purgatory #3)
by Cynthia Eden
Genre: adult, contemporary, paranormal romance

Kindle & Nook ebook ONLY 99¢ :Amazon.com / Amazon.ca /B&N / KOBO /

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date October 23, 2014

He’s a man with a beast inside…

Connor Marrok never intended to work for the Seattle Para Unit. He’s not one of the good guys—he’s a real monster, and the beast he carries doesn’t exactly play nicely. But now he finds himself being blackmailed into a new assignment. It’s supposed to be his last gig. His mission? Protect the beautiful Chloe Quick. Keep her alive. Destroy her enemies. Easy enough…until he starts to fall for Chloe.

She just wants to escape.

Chloe is tired of being a prisoner. She wants to get away from her Para Unit guard and run fast into the night. So what if Connor is the sexiest guy she’s ever met? Chloe knows trouble when she sees it, and Connor is one big, dangerous package of trouble. But, when an obsessed werewolf begins stalking Chloe, she realizes that her paranormal bodyguard may just be the one man she needs the most.

Their attraction is primal.

Every moment that Chloe and Connor spend together increases their attraction. Chloe has never felt a need so strong or a desire so dark. The beast that Chloe carries inside has always been silent, but Connor is stirring up her animal instincts. And as the danger and desire begin to twist together, Chloe wonders just how far she’d be willing to go…in order to spend one more night in Connor’s arms.

••••••••••

REVIEW: CHARMING THE BEAST is the third installment in Cynthia Eden’s paranormal, adult, contemporary Purgatory romance series. Purgatory is an island prison for the most powerful of supernatural criminals. This is Para Unit Agent and crossover hybrid Connor Marrok and Chloe Quick’s storyline who were introduced to one another in the previous book. Although this is the third book in the series is can be read as a stand alone without too much difficult but I recommend reading in order for background and detailed information about the previous storyline couples and premise.

Connor Marrok is a cross-over. A supernatural being ½ vampire/ ½ werewolf and all alpha male. He is a man whose younger years have resulted in physical and emotional scars that will never heal. His wolf wants Chloe Quick-the daughter of the man who has set out to destroy the FBI’s Seattle Para Unit-and the man who tried to destroy Chloe’s life.

Chloe is under the Para Unit’s protection but her freedom and choices are no longer her own. Something about Chloe’s DNA has changed and she is now the focus of a number of werewolf packs; she has become the number one target for a man hoping to make her his own. As the wolves begin to circle, someone is willing to sacrifice Chloe for information and a chance to end the cycle of attacks.

The attraction between Chloe and Connor is immediate; a friends to lovers storyline that focuses on Connor’s need to protect the woman he needs to claim as his mate. But Connor believes he is not the right man for Chloe and tries miserably but fails to keep his distance.

The world building continues as more agents of the Para Unit are introduced and Purgatory continues to house the baddest of the bad. The secondary characters include all of the previous storyline couples as well as the agents and Unit commander Eric Pate. Eric is an enigma; an alpha male; the boss; the man in charge and he is nobody’s friend. Eric is a man who is willing to risk any or all of his agents to ensure they get their ‘man’. In this, he is a character whose intent is questionable but also a character who has many secrets that have yet to be revealed. I believe his story is next.

If you are a fan of the paranormal shifter romance storylines, then Cynthia Eden’s PURGATORY series is for you. There is a little bit of everything supernatural: werewolves, vampires, Dijinn, magic and more. The characters are for the most part likeable; their stories are heartbreaking; sometimes tragic; always intense.

Reading Order and Previous Reviews
The Wolf Within
Marked by the Vampire
Charming the Beast
Deal with the Devil

Copy supplied by Netgalley.

Reviewed by Sandy

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When Darkness Ends (Guardians of Eternity 12) by Alexandra Ivy-a review

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WHEN DARKNESS ENDS (Guardians of Eternity #12) by Alexandra Ivy-a review

When Darkness Ends

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO / The Book Depository

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date May 26, 2015

The Guardians of Eternity are facing a final battle to save their world—but battles of the heart may be the most difficult to fight…

Cyn, the vampire clan chief of Ireland, is an unabashed hedonist whose beauty is surpassed only by his insatiable appetite for pleasure. It’s no wonder he’s furious when he’s transported from the magical land of the pureblooded feys to his desolate private lair—only to have his very existence thrown into a chaos that even he cannot charm his way out of…

Most women may be all but powerless against Cyn, but Fallon, a sharp-witted fairy princess, is less than beguiled by the silver-tongued vampire. She’s a serious soul with no time for the sort of games he plays—especially when they learn that someone is trying to close the veil that separates the dimensions. But seduction may prove the most powerful force of all, as attraction ignites between the unlikely pair even as worlds are colliding around them

•••••••••••••

REVIEW: WHEN DARKNESS ENDS is the final installment in Alexandra Ivy’s GUARDIANS OF ETERNITY paranormal, romance series. This is vampire clan chief of Ireland Cyn, and Chatri princess Fallon’s storyline. WHEN DARKNESS ENDS can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from previous storylines is revealed where necessary. Cyn and Fallon were first introduced in book #11 Hunt The Darkness .

Told from several third person perspectives WHEN DARKNESS ENDS follows several intersecting plotlines that culminate in a finality where justice is served. The ancient supernatural Commission of Oracles has come under suspicion, and Cyn and Fallon have been called in to investigate and uncover the person(s) responsible-someone is trying to close the veil between dimensions thus effectively stopping all interactions between demonkind. What ensues is a building relationship between Cyn and Fallon, one that is unacceptable by the Chatri ruler and Fallon’s intended Chatri mate; and a search and destroy mission to stop a potential supernatural apocalypse.

Cyn, like many of Alexandra’s leading men is an alpha male whose protective nature continues to butt heads with his intended mate, but Cyn is also a bit of a man-whore with a reputation for the ladies that finds our heroine ill at ease with her attraction to the ancient vampire. Fallon is pure; a Chatri princess who has been promised to a Chatri male-Prince Magnus- a man Fallon does not love but is quick to defend as her intended husband. But saying that, Fallon is not helpless; there is some powerful mojo hidden beneath the princess’s beautiful façade. Cyn’s attraction to Fallon is that of a mate, and our leading hero is determined to claim Cyn as his own. The $ex scenes are romantic, compelling and provocative without the over the top erotic focus.

WHEN DARKNESS ENDS is an ensemble storyline with many of the previous storyline characters playing a secondary and supporting role including the Anasso (King of the Vampire) Styx, guardian Dante, and vampire chief Viper. We cannot forget about the little gargoyle Levet-who is the bane of everyone’s existence-but is a constant source of help and information. Alexandra brings together vampires, demons, fey, druids and humans in a battle to close the portals between worlds thus eliminating magic and the supernatural powers.

Alexandra Ivy ends the GUARDIANS OF ETERNITY series with a happily ever after-for now: there are no threats against the supernatural powers and everything appears to be right with their world. WHEN DARKNESS ENDS is a fast paced, action packed story with suspense, romance and revenge. The characters are animated, engaging and amusing; charismatic and fun. The requisite evil is over the top but will be justly rewarded for his crimes. GUARDIANS OF ETERNITY is an intoxicating series with sensual couples and passionate mates; the ensemble cast of characters brings familiarity and cohesion for fans of the series, as well as, entertainment and fun.

Just a side note: WHEN DARKNESS ENDS may not be the final book in the series-there is talk that the author may continue to explore the world of her GUARDIANS OF ETERNITY at a future time.

Copy supplied by Netgalley.

Reviewed by Sandy

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