Night’s Honor by Thea Harrison – Dual Review & Giveaway

Night’s Honor by Thea Harrison – Dual Review

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Night’s Honor
Elder Races series – Book #7
by Thea Harrison
Release Date: September 2, 2014

Night's Honor Sept 14Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Kobo / The Book Depository

Description:
On the run from her former employer, Tess knows that she’s vulnerable on her own amongst the Elder Races. That’s why she decides to audition to become the human attendant of a powerful Vampyre of the Nightkind demesne. But while her position affords her the safety she seeks, her protector turns out to be more than she bargained for.

The right-hand man of the Nightkind King, Xavier del Torro is both terrifying and alluring. While his true nature frightens Tess, she can’t ignore the appeal of his innate sense of integrity and self-restraint. Thrown into Xavier’s world, Tess must quickly learn to navigate the dangers—both to her life and to her heart. But the biggest threat comes from her own past….

 

Barb’s Review:

Night’s Honor by Thea Harrison is the 7th full length novel of her Elder Races series.   I am a big fan of this series, and this book took me by surprise. Thea goes out of her normal range, with a hero we never thought would get his own story. We do not get to see any of Dragos and his team. Night’s Honor belongs to Xavier del Torro, who is a Vampyre, and the Nightkind King Julian’s right hand. When we met Xavier in Serpent’s Kiss, he and Julian were not our favorites, as they gave our heroes Rune and Carling a hard time.

We meet our heroine, Tess at the start. She is on the run, and decides to audition to become an attendant for a powerful vampire. In disgust, she leaves the audition, as no one paid attention to her. Except one…… Xavier, one of the most feared and powerful of the Vampyres.

There is something about Tess that makes Xavier hire her for a one year trial. He senses her fear of him, but honors his deal to give her chance to learn. Tess meets many of the people working for Xavier, as she is trained how to fight and handle weapons. Each day she is pushed to the max by those training her, but she seems somewhat happy & safe living in this mansion. Xavier personally trains her how to dance the Waltz, and slowly she becomes more comfortable with him. One of the prerequisite for her to get past the one year trial is to be able to offer blood to him, something she cannot bring herself to do.

Xavier finds himself becoming obsessed with Tess, and knows she is running from something. When she reads something in the paper, she decides to run again. Only this time, Xavier stops her and gets the truth out of her. Tess is running from a very powerful Dijinn, and not even Xavier can stop him.   What follows from that point on is an exciting adventure that will put Tess and Xavier very much in danger, as well as Julian. Lives are at stake, with some twists and betrayals. It is a thrilling finish to the end.

Even with the exciting storyline, it is the romance between Tess and Xavier that made this book so good. To watch someone like Xavier find himself falling in love, and Tess overcoming her fear of vampyres to fall in love with Xavier. I loved Tess, as she was despite her fears, a tough, outspoken & savvy heroine. Thea you have given us a fabulous story, with a hero we never thought we could fall for. Bravo! Night’s Honor is a great addition to the Elder Races series, and trust me when I say you will love Xavier and Tess.



Sandy’s Review:

Because of the dual review perspective, some of the information may overlap

NIGHT’S HONOR is the seventh full length instalment in Thea Harrison’s romantic Elder Races paranormal series. This is vampire Xavier del Torro and human female Tess Graham’ storyline. At the New Year’s Eve Vampyre’s Ball Tess offers herself up as a human attendant not knowing that her life is about to change when one of the most powerful and frightening Vampyre agrees to take her on.

The focus of the storyline is Tess’s training to become one of Xavier’s attendants but Tess has several issues that must be addressed. First and foremost Tess is hiding the real reason she has placed herself in the care of the sexy supernatural vampyre-she is on the run and knows there isn’t much time; the fact that she is reluctant to share her blood makes Xavier more hesitant about her position within his house. While Tess slowly integrates herself into the household, Xavier’s attraction to the feisty female is growing stronger. But there is trouble brewing within the Nightkind demesne and Xavier is about to risk everything to keep his human family safe.

The relationship between Tess and Xavier is slow to build as Tess has a difficult time training for any possible attack. While Xavier tends to Nightkind business, Tess finds herself on the outside looking in. It is only when Xavier returns that he realizes that Tess is much more than a human attendant-he is falling for the female who stirs something deep within his soul.

There are several secondary characters who all play a role within Xavier’s house. We are introduced to some of the key players in the Nightkind demesne which ensures a different direction in the Elder Races arc. As NIGHT’S HONOR primarily focuses on Tess and Xavier, there is very little interaction or mention of the previous storyline characters.

With NIGHT’S HONOR Thea Harrison returns to her paranormal roots. Tess and Xavier’s story is provocative, intense and sensual, and the change in story arc direction pulls the reader into a whole new level of imagination and storytelling.

Copy supplied by the Publisher.

About The Author

Follow Thea: Goodreads/ Facebook/ Twitter

 

Thea HarrisonNew York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author Thea Harrison resides in Colorado.  She wrote her first book, a romance, when she was nineteen, and had sixteen romances published under the name Amanda Carpenter.  She took a break from writing to collect a couple of graduate degrees and a grown child.

Thea writes in a variety of genres, including the award-winning paranormal Elder Races series and the Game of Shadows novels, and is currently at work on various new projects in sci-fi fantasy, paranormal and contemporary romance.

She adores animals and currently resides with two small dogs that have very large personalities.

From Thea:

When I was four, I taught myself to read. That was around the time I tried to ride my tricycle to work. I wasn’t sure where work was, but I knew it had to be interesting if people went there every day. Now I combine my love of books with work, and I don’t have to ride my tricycle to get there.

I hope you enjoy exploring the worlds I’ve created. The Elder Races series is set in an alternative universe where magical and mythological creatures live openly alongside humankind. The stories are full of sexy alpha heroes and the strong-minded heroines that tame them.

Also, I have a two book series called the Game of Shadows novels. This duology is more urban fantasy with dark romantic elements.

You can find a full list of current books here. I also have other worlds and writing projects underway, and I always post on my blog whenever I have news of new projects. To keep up to date on upcoming new releases, check out my Coming Soon page, and all the available, original Amanda Carpenter romances are being re-released as Retro Romances. Be sure to stop by my Fans page, where readers have very generously agreed to share their art, and my  Extras page where I’m developing a cache of tidbits for interested readers.

It’s a pleasure to visit with you. Thanks so much for stopping by and I hope you drop in again soon.

 

Giveaway-Purple:Black

Thea’s publisher is offering a paper copy of NIGHT’S HONOR 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.

2. If you are using a social log-in, please post your email address with your comment.

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

4. LIKE us on Twitter for an additional entry.

5. FOLLOW us on Goodreads

6. Like THEA HARRISON on Facebook

7. Giveaway is open to USA only

8. Giveaway runs from September 4 to September 8, 2014

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Witch Bound/Demon Crossings by Eleri Stone – Reviews

Witch Bound/Demon Crossings by Eleri Stone – Reviews

twiligt of the gods

Links to order:Witch Bound: Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Kobo
Demon Crossings : Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Kobo

In Twilight of the Gods, Ragnarök—the apocalypse foretold in Norse prophecy, has already occurred. After the cataclysmic final battle, some of the Æsir manage to escape their broken world and travel to a new planet. Their descendants guard the bridge between worlds, preventing Surtr’s host from invading earth.

 

Witch Bound
by Eleri Stone
Book # 2
Twilight of the Gods series
Release Date: June 24, 2013

witch bound

Review:

I really liked this book, I love my shifters, and I love my tortured alphas, and this had BOTH in it  😉  We met Fen in the last book, and I had hoped his story would be told next. And to be honest I liked this one better than the first book.

Only male wolves are born in this story, they meet their mates, usually human or supernatural, bite and bond. But this story is so different, only the males bond, females can leave whenever they want, no commitment !! (Well that sucks !!) Once a male bonds, he bonds for the rest of his loooooooooong life. So if a male wolf doesn’t want to bond, (as the trigger is sex, then he stays either a virgin, or shares a female with other males of his pack)

One of Fen’s pack bonded to a female years ago, when they were both young, she met her future husband, and never looked back, poor Brian still pines for her, even though he hates her.  Fen also swears never to have kids, as they will be male, and he doesn’t want to see his sons live the same life he has.  Then Fen meets his best friend’s fiancée, Raquel. And Bang !!! He feels something he has never felt for another female before. But he is sure it will pass with time, he just needs to avoid her.

Raquel has the potential to be a really powerful witch. But she has a block, whether it was from birth, or a spell, she doesn’t know. But she feels her power behind a wall, and she desperately wants to break it down.

Raquel has been promised to Christian since birth, it’s not a love match, but in time, she hopes that mutual respect for each other, will grow to love. The hunters from Ragnarok are unaware that their new witch isn’t as powerful as they were lead to believe. They have Lois, but they need more power to keep the portals from splitting open, and fire demons from roaming the earth.

The portals are opening more and more, and the hunters are getting worried. Something or someone is helping from the other side !!!!

Raquel feels the same way for Fen, as he does for her. He really has all the best intentions. (Unrequited love is always a page turner for me) But his wolf seems to have bonded to Raquel, and his alpha tendencies are beginning to show.

There are some really tender moments between Raquel and Fen, and some REALLY hot moments, and some funny scenes that had me snorting at the most inappropriate moments.

Oh and what about poor Christian, he has a duty to marry his witch, he is a pleaser, and has spent his entire life trying to make his family proud. So he feels compelled to complete his duty, even though his heart belongs to a certain Raven.

A battle puts Fen in an awkward position, does he put his pack or Raquel first, and it’s a battle Fen is losing more and more. All he thinks about is her, he smells her everywhere, and for the first time ever, Fen wants a bond with his little witch, because as far as he is concerned, she is HIS.  And once he and Raquel decide to mate, wellllllllllllllllllllllll ……… HOT HOT HOT 😀

Oh …….. and remember the something or someone helping on the other side to keep the portals open ? We met that person in book one 😉   And a twist I did not see coming, it came, and it caught me good.

I really liked this book, and although there wasn’t much sex, it wasn’t missed, as the point to the book, was abstinence, and the duties we try to uphold, even though they aren’t the ones we like.  I’m hoping Christian gets his book soon, and he gets his little raven.

Demon Crossingsby Eleri Stone
Book # 1
Twilight of the Gods series
Release Date: January, 2012

Demon Crossings

Review:
4.5 Stars 🙂 🙂 🙂   I really liked this book.  The mixture of Norse gods were a little bit of a surprise, but once I got my head around the fact, that they WEREN’T gods, and in fact Odin was a type of leader in each clan, I read with avid interest.                                                                             

Grace is a Private investigator with a difference, she uses a very powerful psychic ability to find lost, or missing children. And after tracking a father who has abducted his daughter from her grandmother, to Iowa, she assumes that the case is closed, and she can look forward to her holiday.  On her way home, Grace hits what she assumes is a dog, but as it turns out, it’s not a dog, but in fact a fire demon !

Grace is rescued by a horse and rider, and instantly tries to tell her it was a dog or deer that she hit, but Aiden doesn’t realise that Grace can see through his glamor that he has set around the scene of Grace’s car accident.

After being treated by the resident doctor, Grace is invited to stay with Aiden the night, until the car is fixed, and she is able to drive without seeing double. The attraction between Grace and Aiden seems a little one-sided, and I wasn’t really sure if Aiden really liked Grace, but I went with flow, and carried on reading…..

Aiden is the leader of a group of Norse men and women, who are decedents from the Asguard world, from which the original Norse mythology came from.  Aiden doesn’t have a hammer, but he has a BIG sword 😉 And he knows how to wield it.

We meet up with the rest of the hunt, we have Fen who is a wolf shifter, and his pack of shape shifting wolves. Lois who is the resident witch and florist. Christian is Aiden’s second in command. And as far as I am aware, has no power, except his charm and smooth lines. Rane and Elin, who are twins, and can turn into Ravens. Alan the doctor, who is in fact a magical healer.

Grace notices a picture on the wall, as is instantly drawn to it, without warning, she gets images of a little girl in a cold dark place, and is very scared. Once Aiden tells Grace that it is his daughter, and she has been missing almost a year things seem to change between them. Aiden sees her as a means to rescuing his daughter, and Grace seems to unlock her emotions.  So a rescue attempt is made (skipping chapters here, as Aiden and Grace closer together)

Asguard is their home world, but they can’t go home, as it was destroyed by the fire demons. But Aiden who is their leader (or Odin) can widen the portal across to Asgurad. (did I mention, that these portals are not welcome, and are getting more frequent).

So they rescue his daughter (Hallie), but in the process, lose Grace !! She is grabbed and returned to Asguard !! She is captured by a dark figure. Grace keeps her hope up that Aiden will rescue her.  Do you want to know if Grace gets rescued ? Do you want to know if Aiden will let go of his past, and embrace his future with Grace ? Well ……. Buy the book and find out 😀  I really do recommend this book, and can’t wait to read the next one.

Both books reviewed by Julie B.

Copy provided by Author

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Persephone’s Orchard by Molly Ringle-a review

Persephone’s Orchard by Molly Ringle-a review

Persephone's Orchard

 

RELEASE WEEK DEAL only .99cents for a limited time:

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Amazon.uk Barnes and Noble / KOBO /

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date June 28, 2013

The Greek gods never actually existed. Did they? Sophie Darrow finds she was wrong about that assumption when she’s pulled into the spirit realm, complete with an Underworld, on her first day at college. Adrian, the mysterious young man who brought her there, simply wants her to taste a pomegranate.

Soon, though she returns to her regular life, her mind begins exploding with dreams and memories of ancient times; of a love between two Greeks named Persephone and Hades. But lethal danger has always surrounded the immortals, and now that she’s tainted with the Underworld’s magic, that danger is drawing closer to Sophie.

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REVIEW:

Persephone’s Orchard…….what a wonderful book. Molly Ringle builds a beautiful world of true love, wrapped up in Greek mythology. Sophie Darrow leaves home and goes to college where she is “kidnapped” and brought into the spirit realm to meet Adrian. Adrian has to convince her he is not a crazy stalker and he has a purpose for bringing her into this spirit world. Adrian is an immortal and he has shared several lifetimes with Sophie as other people. In the spirit realm, Adrian wants Sophie to eat a pomegranate, which will bring back all of her memories of their past love. Adrian refuses to live for eternity without her and she is faced with choosing between her current, mortal life or an immortal life with Adrian. As she remembers her past, it exposes her to a group of crazies that want all of the immortals dead. The journey through Adrian and Sophie’s previous lives unfold in a wonderful story.

The writing is so descriptive it feels like you are with the characters, living every memory right along with them. This story is beautifully written and intertwined with the Greek Mythology of Hades and Persephone. There was not one dull moment is this book, every page wove the story of Adrian and Sophie, linking their past with their present. There is so many parts of this story that I could talk about but one of the most moving for me was the Underworld. When Adrian first connected with Sophie, one of the things he used to intrigue her to come back to see him was being able to see her deceased grandfather in the Underworld. The Underworld is where the soul goes when it dies and stays there until reincarnated into a new life. The souls fly around and Adrian could talk to them, but couldn’t touch one. Sophie returns to see Adrian so she can see her grandfather and it’s a emotionally beautiful reunion.

I thought this was such a lovely element to the story because we all have that hope of seeing our loved ones again. Persephone’s Orchard will sweep you off your feet and leave you wishing that the story was real.

Copy supplied by the author

Reviewed by Tricia

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