Tag Archives: shifters

Bayon and Jean-Baptiste: Bayou Heat 3&4 by Laura Wright and Alexandra Ivy

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BAYOU HEAT 3 & 4 (Bayon and Jean-Baptiste) by Laura Wright and Alexandra Ivy-a review

Bayou Heat trilogy 2

Available for .99cents:  Amazon/ Barnes and Noble / KOBO

Release Date:  April 11, 2013

BAYOU HEAT (Bayon and Jean/Baptiste) picks up immediately following the events of the previous storyline. The Pantera are a puma-shifting, Wildlands living group of inhabitants who have been cursed with infertility with the possibility of extinction. But now that Raphael’s human mate is expecting the first cub in over fifty years, everything goes from bad to worse, when it appears black magic is being used against the Panthera to prevent the continuation of the species.

BAYON is the third storyline in the Bayou Heat series. Bayon is a Hunter. On the search for the source of black magic affecting Ashe and her unborn child, he will soon discover that the woman he long thought was missing and dead, has been held captive for nearly twenty five years. Freeing his would be mate reveals plenty of information especially when she reveals that the people who had set her up were two of their very own shifters.

JEAN-BAPTISTE is the fourth storyline and a little more complicated. Jean-Baptiste is having difficulty controlling his cat so he resorts to getting tatooed with specially infused ink that keeps his baser instincts at bay. But when he is sent on assignment to retrieve a voodoun priestess, he is beyond words when a Suit is sent along for the ride-Genevieve Burel-a top negotiator in the arts of persuasion. Only this time, the only one needing persuading is Genevieve herself when Jean-Baptiste’s cat claims to have found its mate

BAYOU HEAT –Bayon and Jean-Baptiste is another welcome addition to the continuing saga of the Pantera shifters in the Wildlands of Louisiana. The sexual chemistry in each of the storylines will make you growl and purr like the cat we all want to be. Laura Wright and Alexandra Ivy bring together a secretive species that is trying to stave off extinction at the hands of curse brought about by sibling rivalry taken to the extreme.

Reviewed by Sandy

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Thirteen (WOTO #13) by Kelley Armstrong-a review

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THIRTEEN (Women of the Otherworld #13) by Kelley Armstrong-a review

THIRTEENbyKelleyArmstrong

This review is a re-post. For the past thirteen months The Reading Cafe has participated in the Women of the Otherworld (Kelley Armstrong) reading challenge hosted by Moonlight Gleam’s Bookshelf and the amazing Lucy D.

We would like to thank Lucy for the opportunity to participate in this challenge and allowing me to re-read an entire series again-for the fourth or fifth time 😉

WOTOChallenge

THIRTEEN is the final instalment in Kelley Armstrong’s Women of the Otherworld series. Although the number of storylines, technically cross, into the 20s (with the many anthologies and short stories available), THIRTEEN is the last of the full-length novels. There remain many stories to be told (Morgan’s and Reese’s for example) but sadly, I understand why Kelley felt the need to close the door on the Women of the Otherworld series. I am also pleased she has announced that she has, at the minimum, three more anthologies set for release starting in 2014. Let us hope that Morgan and the others will get their stories written-nothing like introducing several new characters and never revealing the exact nature of their connection to the series.

THIRTEEN is the culmination of 10 plus years of story telling all starting with Kelley’s introductory WOTO novel BITTEN, where we were first introduced to Elena Michaels –the first and only female werewolf- and her mate and ‘sire’ Clayton Danvers. But the road to THIRTEEN began in the pages of the second story STOLEN with the introduction of Savannah Levine- a young 12year old witch left orphaned when her half-demon/half- witch mother, Eve Levine, was murdered trying to escape Ty Winsloe’s compound of imprisoned supernatural beings. Now 10 years later, Savannah is a young woman, hopelessly in love with the man who helped rescue her from Winsloe’s hold, and a major player trying to stop a 13th century child killer from successfully finding a cure for mortality and revealing the existence of the supernatural race.

Many of the WOTO characters reunite in this final chapter including the revelation that someone who was long thought dead, is very much alive-and for that reason alone-a few more storylines must be written. Kelley has exposed us to many different demons, half-demons, angels and Cabals, but THIRTEEN gathers some of the Otherworld’s nastiest demons and fallen angels in a struggle between ‘the good, the bad and the lowest of the low’. Yet the one whom you would have thought wanted to destroy the world, remains an angel behind the façade of one of most hated beings in the world of religious beliefs. And with the birth of child, comes a reunion between father and daughter, and a new Pack member who reluctantly admits that family is more important than pride.

Savannah and Adam will, at last, admit they have been dancing around each other for many years. Savannah’s proclamation that she has been in love with Adam since he ‘burned’ her initials into a heart, and Adam maintains that their age difference held him back from taking the initial steps towards a relationship will quell the angst of unrequited love. Their relationship has been frustrating throughout the series, knowing that they belonged together, but it will be Adam’s admission that he has felt the same way for a very long time.

Our favorite PACK will reunite in a short story at the end of the book-FROM RUSSIA WITH LOVE. The previous Alpha will be vanquished from position in a head to head battle, a new Pack Alpha will be declared and their numbers will increase with the addition of a new member and his young family.

THIRTEEN is a fast paced, wild ride that will bring back many memories from the previous storylines. Cassandra and Aaron will sacrifice themselves to save a once-beloved Cabal member, while Jasper Haig is released to ensure Hope survives the end of the world. Many of the demon fathers make an appearance as the wall between the worlds slowly disintegrates, but the open portal will allow a beast so frightening, that even the powers of the supernatural are useless against its’ attack. THIRTEEN is a wonderful end to a fantastic series that will be missed by so many readers and friends. I would like to thank the talented Kelley Armstrong for allowing me to ride along on the amazing adventures of Elena, Clay and the Pack. They will truly be missed.

Reviewed by Sandy

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Wolf With Benefits by Shelly Laurenston-a review

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WOLF WITH BENEFITS (Pride Series #8) by Shelly Laurenston

Wolf With Benefits

Amazon / Barnes and Noble / The Book Depository /

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date March 26, 2013

Ricky Lee has no plans of getting serious about anyone, but he will protect Toni Jean-Louis Parker. Not just because he’s been hired to do so, but because it’s the right thing to do. And if that means traveling around the country with one complicated She-jackal, dealing with chocolate-eating wild dogs, instigating trouble between his brothers, and having the most amazing sex he’s ever had…well, who said his job didn’t have perks?

Toni doesn’t know how she keeps getting herself into these situations. But even she has to admit there’s something about Ricky Lee Reed that she finds kind of interesting…and downright sexy. Now they just have to survive long enough to figure out if what they have is worth fighting for…

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REVIEW: Shelly Laurenston (aka G.A.Aiken) is one of my all-time favorite authors. Shelly’s world of shifters, whether it be pride and pack or dragon, is a world filled with humor. The ease with which Shelly’s characters and storylines pull you into the book is something every author should aspire to. I have a habit of re-reading novels that I enjoy, but if I am feeling a little down, one of Shelly’s books is one of the first books I head to –first.

Wolf With Benefits is one of those storylines where Shelly brings together many of her characters from previous storylines. And if you are a fan of the Pride and Pack series, you will be pleased to know that several characters from the Pack series make a return cameo. Our heroine is the daughter of Jackie the Jackal –yes you are reading that correctly-Jackie the Jackal whom we first met in the anthology WHEN HE WAS BAD in the short story Miss Congeniality !!

Toni’s believes her family of ten siblings need her to help stay organized and in a sense they do. But what Toni discovers is that her talents at organization stand her in good stead with the Van Holtz organization who offer her a prime position within the company. Wolf With Benefits follows Toni as she endeavors to cope with a family of ten siblings-all jackals- all prodigies in their own rights, and the knowledge that her one and only specialty leaves her feeling like a glorified babysitter. When she is asked to go to Russia to broker a deal with the Russian Shifter Hockey league, Toni learns that dealing with the Russians is not like dealing with her family back home- and what is happening back home is something even Toni would have a hard time comprehending.

Ricky and Toni’s relationship is slow to build, although they do meet within the first few pages of the book. Ricky is persistent and garnering a position as security for Toni allows Ricky more one on one private time that will eventually lead to the one thing both of them had not been looking for-a mate. And in true Laurenston style, the families, the wild-dogs, the lions and the wolves will become involved when one of the Reed boys looks like he has fallen in love with a she-jackal. We witness the OCD antics of Bo Novikov who discovers that a family of child prodigies is a little more than he can handle: Blayne Thorpe stunned that not everyone is pleased with her hyper rantings: and a family of wild-dogs whose own child prodigy is making a name for himself.

There are several secondary storylines building that will involve Dee Ann Smith, The Unit and a new member to the team whose shifter heritage is a surprise to everyone but a sexy, honey loving bear. And Shelly pulls no punches when a family member becomes a threat. Due justice will be served-not now-but in the future.

WOLF WITH BENEFITS is another wonderfully sexy and well-written storyline from the mind of Shelly Laurenston. If you are a fan of shifters and humor, Shelly’s Pride series is a definite must read. Shelly pulls the reader into the storyline and makes you feel like part of the pack , or pride, or clan or ….family.

If you are not familiar with the series, I suggest you start with the Pack series. Many of the characters from the Pack series have cameos in Wolf With Benefits.

Copy supplied by Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

Shelly Laurenston Pride and Pack

 

READING ORDER
1. Pack Challenge
2. Go Fetch
3. Here Kitty Kitty

4. When He was Bad (anthology)
5. The Mane Event
6. The Beast in Him
7. The Mane Attraction
8. The Mane Squeeze
9. Beast Behaving Badly
10. Big Bad Beast
11. Bear Meet Girl
12. Howl for It (anthology)
13. Wolf With Benefits

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Mating Instinct (Moon Shifter) by Katie Reus-a review

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MATING INSTINCT (Moon Shifter #3) by Katie Reus

Mating Instinct

LINKS TO ORDER: Amazon / Barnes and Noble / The Book Depository

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date: March 5, 2013

As the beast within struggles to break free, he must learn to be what she needs…

Surviving for centuries, powerful lupine shifter Jayce Kazan managed to stay away from humans until he met Kat Saburova and was consumed by the need to protect her. But while Jayce shared his passion with the human seer, he refused to make her his bondmate—a refusal that caused the end of their relationship.

A year later, an attack that left Kat near death has resulted in another lupine shifter turning her. Furious that he wasn’t the one to save her, Jayce is determined to show Kat that he is the one she should rely on. But the newly turned shifter is still traumatized and worried that she’ll hurt those she loves, unless she can learn to control her inner wolf.

And as Jayce struggles to protect Kat from her own worst instincts and convince her to rekindle their love, the extremists who almost killed her are looking to finish the job…

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REVIEW: MATING INSTINCT is the third full-length storyline in Katie Reus’s Moon Shifter series focusing on the Armstrong-Cordona wolf shifter pack and their struggles with the Antiparanormal League (APL).

We were first introduced to Jayce and Kat in Primal Possession. Kat had fallen in love with Jayce and Jayce’s ‘wolf’ knew that Kat was his mate, but the human in Jayce feared for Kat’s life. Jayce is an enforcer for the Shifter Council and has made many enemies along the way. When Kat was mortally wounded and had to be ‘turned’ by another wolf, Kat ran from Jayce believing he wanted nothing to do with mating a human, let alone Kat.

Mating Instinct follows Jayce and Kat as they are thrown together in the war against the APL. As an enforcer for the Council it is Jayce’s duty to ferret out rogue shifters and take down those responsible for killing other paranormal beings. But the war became personal when Kat was held hostage and left for dead, by the APL, the year before. Kat believes it is her right to take down the members of the APL and Jayce believes it is his right to protect Kat at all costs.

The relationship between Kat and Jayce was already established in Primal Possession but through the first half of Mating Instinct Kat refuses to acknowledge Jayce’s attempts at a reconciliation. The sexual tension is fraught with the pull of the ‘mating instinct’ and one Kat refuses to believe, As a turned wolf and not a born shifter, Kat was unprepared for the lifestyle and pack laws. More than once Kat has defied the Alpha when she refuses to accept what she has become.

There are several secondary story lines developing. Katie brings back many of her previous storyline characters allowing for a familiar feel to each successive novel. All of the couples we have met previously play an active role in Kat and Jayce’s story and we are witness to several developing relationship.

Katie Reus is one of my favorite authors. I am a huge fan of her Red Stone Security Series as well as her Moon Shifter Series. MATIING INSTINCT does not disappoint. Katie writes with an intensity that can be felt right down to your soul. There is plenty of action, suspense, and steamy sex and a little bit of humor to keep everyone smiling. Another fantastic storyline from the mind of Katie Reus.

READING ORDER
1. Alpha’s Instinct
2. Lover’s Instinct
3. Primal Possession
4. Mating Instinct

Copy supplied by publisher through Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

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Keeper of the Night (The Keepers:LA #1) by Heather Graham

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KEEPER OF THE NIGHT (The Keepers: LA #1) by Heather Graham-a review

Keeper of the Night

ABOUT THE BOOK: Released December 2012

In their new Keeper roles, these extraordinary women must balance the fate of the world with their desires…

New Keeper Rhiannon Gryffald has her peacekeeping duties cut out for her—because in Hollywood, it’s hard to tell the actors from the werewolves, bloodsuckers and shape-shifters. Then Rhiannon hears about a string of murders that bear all the hallmarks of a vampire serial killer, and she must confront her greatest challenge yet. Together with Elven detective Brodie McKay, they head to Laurel Canyon, epicenter of the danger, where they uncover a plot that may forever alter the face of human-paranormal relations

REVIEW:

Heather Graham, Alexandra Sokoloff, and Deborah Leblanc had previously written a trio of books known as The Keeper Trilogy (The Keeper, The Shifters, The Wolven). KEEPER OF THE NIGHT (The Keepers: LA #1) is the first storyline, written by Heather Graham, in their new spinoff trilogy focusing on the daughters (all cousins) of the original Keepers who have been called to take their seats at the Council of the Others. Although this particular series is a spin-off, the first storyline can be read as a stand-alone without too much trouble. But there is a caveat at the end of my review.

The Keepers are in essence –the Law- they reside over the different paranormal and supernatural species-Elven, Vampire, Wolven, Shifter etc. known as the ‘Others’. Keepers are born and it is their destiny to oversee and enforce the law. Keeper of the Night focuses on Vampire Keeper Rhiannon Gryffald and Elven detective Brodie McKay. Although the Keepers are NOT vampire, wolven etc they do bare some of the powers and abilities of their brethren.

Keeper of the Night finds new Keeper Rhiannon Gryffald as she embarks on her first official investigation that places her into a world of rotting corpses, hidden secrets and an ensemble of actors who want nothing more than to make it big in Hollywood. But when the dead and missing are somehow connected to the local theatre group, Rhiannon finds herself with an unlikely partner-Elven Detective Brodie McKay. But Brodie is undercover as a member of the acting community and to keep his guise a secret, Rhiannon and Brodie must act like a couple to keep the cast from discovering Brodie’s true identity. But play acting as lovers soon leads to the real thing and it will be Brodie who finds himself guardian and protector of the Keeper of the Night.

Keeper of the Night is difficult to rate. Although I said that this storyline could be read as a stand-alone, some background information regarding Keepers and their destiny would have been helpful-to start a new series, especially a spin-off where there are already established characters and storylines, a little background would have been appreciated. I kept thinking-What IS a Keeper? How did they come to be? What is the history between Keepers and the Others? I had to search for some information online-other reviews from the previous series etc.  I am a big fan of authors who include the pertinent background information in each successive storyline. It keeps the series and premise coherent. I hope the next author will think to include some of the Keeper history.

There is a prequel novella available for FREE from Amazon: The Gatekeeper. I had hope that the Gatekeeper would have revealed more background information but it was only an introduction to this particular series and the main characters are not involved in Keeper of the Night-in fact they have nothing to do with the first novel at all.

Overall, this storyline was okay. It will not top my list of re-reads and I will probably not read it again. I was disappointed. Even the relationship and romance between Rhiannon and Brodie seemed forced. I did not feel the chemistry or even the tension between the couple and it was about 2/3 of the way through before any one on one time was had. And in that, I did not feel the connection to the couple or the story.

Copy supplied by Netgalley.

Reviewed by Sandy

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J.D. Tyler-Blog Tour and Giveaway

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J.D. Tyler-Blog Tour and Giveaway

J.D. Tyler is an award-winning, multi-published author who writes for New American Library under three pseudonyms. Whether this is due to an overdose of ambition or a multiple personality affliction, she’ll never tell.

J.D. writes dark, sexy paranormal romance and has a huge thing for shifters, vampires, the Fae, and just about everything else that goes bump and grind in the night. She can’t get enough of those dangerous supernatural heroes, and the fun of creating her own was just too much temptation to resist… so she didn’t. J.D. doesn’t do self-denial.

When she isn’t writing, J.D.’s idea of a good time certainly isn’t cleaning house (sniff), bungee jumping (not in this lifetime, or the next), or camping (her idea of “roughing it” is a slow bellboy). She enjoys reading, being pampered like the diva she is, and spending time with her awesome family. She lives in Texas with her two teenagers.

Connect with J.D. Tyler:

Website / Facebook / Twitter

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PRIMAL LAW:  Alpha Pack #1

Founded by a group of former Navy SEALS, the Alpha Pack is a top-secret team of wolf shifters with Psy powers tasked with eliminating the most dangerous predators in the world. But the gift of their abilities comes at a price…

After a massacre decimates half his team and leaves him crippled, Jaxon Law must relearn how to fight—and battle the anger and guilt threatening to overwhelm him. But when he rescues a beautiful woman who reawakens his primal instincts, Jax is unprepared for the dangers that lie ahead.

On the run from her employer, brilliant lab assistant Kira Locke has evidence that leads the Alpha Pack on a hunt for someone targeting human civilians with Psy abilities. And as Jax and Kira circle both the killer and each other, Jax will have to decide if the deep connection he feels with Kira is worth breaking the ultimate shifter rule—because bonding with Kira means putting his abilities at risk, and they might be the only tools he has to keep his mate alive…

Order from: Amazon / Barnes and Noble / The Book Depository / KOBO

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BLACK MAGIC:  Alpha Pack e-Novella #1.5

An original Alpha Pack novella featuring the sexy sorcerer and panther shifter Kalen Black…

Recruited by the Alpha Pack, Kalen Black is still very much a lone wolf. But when a paranormal creature threatens the life of Dr. Mackenzie Grant, Kalen must use all of his abilities to rescue her. This brush with death excites a passion between them, and after a night of intense pleasure, Kalen leaves Mac with a mysterious gift that just might save her life again.…

Order from: Amazon / Barnes and Noble / KOBO

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SAVAGE AWAKENING:  Alpha Pack #2

A group of former Navy SEALS, the Alpha Pack is a top-secret team of wolf shifters with Psy powers combating the greatest dangers in the world. But sometime those dangers are more intimate than they bargained for…

After a mission goes wrong, Aric Savage is taken prisoner. Half-dead and despairing, he makes a stunning discovery: his Pack mate Micah Chase, who was reported dead, is a fellow captive. When the Alpha team goes into full-rescue mode, accompanying them is an absolute stunner with sable hair–and a spine of solid steel.

LAPD officer and Psy Dreamwalker Rowan Chase has one priority: her brother Micah’s recovery. Still, she can’t help but be drawn to Aric, the ruggedly handsome wolf shifter who pleasures her as no man ever has–however fleeting their affair is destined to be. But when Aric’s life is endangered, Rowan must ask herself what she’s willing to sacrifice in the name of love, for the man fated to be her Bondmate.

Order from: Amazon / Barnes and Noble / The Book Depository / KOBO

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BLACK MOON:  Alpha Pack #3 (release date December 4, 2012)

Ever since he saved Dr. Mackenzie Grant’s life, panther shifter and sorcerer Kalen Black has had trouble keeping the beautiful doctor out of his thoughts, and his heart. The brush with death awakened an intense passion between them–one that for the first time had the notorious loner letting down his guard.

With the Alpha Pack battling an evil Fae who is slowly gaining control over Kalen’s mind, Kalen can no longer trust his own actions, and he breaks off his affair with Mackenzie in order to keep her safe. But when Mackenzie learns that she is carrying Kalen’s child, no amount of danger will keep her away from the man she loves. To be with his mate and unborn child, Kalen will have to unleash the full fury of his power, and risk destroying them all…

Order from: Amazon / Barnes and Noble / The Book Depository

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BLACK MOON BLOG TOUR 

11/25/12 – 12/15/12 

11/27 – Riverina Romantics

11/28 – United by Books

11/29 – Books-n-Kisses

11/30 – RR@H Novel Thoughts

12/01 – The Reading Café

LIVE CHAT – 8-9pm EST (7-8pm CT, 6-7pm MDT, 5-6pm PDT)

12/04 – Book Reader Addict

12/05 – Under the Covers

12/07 – My Keeper Shelf

12/10 – Cocktails and Books

12/11 – Paranormal Haven

12/12 – Romancing the Book

12/13 – I Smell Sheep

12/14 – Grave Tells

12/15 – Vampires, Werewolves & Fairies…Oh My!

J.D.Tyler is offering a paper copy giveaway– WINNER’S CHOICE — of either Primal Law, Savage Awakening or Black Moon.

1.  You must be a member at The Reading Cafe to qualify for the giveaway.  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 or Google, please post your email address along with a comment, as Twitter etc do not allow for email contact information.

3.  Giveaway open INTERNATIONALLY.

$.  Giveaway runs from December 1, 2012 to December 17, 2012 (end of tour)

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