Tag Archives: Werewolves

A Highland Werewolf Wedding by Terry Spear-Review and Giveaway

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A HIGHLAND WEREWOLF WEDDING (Heart of the Wolf #11) by Terry Spear-Review and Giveaway

A Highland Werewolf Wedding

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Barnes and Noble / KOBO / The Book Depository

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date May 7, 2013

Elaine Hawthorn is a gray American werewolf, currently out of work, and on a mission to share in a family treasure. When she arrives in Scotland, she nearly has a head-on collision with one hot, kilt-garbed Highlander, and runs him off the road.

Werewolf laird Cearnach MacNeill isn’t happy Elaine ruined his car, but he quickly becomes her protector after a misunderstanding lands her right in the middle of two feuding clans. Now he’s out to ensure that this sexy female wolf gets her fair share of her clan’s treasure. He knows he should leave well enough alone, but it’s too late to leave his heart out of it

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REVIEW: A HIGHLAND WEREWOLF WEDDING is the 11th storyline in Terry Spear’s Heart of the Wolf series but can be read as a stand alone without too much difficulty. Many of the storyline characters have already had their stories told, but A Highland Werewolf Wedding reads fairly smooth without too many unanswered questions.

The premise of the storyline begins in 1785 where Elaine Hawthorn, an alpha female wolf, first met Cearnach MacNeill as she embarked onto the shores of Scotland after leaving America (with her pirate uncles) following the murder of her parents. But her need to run from a potentially unwanted and arranged mating and the people that hanged her uncles, will find Caenarch searching for the woman who tugged at his heart. Fast forward to the present day where Elaine returns to Scotland under the misapprehension of a business deal that could see the family fortune returned, and Caenarch will discover that his heart and his wolf still want Elaine. Only Elaine is a distant cousin to the MacNeill’s sworn enemy and her appearance with Caenarch at a family wedding will set into motion a pack feud that has been simmering since 1785.

The relationship between Cearnach and Elaine is heightened with the knowledge that their union may be unwelcome. From their second ‘accidental’ meeting to a chase through the Highlands of Scotland, Cearnach knows that the beautiful woman at his side will one day be his future mate-perhaps much sooner than later. And convincing the family matriarch is a lot easier than he ever could have imagined.

There is none of the angst of the push and pull of an unwelcome mating. Cearnach knows that Elaine is meant to be his mate, and the wolf in Elaine, although an Alpha as well, knows that her place is beside Cearnach. The relationship is loving; Cearnach is a man who knows how to treat a woman with love and respect; and Elaine is a woman who welcomes Cearnach with open arms.

There is a twist revealed at the end, but a twist that I had surmised fairly early on. Although many readers may be surprised, there is a build up to the reveal when questions about missing persons and queries go unsolved.

Terry Spear does an amazing job blending the past with the present as she comes full circle with the family histories and fight for lost possessions. If you are a fan of fast paced, paranormal shifter storylines A HIGHLAND WEREWOLF WEDDING is a fun read and will sure to please.

Books 7, 10 and 11 are the MacNeill brothers of the Highlands.

1. Heart of the Wolf
2. Destiny of the Wolf
3. To Tempt The Wolf
4. Legend of the White Wolf
5. Seduced by the Wolf
6. Wolf Fever
7. Heart of the Highland Wolf
8. Dreaming of the Wolf
9. A SEAL in Wolf’s Clothing
10. A Howl for a Highlander
11. A Highland Werewolf Wedding
12. A SEAL Wolf Christmas (Oct 2013)
13. Silence of the Wolf (2014)

Copy supplied by the publisher through Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

Giveaway-Blue:Black

Sourcebooks is offering a paper copy of HOWL FOR THE HIGHLANDER (Book 10) in Terry Spear’s HEART OF THE WOLF series.

A Howl for the Highander

1. 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, please post your email address with your comment.

3. Giveaway is open to USA and CANADA only.

4. Giveaway runs from May 20 to 24, 2013.

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Death’s Servant Blog Tour with C.J.Ellisson

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Death’s Servant Blog Tour with C.J. Ellisson

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Death’s Servant (The V.V.Inn 0.5)
by C.J. Ellisson
Release Date: April 13, 2013

Amazon.com / Barnes and Noble / Amazon.ca

Death's Servant

Jonathan Winchester has clashed with his alpha one too many times. After another argument he leaves the Manitoba pack, his only home since the werewolf attack that changed his life. He returns to his home state of Virginia to start a new life free of pack politics. Jon finds work and meets a young waitress, Raine, who appears to be a lone werewolf, too.

As their relationship progresses, Jon’s embroiled in more intrigue than he bargained for and a danger bigger than he can handle. He’s running scared until his own alpha tendencies surface, making him unable to leave the pretty werewolf’s problems behind. The young man is desperate to save Raine—even if his efforts may lead him straight to death.

Journey along in this first prequel novel involving the favorite characters from the bestselling V V Inn series. Written at reader demand, this stand-alone story explains how the beloved Jonathan came to serve the deadly redheaded vampire, Dria.

Reading Order
Just One Taste (prequel)
0.5 Death’s Servant
1. Vampire Vacation
2. The Hunt
3. Big Game


Click HERE for our review of Death’s Servant by C.J.Ellisson.

Death's Servant Excerpt

“Jon!” Romeo’s deep voice follows as I stride quickly down the hall. “Get back here.”

I round the top of the stairs and descend at full speed, skipping steps in my haste to leave. Anger pulses like a living beast beneath my skin. If I don’t get the hell out of here, my alpha and I will come to blows.

The urge to fight, to answer the call of my inner wolf, colors my vision, tinting the werewolf pack’s large home in a wash of red haze. Claws itch to descend through my clenched fists, and the brush of fur waiting to erupt tingles my skin.

“This is not over.” Romeo’s booming shout thunders through the house. “Get back here now, or don’t ever come back!”

This time he’s getting what he threatens. What’s so crazy about suggesting a support network for wolves? Why am I suddenly the object of scorn and ridicule? Is organizing packs somehow a threatening concept to our way of life?

A tiny voice inside whispers, Your suggestion of such a change goes against everything a werewolf pack stands for.

Could that be true? Would instilling communication among hundreds of Weres hurt us as a species?

I block the denials I’ve heard for months. Doesn’t make sense. Could Romeo’s resistance stem from something bigger? Should I listen to the gossip saying I’ve evolved into an alpha faster than anyone expected? There is only one male alpha per pack, not two; one mated pair deciding the fate of their wolves, and those who don’t agree must leave. Or fight for supremacy.

I barrel out the front door and sprint toward the detached garage, where a few of the single wolves have bedrooms in the space above the cars. I throw open the door, the heavy steel bouncing off the siding in my unchecked rage. I need to talk to Lori, my werewolf girlfriend in the pack. I’m ready to leave and want her with me.

My inner beast gnashes its teeth, ready for a challenge, eager to return and face the man who saved my life less than a year ago. Tamping down the temptation, I rush the inner stairs three at a time. The scent of half a dozen wolves lies heavy in the confined space, confusing the rational part of my mind struggling to remain in control.

I recall our past in an effort to still my raging desires—I owe this man my life. Romeo found me lost and afraid when I awoke in the hospital, uncertain of what I’d become. Elsa, his wife, sensed immediately I was different, discouraging her mate to allow me into their pack. Romeo didn’t care. He recognized me for what I truly was—a scared college kid who didn’t know what the f*@k happened to his well-ordered life.

When I reach the upper hall, I’m jolted out of my calming reverie by sounds of passion. I smile, wondering who Kotsana has lured to his waterbed now.

“That’s it, baby,” a familiar female voice coos softly. “You know I like it good and deep.”

The instant anger near the surface of my mind threatens to overwhelm me. I stop cold—leaning a hand on the wall, gasping to catch my breath—while my packmate screws my girlfriend beyond his shut bedroom door.

About The Author Black and yellow

C.J.Ellisson
C.J. Ellisson is the USA Today Bestselling author of the NYT Bestselling book, Vanilla on Top, the bestselling V V Inn series, and several erotica shorts. She lives in northern Virginia with her husband, two children, two dogs, and a fluffy black cat who makes her sneeze. Unlike most full-time authors, she’s also battling a severe chronic illness.

C.J. works daily to put her Lupus into remission and continues to fight numerous bacterial infections while her immune system slowly attacks her body. She turned to writing when she could no longer work outside the home and claims the escape of penning contemporary fantasy, erotica, and erotic romance has helped save her sanity.

Follow CJ: Website / Facebook/ Goodreads / Twitter

Giveaway-Black and Yellow

CJ Ellisson is offering one lucky commenter a swag package from Death’s Servant and The V.V.Inn series

CJ Ellison Giveaway

 

1. 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 please post your email address with your comments

3. Giveaway run from May 9-May 15, 2013

4. Giveaway open to USA and Canada only

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Death’s Servant (The V.V.Inn 0.5) by C.J.Ellisson-a review

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DEATH’S SERVANT (V.V.Inn 0.5) by C.J.Ellisson-a review

Death's Servant

Amazon / Barnes and Noble /

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date April 13, 2013

Jonathan Winchester has clashed with his alpha one too many times. After another argument he leaves the Manitoba pack, his only home since the werewolf attack that changed his life. He returns to his home state of Virginia to start a new life free of pack politics. Jon finds work and meets a young waitress, Raine, who appears to be a lone werewolf, too.

As their relationship progresses, Jon’s embroiled in more intrigue than he bargained for and a danger bigger than he can handle. He’s running scared until his own alpha tendencies surface, making him unable to leave the pretty werewolf’s problems behind. The young man is desperate to save Raine—even if his efforts may lead him straight to death.

Journey along in this first prequel novel involving the favorite characters from the bestselling V V Inn series. Written at reader demand, this stand-alone story explains how the beloved Jonathan came to serve the deadly redheaded vampire, Dria.

**************

REVIEW: DEATH’S SERVANT is the prequel novella in C.J.Ellisson’s V.V. Inn series featuring Vivian Alexandria (Dria) a 580 plus year old vampire with the ability to manipulate emotions. In this particular storyline, C.J. opens up about Jon’s past and how the alpha without a pack came to be Dria’s most trusted servant.

Jon has always been an alpha-as a human and as a shifting wolf, and those tendencies do not diminish throughout his trek to discover what he wants from his new life. But what Jon uncovers is a wolf pack in trouble and there is only one solution on the horizon. Enter Dria-an ancient vampire who makes Jon an offer he cannot refuse.

We watch as Jon wars with his emotions about Dria-the vampire to whom he has pledged his life. But it is the calculating methods and swift due diligence of the ancient vampire that has Jon second-guessing about to whom he has vowed his servitude. Dria’s power and ability to get the job done is only the tip of the proverbial iceberg as Jon discovers there is more to Vivian Alexandria than a beautiful face.

DEATH’S SERVANT is a fascinating look at Jon’s emotional introduction into Dria’s Seethe. CJ Ellisson has given us a glimpse into Jon’s personality and the warring conflict within when he witnesses Dria’s power first hand. I am a big fan of prequel novellas where the reader is taken back in time to learn about the roots of established characters. Death’s Servant is a welcome and I believe necessary addition to CJ’s V.V.Inn series. Fans have always wanted to know how Jon established himself as Dria’s right hand man and Death’s Servant reveals the truth about Jon’s beginnings with the Seethe.

Reading Order
1. Vampire Vacation
2. The Hunt
3. Big Game
4. Just One Taste (prequel)
5. Death’s Servant

Copy supplied by the publicist.

Reviewed by Sandy

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Werewolves Be Damned by Stacey Kennedy-a review

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WEREWOLVES BE DAMNED (Magic and Mayhem #1) by Stacey Kennedy-a review

Werewolves Be Damned

Amazon/ Barnes and Noble/ KOBO

ABOUT THE BOOK: April 15, 2013

Nexi Jones—part witch, part guardian, and wannabe kick-ass warrior—can’t throw a punch or conjure the simplest magic. But that doesn’t stop her from hunting the werewolves who slaughtered her human family. She’ll have her revenge, but only if Kyden, the elite guardian, would get the hell out of her way.

Kyden can’t decide if Nexi wants to get herself killed or if she just has no clue what she’s doing. But her father made it clear: keep Nexi safe…or else. Of course, the more Nexi runs toward revenge, the more she needs Kyden’s aid, and as she grows into her power and confidence, so does his desire to protect her. The only problem? She’d rather he dropped dead.

But when a vampire paints a bull’s-eye on Nexi’s back, she’s hard-pressed to deny Kyden and the help he’s offering. Even if it means getting her revenge will be a little bit harder. At least it will still be as sweet.

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REVIEW: Werewolves Be Damned is the first storyline in Stacey Kennedy’s new Magic and Mayhem series featuring guardians, witches, vampires and werewolves. The focus of this storyline is one Nexi Jones who, following the murder of her adopted parents, discovers that she is no ordinary human. She will be swept into a war between the supernatural species where she will become the ultimate prize.

Nexi is a strong heroine who seeks revenge against the werewolves that killed the only family that she has ever known. But as the storyline progress, Nexi will meet others like herself as she trains for the ultimate showdown between good and evil. Only she will lose more in this battle-she may lose the man with whom she has fallen in love.

Kyden is a Guardian and the man who has made it his mission to train Nexi. Knowing she is not prepared for a face to face confrontation with the being who destroyed her life, Kyden takes Nexi into his care, but will lose his heart in the process.

We learn, along with Nexi, the truth behind her birth mother’s death and all too soon her world will once against be turned upside down when she must face the ultimate evil in a battle for her life as well as for the man that she loves.

WEREWOLVES BE DAMNED is a fast paced, interesting storyline that pulls together many of our favorite supernatural heroes and villains. I would have preferred a little more character development – we meet our hero and heroine and are immediately thrown into the action of the story. I felt like we did not have a chance to know some of the characters before death and heartbreak took hold. Let’s hope the next storyline will delve deeper into the personalities and quirks of the central characters as well as the secondary characters who are interactive in a good portion of the premise. Werewolves Be Damned is a fascinating look at the hunger for power among the supernatural races where one small but powerful female controls the outcome in the palm of her hands.

Copy supplied by the publicist.

Reviewed by Sandy

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The Order of the Black Swan series by Victoria Danann-a review

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The Order of The Black Swan Series by Victoria Danann-a review

The Order of The Black Swan 2

The Order of The Black Swan Series by Victoria Danann

The trilogy is available in a box set : Amazon / Barnes and Noble / KOBO

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My Familiar Stranger by Victoria Danann -The Order of The Black Swan Series #1

My Familiar Stranger

Amazon / Barnes and Noble / KOBO /iTunes / Smashwords

The trilogy is available in a box set : Amazon / Barnes and Noble / KOBO/Smashwords


To begin, I’m not a great lover of scientific jargon and find details about inter-dimensional travel to be boring. When first opening this book I thought “Oh my, this is going to be such a chore”. How could I have ever been so wrong? LOL While there is a little introduction to the aspects of this phenomenon, it was small and a really good set-up for the coming magnificent story!

Ok, that said let’s get on with the story. The worlds explored are on Earth, but are very different from our own. Someone once said that each little stone on a beach, if moved could change the world. So, if Hitler hadn’t been stopped, what kind of world would we have today…perish the thought. But if polio vaccine hadn’t been invented or discovered what would our world be like if even one hero had gotten polio and not been there to be a hero? That’s the type of changes…some smaller, some larger. Many things are familiar – but very different.

In this world there is secret organization that protects humans and others from many dangers: vampire, demon, and perverts…all manner of evil doers. The agents, or fighters for this organization are actually knights…yes, knights. Only the very best of the best and not many of even those are awarded this honor. This organization was having a meeting of their best team (B Team) of the Order of Black Swans.

While on another world, Elora Laiken and her whole royal family were being attacked and the attackers were winning. To save her young life her friend and tutor, Thelonius Monq or for short”Monq”, sent her to another dimension via his untested vortex invention.

While the invention does “save” her life she emerges in mid-air in the meeting of the Black Swan B Team and quite literally drops out of thin air. Only while she is alive, she is not without injury. She is in fact a blob of skinned, broken and bloody flesh. Not even recognizable as necessarily “human”. Some of the knights being startled and cautious voted to “kill it”, but Sir Storm (oh year, I do love a good storm) took the initiative to carry the “blob” to medical help.
You know I don’t do spoilers… let me just say that any time spent reading this book, even this whole series will not be a waste of time.

Victoria Danann has crafted an incredible world or worlds. The characters are each magnificent in their own unique way (though I wouldn’t mind at all being mated to any of these alpha males). Her secondary characters are equally well done. Conversations are realistic, humorous, provocative and just plain fun. The plot is wonderful, twisty, funny and heart rending. All the things an epic should be. You are literally in this world with them, experiencing their pains, triumphs and frustrations. And the sex is well written, and enthralling.

I think the term “a must read” is probably overused, so how do I tell you that you really haven’t lived until you’ve read this series? Yeah, it’s that good!

Reviewed by Georgianna S.

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The Witch’s Dream by Victoria Danann -The Order of The Black Swan Series #2

The Witch's Dream

Amazon

The trilogy is available in a box set : Amazon / Barnes and Noble / KOBO/Smashwords


This is book 2 of the Order of the Black Swan. I usually hesitate a bit at sequels, they very often seem to try too hard to be like the first…relax, not so with this book. It actually begins where book 1 (My Familiar Stranger) leaves off.

The first chapter gives you the idea of where the next big problem is coming from and who the target is! In this case our very wonderful friend Sir Kay (the berserker of the group) and his lovely bride-to-be Katrina. In the meantime we are delighted with the Irish hand fasting (wedding) of Ram and Elora.
Again Victoria Danann has used her remarkable talent to craft wonderful scenes of family life, even among the elven royalty. The marvelous conversations and romantic antics of Ram and Elora are absolutely so enthralling you forget the other shoe is about to drop on their friends…hence surprise when it does.
While in Edinburgh, B-Team has the hand fasting and also is assigned to a new group to help with a task while they are there. This is where our beautiful and talented witch Litha Brandywine comes in and at the first sight of Sir Storm falls head over heels in love with him (heck, I did that in the first book-LOL-tall, dark handsome, muscular, honorable, and well endowed – what’s not to love? LOL).

Litha works for the Order as a tracker. However, Sir Storm believes he’s still in love with Elora and is not exactly receptive to Litha (men, the great looks don’t always go the brain first). Fortunately, she a very determined little witch!

That’s all the spoilers I’m giving out! This is a wonderfully twisty and exciting book. The storyline is completely different while maintaining the same relationships and wonderful people, just a few additions to accommodate the twists.

It’s incredibly exciting, and for me, impossible to put down. I devoured it like it was made of chocolate and caramel. I’m writing this with slightly shaky hands cause I just can’t wait to get to book 3.

Reviewed by Georgianna S.

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The Summoner’s Tale by Victoria Danann-The Order of The Black Swan Series #3

A Summoner's Tale

Amazon

The trilogy is available in a box set : Amazon / Barnes and Noble / KOBO/Smashwords


The Summoners Tale – The Vampires confessor is the third in the Black Swan Series. And they say the best things come in 3’s, I believe that is absolutely correct!

OMG, OMG! This series is on my favorites list! We begin book 3 where book 2 left off. I love the continuity of this series. The great friends from the first two are ever present and we get views of their continuing stories and how their lives are going. The B Team (Bad Company – bad as in badass) is the elite of the Black Swan organization. And the wonderful alpha male knights and the one female knight are the reason. Each now with very special mates that has interesting talents of their own.

Victoria has built great relationships between the team members and their spouses, with many interactions that save each other’s lives.
Primary story in this book is our friend Istvan Baka, ex-vampire. He is trying to move forward with the vampire cure project. He finds himself distracted and in love with Heather who shows only contempt for him. Ram’s little sister will play a huge part in finding out why, and the answers are thought provoking and thrilling!

Okay…no spoiling the great telling of the magnificent story. But the twists and dangers are many to all the characters that are known and loved. Victoria has written each book with individual tales of threats and heroics, but tied them together to move the story arch farther and farther along. A few new characters are coming in, while some secondary characters are stepping up and coming to more focus in the overall story.

I love the world(s) she has designed. The basic issues that all the different races are facing and trying to overcome. While they now have to prepare for other worlds beginning to have inter-dimensional travel more perfected than the one poor Elora was pushed into. Interesting scientific concepts side by side with issues of age old prejudices; a great mixture of science and humanity – much like reality.

If you haven’t tried this series, I urge you invest a little time to it! You will not be disappointed, but enthrallment is a definite possibility! Personally, I’m looking forward to the 4th book coming in May of 2013!

Reviewed by Georgianna S.

Copies supplied by the author

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Forbidden (Otherworld #10.1) by Kelley Armstrong-a review

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FORBIDDEN (Otherworld #10.1 ) by Kelley Armstrong- a review

Forbidden

ABOUT THE BOOK: The team-spirit sign by the side of the highway seems a good omen to loner Morgan Walsh, as he drives to what could be the most important visit of his life — a chance to join the North American Pack. Then he wakes naked in the woods, surrounded by wolf tracks and a ring of suspicious cops. The situation only gets worse when he’s bailed out by Alpha-elect Elena Michaels and Clayton Danvers, her terrifying enforcer and mate.

Disappointed that such a promising young werewolf risked exposing them, Elena isn’t expecting anything from the pesky retrieval job except some much-needed alone time with Clay. Instead, she finds a different kind of evil stalking the streets and forests of Westwood, New York. Trapped in town by a snowstorm and sabotage, Elena, Clay and Morgan must find the mysterious threat before it sets its sights on them.

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Forbidden 2Forbidden image

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

REVIEW: FORBIDDEN is the latest release (December 31, 2012) in Kelley Armstrong’s Otherworld series. When Kelley’s Women of the Otherworld series ended with THIRTEEN mid 2012, she let her fans know she would continue the series with novellas and short stories. December 2012 saw the release of two novellas from her continuing Otherworld series AMITYVILLE HORRIBLE (Jaime Vegas) and FORBIDDEN (The Werewolves with Morgan Walsh).

Forbidden was an interesting storyline but a familiar one as well. We first met Morgan Walsh, a ‘mutt’ werewolf in Frostbitten, during one of Clay and Elena’s adventures in Alaska. At the time, Morgan was invited back to Stonehaven (the New York Pack Den) to get to know the other wolves. Forbidden focuses on Morgan’s trip to New York and his indecision to join the strongest pack in the United States. Morgan will find himself in the unenviable position as the town’s scapegoat for a series of murders and missing young men.

Now here is where the familiarity falls into play-FORBIDDEN reads so similarly to FROSTBITTEN that I thought –wow, I have read this premise before: cold snow-bound frontier; eerie rituals and strange happenings; dismembered bodies and missing people (this time young males); strange reclusive cabin in the woods; Clay’s anthropology background will come into play with ritualistic drawings and chants; and hunting for mutt or rogue werewolves. There is even the late night snow runs and romping in the great outdoors where the wolves come upon a buried body in the snow and, add Morgan Walsh the reluctant pack wolf, and the premise is almost identical.

I am a big fan of Kelley’s Otherworld series but FORBIDDEN was more of the same. I was hoping for more information about Morgan-his beginnings, his family and his brother Blaine. There is very little in the way of getting to know Morgan-he spends most of his time in custody or trying to find Clay’s good side-if he had one. And yet, Morgan admits, once again, he is not a fighter and does not know if he will bring anything new to the pack-again-same as in Frostbitten.

FORBIDDEN is a quick read and a well-written storyline, but one that does not necessarily add anything new to the series. I am reluctant to be negative because Kelley’s Women of the Otherworld as well as her Otherworld series are one of my favorite paranormal series, especially when the storylines involve the werewolves and FORBIDDEN was all about the wolves. If you are a fan of Kelley’s series, this storyline will be familiar but it is one that we will all want to read.

Forbidden_art

Links to Order: Amazon / Barnes and Noble / KOBO / The Book Depository

Reviewed by Sandy

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Black Moon Awakening by Lina Gardiner-a review

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Black Moon Awakening by Lina Gardiner-a review

BLACK MOON AWAKENING by Lina Gardiner

BLACK MOON AWAKENING (released May 2012) is a novel written in a combination of urban fantasy and the paranormal. Lina Gardiner blends the shape-shifting world of the Therian, the aggression of the werewolf, the power of the Egyptian gods and, the humans who want it all, into a fast paced story where the enemy could be your best friend or the neighbor next door.

Jude Black is a powerful Therian shape-shifter and a high level operative that specializes in targeted killings. But on Jude’s latest fact-finding mission (at Eideroche Medical) for the Senate, everything will go wrong– the trainee in his custody is presumed dead and Jude is accused of his murder; and Jude discovers a female werewolf who has been imprisoned and used for medical experiments. Jude is drawn to the werewolf which is wrong on so many levels but the most important is that the Therians and the werewolves are mortal enemies.

Letitia Hawke is the only female Tracker and daughter of the werewolf clan alpha, and has no recollection of recent events. Thinking everything that has happened has been a bad dream, Letitia will discover more than one bloody body has been left with all the evidence pointing to her. With the help of Jude, they will uncover the details that each has become a pawn in an impending war between their species-Jude has been set up by the very people with whom he works and Letitia’s special DNA has been used in an experiment to build an army of hybrid soldiers. But some of the experiments have gone horribly wrong.

There is plenty of mystery and misguided belief. Jude’s brother has been missing and his whereabouts unknown, but with Jude’s special abilities he will discover the true extent to what has happened and who may be to blame. But keeping Letitia out of the hands of Eideroche Medical is one of Jude’s priorities. When their only option is to expose Letitia to the others, both will discover that their powers and abilities are much stronger and stranger than anyone could have imagined.

Lina Gardiner brings together two powerful species of shape-shifters; the embattled mythological history and legacies of the Egyptian gods Horus and Set; a werewolf clan on the verge of destroying themselves and; the many secrets that have been withheld for the good of the few. There is a power struggle within the Therian nation and Senate, and Jude and his family heritage are at the center of it all.

BLACK MOON AWAKENING is an interesting and fascinating look at two shape-shifting species with a history of hatred and animosity between the worlds. At times, the writing was descriptive and intriguing, and at other times it was simple especially during the conversation and interactions between characters-the writing is much stronger in the descriptive narration. Gardiner’s attempts at world building are interesting and colourful and, I hope she spends a little more time in the Underworld of Theria in her next instalment. There is plenty of suspense, intrigue and deep, dark secrets that are slowly revealing a lifetime of lies and betrayal.

The relationship and interaction between Jude and Letitia left me wanting more-more as in a romantic adventure, but Black Moon Awakening is not a romance novel per say. It is more of an urban fantasy suspense adventure. There is definitely an attraction and sexual chemistry between Letitia and Jude-one that needs to be explored- but there was little time for romance and no time for sex. I did miss the lack of one-on-one time.

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

Copy supplied by Goodreads Firstreads/Author

Reviewed by Sandy

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Frostbitten (WOTO #10) by Kelley Armstrong – a review

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Frostbitten (WOTO #10) by Kelley Armstrong-a review

FROSTBITTEN (WOTO # 10) by Kelley Armstrong

December 2012 is the tenth month in Moonlight Gleam’s Women of the Otherworld (by Kelley Armstrong) reading challenge.  Each month, participating sites post a review of the scheduled storyline.  This month’s challenge is:  FROSTBITTEN.

FROSTBITTEN is the tenth full-length storyline in Kelley Armstrong’s Women of the Otherworld series and reunites some of our favourite werewolves. Clay and Elena, with the eventual help of Antonio and Nick, are on the hunt for a couple of rogue werewolves who have been terrorizing a small Alaskan community leaving a trail of grizzly murders and missing women in their wake. As the representative for the American pack, Elena sets out to investigate the recent reports of mysterious wolf killings, but will discover that the kills are anything but natural. Leaving behind their twins with Jaime and Jeremy, Clay and Elena will have their hands full with a runaway young wolf, the Russian pack and several mutts hoping to make an impression as a new upstart pack to be feared.

Frostbitten is a storyline that uncovers a little known species of ancient shape-shifters known as the Wendigo that prefer to keep their identity a secret. The rogue mutts will force the quiet and reclusive species into the roll of protector when they discover the remains of a werewolf and the bodies of several young women. But when old memories and one-time pack members resurface from Clay’s past, Elena will find herself in the unenviable position as the bait to trap Clay and the others.

Frostbitten introduces us to several new werewolves including Noah, Reese and Morgan. Kelley will offer up a number of short stories involving the young werewolves, including the December 2012 release of Forbidden- a storyline featuring Morgan Walsh. Nick will also become the surrogate father to a couple of reluctant newcomers to the pack, and the alpha elect for the American pack will be revealed-surprising no one but Elena, herself.

Frostbitten is another wonderful and fascinating storyline in Kelley’s Women of the Otherworld series. With the introduction of three new werewolves Kelley offers up a world of possibilities for future storylines that will now, only be revealed in a series of novella and anthology type novels.

Reviewed by Sandy

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