Review: Wanted Undead or Alive by Kerrelyn Sparks

Phineas McKinney thought New York City was tough, until he was attacked by Malcontents—evil vampires who consider mortals to be snacks. Saved by the good vampires, Phin swore to devote his now undead life to stopping the Malcontents. He's got his job cut out for him when word comes that their enemy may be hiding in Wyoming. What does a city boy like him know about horses and campfires? Good thing he's got Brynley Jones with him . . . if only she didn't hate every vampire on earth.

She's a werewolf princess . . .Bryn believes vampires are seductive and charming, and that makes them dangerous. So she's more than a little annoyed about teaming up with Phin, even if he is the only bloodsucker able to make her inner wolf purr. But as they hunt down the new leader of the Malcontents, danger threatens . . . and Phineas and Brynley discover a passion that will rock the foundation of their supernatural world.

Review:

This is the first book of Kerrelyn Sparks that I’ve read and when this book was offered to me to read I took it since this series is on my TBR list. I thought by reading this one it would make me want to read the rest of the series sooner, mission accomplished! I was pretty lost at the beginning and I REALLY wish I’d read the others first so I knew the other characters better, but as it went on and focused more on Phineas and Brynley, it got easier.

Phineas McKinney, also known as Dr. Phang, The Love Doctor, and the Blardonnay Guy, was turned into a vampire 5 years ago and has become pretty popular from being on TV. He plays into his parts well whether it’s being hounded by fangirls who want to meet Dr. Phang, or going on TV to try and convince the bad guys he’s on their side to try and flush them out. Besides doing his duty, all Phin wants is to find his own love, that The Love Doctor is so good at finding for others but not himself.

Brynley Jones is a wereworlf who ran away from her pack when her father, who was very controlling of her, tried to force her to marry. She ran off and met up with her brother who had previously been cut off and had taken up with the rest of the crew at MacKay S and I. She has much hate for vampires, which stem from biases she struggles to overcome, but there is something about Phineas that she doesn’t want to admit she is attracted to.

Phineas must go to Wyoming to help hunt down the bad guys and needs someone to assist him in werewolf territory and help keep him safe during the day time hours and Brynley is the only one available. Bryn is torn because her wolf desperately wants to go home but she’s afraid of being near her father. Phineas and Brynley appear to hate each other as they are going through their own emotional turmoil and fighting their feelings for each other. They both don’t feel they are right for the other and Phineas is really struck on how he grew up poor and had to resort to selling drugs to support his family and Brynley grew up rich and is an equivalent to a princess in her werewolf pack.

I didn’t really get too emotionally invested with these two but again I think that’s due to not having read the other books and learning their story from their beginning, but when they come together and stop fighting their feelings, watch out for those sparks. I’m sure that my feelings will be different when I’m able to go back and get to know these characters from the beginning. The pace was good and I enjoyed the action and was satisfied with the ending. I do have to add that there was many times I laughed out loud and that mostly has to do with Phin’s brother Freemont. His 19 year old comments just cracked me up! At first I just thought that he was naïve, but oh no, he’s just being a teenager! And Digger cracked me up, who we run into a few times. I’d say they were some of the highlights of the book for me :)

Forever Romance Suspense Giveaway

Run from Fear (Trilogy #3)

 With each step she takes, he tracks her every move, waiting for the perfect time. The perfect revenge. Until then, he’ll watch her…

More than anything, Talia Vega wanted to leave behind her harrowing past. Moving 800 miles away, she succeeded . . . until the one man who knows her darkest secrets wanders into the restaurant where she works. Now the agonizing memories come crashing back—along with an undeniable desire for Jack Brooks, the ex-Green Beret who rescued her from a sadistic monster two years ago.

Jack Brooks knows that showing up unannounced is a purely selfish move. Talia doesn’t need his protection anymore, but he can’t get the raven-haired beauty out of his mind. And when a twisted madman is hell-bent on resurrecting her tortuous past, Jack vows to do anything to keep her safe--even risk his own life to save the only woman he’s ever loved.

Deadly Dance (A-Tac #5) 

 As the intelligence officer for A-Tac, a black-ops CIA unit masquerading as Ivy League faculty, Hannah Marshall is used to working behind the scenes. But when a brutal murder hits too close to home, Hannah finds herself in the middle of the action, falling in love while racing to outwit a sadistic mastermind.

A KILLER CLOSES IN
After the death of her A-Tac partner, Hannah doubts everything she thought she knew about love and loyalty. When handsome Harrison Blake joins the team, she's reluctant to trust him - or to act on her intense attraction to him. Then Hannah receives a podcast of a gruesome murder, and the only person who can help her find the killer is Harrison.

Harrison has spent years trying to hunt down the cunning monster who killed his sister. Now investigating with Hannah, he faces a shocking possibility - his sister's murderer has resurfaced. As the danger escalates, Hannah and Harrison grow closer, the desire simmering between them ignites. And when Hannah disappears, Harrison has only one chance to save the woman he loves.

Giveaway!

3 lucky winners will win a copy of each book!

• Open to US/Canada only
• No PO boxes please

Just add your email in a comment if you are interested in entering the giveaway.  Giveaway is open until  03/27/12 12PM EST.  Winners will be chosen using random.org and winners will be emailed.

Good luck!

Review: Secrets Exposed by Lisa Renee Jones

Lindsey Paxton was once the number one defense attorney in New York. She fought for those who were innocent, but charged. Her instincts were her lifeline, never failing her, as they guided her in her choices of who to defend. Or so she thought. Until she won a case she would forever wish to have lost. Her client, an accused rapist, kills and rapes a woman only a day after being set free. Destroyed by her role in the woman's death, Lindsey blames her father's controlling ways for what she has become, and runs from her career and life. Years later - the past becomes he present . . . Her father has cancer, and Lindsey is forced to leave her career with the Washington branch of the FBI. She finds herself facing the responsibility of running her father's law firm with the reluctant help of hotshot attorney Mark Reeves, a man who sparks her temper while also managing to tempt her body, her mind, maybe even her heart. With his help she finds herself fighting the emotional battles of the past, tempted to trust both him and her instincts. Now, faced with a case inherited from her father so similar to her career-ending one, she now must decide if her instincts will lead her down the path to saving an innocent man or setting free another killer. But while she fights her own battles, someone watches, wanting from the past what he had failed to get the first time . . . Lindsey.

NOTE: Previously released as Hidden Instincts. Title change to indicate prelude to the new TALL, DARK, AND DEADLY trilogy coming in late 2011.

Review by Lynelle:

Secrets Exposed is the prelude to Tall, Dark, and Deadly series. Umm, WOW. That’s what I thought of this book. This is the first book I’ve read by Lisa Renee Jones, and I think it’s safe to say I plan to read many more, and as I’ve already purchased, and plan to read very soon, the 1st book in the Tall, Dark, and Deadly trilogy, Hot Secrets.

Now I’m not going to get too much into the description of the book as the summary above does a great job of that. We start off with Lindsay on Mark’s door step in hopes of convincing him of taking over the firm, because she doesn’t want it. Right away the sparks are flying between Mark and Lindsay. Poor Lindsay is such a conflicted character. She is strong, intelligent, and stubborn but has been thrown for a couple loops with her father’s illness, having her life turned upside down as she had to return to Manhattan, and being put in charge of a case similar to the one that caused her to leave law. What else is creep and conflicting for her is that she resembles the rape and murder victims in each of these two cases.

Mark is at the top of his game, a hotshot in his profession and mmm damn sexy. There’s just something about Lindsay that brings out the protector in him, even though he has a turbulent relationship with her dad, he is drawn to her and wants to help her in any way he can. Poor Mark tries so hard to protect Lindsay for her own good but he quickly learns that if he pushes her she will fight back. She tends to take unnecessary risks as she is determined to remind the men in her life that she is very capable of taking care of herself and she is a trained FBI agent.

This book is very suspenseful and is had me guessing the whole time who the murderer was, when he was going to make a play for Lindsay, and what will happen with the relationship that starts to form with Mark and Lindsay. I honestly did not see it coming at the time when murderer revealed himself and who it was! Oh, and the chemistry between Mark and Lindsay was sizzling *fans self* I probably could have read this book in one sitting, but as I started it at night, I had to put it down, but couldn’t wait till the next day to finish it!

Review: The Half-Breed Vampire by Theresa Meyers

Ignorant of his true heritage, half-breed Slade Donovan is fated to feel like an outsider among his clan. Until a mysterious woman arrives with the ability to unlock his secrets—and make him crave a future he never believed he could have. As a game warden, Raina Ravenwing has only one mission in the Cascade Mountains: to hunt down a pack of rare wolves that is terrorizing her tribe. Her instant attraction to Slade is a distraction the beautiful wolf whisperer can't afford, unless she agrees to let him help her. Yet working so closely together only intensifies their passion even as the unfolding truth of Slade's identity threatens everything Raina holds sacred.

Review by Lynelle:

Slade Donovan is a security enforcer for his vampire clan. He doesn’t remember much from his life before he was 8 years old when he was living on the streets and was taken in by his current clan. He made his own choice to become a vampire. Slade struggles with feels that there is something different about him as he experiences “moon sickness” and because of this difference he doesn’t really feel like he belongs.

Slade is the best tracker in his clan so when Officer Raina Ravenwing comes to seek help from the vampires to help her track down some wolves that have been causing trouble, Slade is her man. She doesn’t know werewolves exist, but Slade knows that’s what they are dealing with. As they work together to track down this pack, Raina reveals she and others from her tribe knows about his past and who his mother was and they help to fill in the blanks for him. Like Slade’s mother, Raina is her tribes “Wolf-Whisper” and she didn’t know what that meant until they encounter the wolves and was able to communicate with them in their wolf form.

Slade and Raina kind of butt heads at first and I found their commentary pretty funny and loved some of Slade’s snarky comments as he teases Raina. As they spend more time together, their attraction grows very quickly, and their chemistry together sparks! They of course fall in love, as is what I look for in romance books, but I felt they fall in love a little too quickly for me.

I really enjoyed this story and I really liked Slade and Raina. This is the 3rd book in a series which I have not read the 2 previous books and I didn’t feel like that hindered me in following along easily. There are some interesting twists to the story that effect Slade and Raina in very different ways that just brings it all together. Really the only issue I had with this book was the abruptness of the ending which left me with a lot of questions, which I’m hoping will be answered in the next book? Here’s hoping so.

ARC Review: The Wolf Who Loved Me by Lydia Dare

A new sexy Regency paranormal trilogy from bestselling author Lydia Dare. The Hadley brothers are unruly Lycans (werewolves) who need to learn how to behave in polite society. Can this pack of ‘gentlemen’ be trained in the ways of the ton, or is it too late to teach an old Lycan new tricks? Each book chronicles the schooling of a Hadley brother and the woman who tames- or is seduced by - him.

Lady Madeline Hayburn is called upon to lend her respectability to introduce the Hadley brothers to society. Mr. Weston Hadley has a huge chip on his shoulder and a scary scar on his cheek. He admires Lady Hayburn from afar, yet his very presence makes Maddie shiver with desires she never experienced before.

Review by Lynelle:

Weston has been admiring Madeline from afar since the day he laid eyes on her, but Madeline finds his consent attention on her intimidating. They’ve not really exchanged more than a few words in the 3 years since they’ve met. Weston is one of the “Penniless Hadley brothers” and his is reckless, a rouge and very much a sweetheart but he seems to continually make an fool of himself, which I found quite humorous.

Madeline is a respectable lady and is expected to make and adventitious marriage due to her station but she dislikes all the prospective husbands her father parades in front of her. But as these suitors vie for her attention, Weston comes across as her savior and scares them away when he is near due to his penetrating gaze and scared face. She is confused about her feelings for
Weston as she realizes that he would never he a suitable suitor but is still drawn to him.

When one night Madeline witnesses Wes change into his wolf, he has to protect his family and kidnaps her and takes her to Scotland so they can elope so that she will be forced to keep his secret as her reputation will be tied to his. They are chased by Madeline’s father, the duke, and we meet another werewolf along the way. Although Madeline has a few chances to escape
Weston, she chooses to stay with him and see this through.

I thought this story was sweet and I loved how much of a sweetheart Weston was. He knows in society’s eye he is beneath Lady Madeline, but regardless of his feelings for her, he is willing to give her up if that’s what she wants and would be best for her. He wants to be a more respectable man in order to deserve Madeline. Madeline also grows on their adventure. She discovers more about who she is and what she wants and becomes someone who isn’t afraid to let it be known what she desires in life.

This is the first book by Lydia Dare that I’ve read so I wasn’t familiar with any of the stories that came before this one, but I did not feel like that hindered me in understanding to world and the relationships within all the characters involved. I really enjoyed this book and will be looking into reading other books by Lydia Dare.

Forever Romance Western Giveaway

 

Catch Me A Cowboy (Deep in the Heart of Texas #3)

 Shirlene Dalton has it all: a dream marriage to a man who spoils her rotten and the most outrageous mansion Bramble, Texas, has ever seen. But when her husband unexpectedly dies, Shirlene finds herself right back where she started-in a rundown trailer on the wrong side of the tracks. Never the type to let a little bad luck and a whole heap of heartache get her down, Shirlene is ready to prove to the local gossips she can make it on her own... until she ends up living next door to the most tempting cowboy in town.

Billy Wilkes has a score to settle and a plan to wipe Bramble right off the map. But when his sexy, redheaded neighbor figures out what he's up to, his good ol' boy charm won't be enough to save him. With the town on his tail, Billy will have to come clean quick -- or kiss Shirlene goodbye.

Quinn (Wyoming Sky)

The Truth Can Be an Irresistible Temptation . . .

As a young boy, Quinn Conway was shattered by his mother's mysterious disappearance. Today, as the oldest of the Conway brothers, his only concern is protecting his family and their ranch. One look at beautiful, strong-willed Cheyenne O'Brien tells him she's also no stranger to tragedy. A series of increasingly dangerous "accidents" are plaguing her and her land, and Quinn can't stand idly by while a woman is in danger. Fiercely independent, Cheyenne isn't one to lean on others, yet she can't deny her attraction to the rugged rancher offering help. Soon, the passion building between them proves as wild and untamed as the land she loves-and just as impossible to resist. But a relentless enemy is about to make one final devastating move. To survive, Quinn and Cheyenne must put their cherished freedom-and their hearts-at risk . . .

 

Giveaway!

3 lucky winners will win a copy of each book!

• Open to US/Canada only
• No PO boxes please

Just add your email in a comment if you are interested in entering the giveaway.  Giveaway is open until  03/23/12 12PM EST.  Winners will be chosen using random.org and winners will be emailed.

Good luck!

ARC Review: DARKEST SEDUCTION by Gena Showalter

"At long last, New York Times bestselling author Gena Showalter unveils the story of Paris, the darkest and most tormented Lord of the Underworld….Possessed by the demon of Promiscuity, immortal warrior Paris is irresistibly seductive—but his potent allure comes at a terrible price. Every night he must bed someone new, or weaken and die. And the woman he craves above all others is the one woman he'd thought was forever beyond his reach…until now. Newly possessed by the demon of Wrath, Sienna Blackstone is racked by a ruthless need to punish those around her. Yet in Paris's arms, the vulnerable beauty finds soul-searing passion and incredible peace. Until a blood feud between ancient enemies heats up.Will the battle against gods, angels and creatures of the night bind them eternally—or tear them apart?"

Mass Market Paperback, 504 pages

Published February 28th 2012 by HQN Books

ISBN

0373776578 (ISBN13: 9780373776573)

edition language English

original title The Darkest Seduction

url http://members.genashowalter.com/profiles/blogs/the-cover-and-blurb-for-the-darkest-seduction

series Lords of the Underworld #9

Review: 

 

The Darkest Seduction is the book I think I have been waiting for since the series started. I mean Paris is the tortured hero who lost the one woman who he feels is made for him. I found Paris more interesting since his demon won’t let him sleep with the same woman twice. Now you would thing Paris would be proud of this but no really he is far from that. This is something he must do to stay alive. After having sex with Sienna, he really feels a deeper connection with her. And when she dies it really takes a toll on Paris throughout the series.

Now that Sienna has been brought back to life and has been placed with the demon Wrath brings an interesting spin on the series. Paris is more determined to find her. I think this is more the breakout book of the series. This is the book where things are explained and are set up for not only the Lords but the spinoff series that is set to come out in a few months. When I say a lot is set up I mean that. New characters come into play, some die, artifacts are found and a war is brewing.

Now this is along book of 512 pages and a lot of information. Sometimes I was asking myself “was all this necessary?” A lot of things were repeated that I didn’t think was so necessary. That took away from the story just a tad. Sometimes with the whole Paris and Sienna “love” I just got bored and I found myself really interested in the side characters and wondering when their part was coming up. I mean

As always the characters that we know and love entertain throughout the book and I found myself laughing out loud at some of their antics. William is so funny!!! I couldn’t help myself by getting caught up in him as he speaks. Kane is more than interesting and the way the story plays out I believe his book is next and if it is OMG!!! His character is tied in with one of the Four Horsemen who just so happens to be tied to William. So as you can see this series is far from finished when all these twists and turns are thrown in.

Finishing this book was bitter sweet. I loved some parts but was more interested in what is about to come not only for the Lords but everyone. There is even an OMG moment that is thrown into the mix and I have to say I was never expecting it. Gena did an awesome job at keeping her readers not only invested in the series but entertained and on edge. Seriously if you haven’t read this series you must!! It is like nothing you have ever encountered. It really was another great addition to the series that will leave you wanting more and more.

The Darkest Seduction is the book I think I have been waiting for since the series started. I mean Paris is the tortured hero who lost the one woman who he feels is made for him. I found Paris more interesting since his demon won’t let him sleep with the same woman twice. Now you would thing Paris would be proud of this but no really he is far from that. This is something he must do to stay alive. After having sex with Sienna, he really feels a deeper connection with her. And when she dies it really takes a toll on Paris throughout the series.

Now that Sienna has been brought back to life and has been placed with the demon Wrath brings an interesting spin on the series. Paris is more determined to find her. I think this is more the breakout book of the series. This is the book where things are explained and are set up for not only the Lords but the spinoff series that is set to come out in a few months. When I say a lot is set up I mean that. New characters come into play, some die, artifacts are found and a war is brewing.

Now this is along book of 512 pages and a lot of information. Sometimes I was asking myself “was all this necessary?” A lot of things were repeated that I didn’t think was so necessary. That took away from the story just a tad. Sometimes with the whole Paris and Sienna “love” I just got bored and I found myself really interested in the side characters and wondering when their part was coming up. I mean

As always the characters that we know and love entertain throughout the book and I found myself laughing out loud at some of their antics. William is so funny!!! I couldn’t help myself by getting caught up in him as he speaks. Kane is more than interesting and the way the story plays out I believe his book is next and if it is OMG!!! His character is tied in with one of the Four Horsemen who just so happens to be tied to William. So as you can see this series is far from finished when all these twists and turns are thrown in.

Finishing this book was bitter sweet. I loved some parts but was more interested in what is about to come not only for the Lords but everyone. There is even an OMG moment that is thrown into the mix and I have to say I was never expecting it. Gena did an awesome job at keeping her readers not only invested in the series but entertained and on edge. Seriously if you haven’t read this series you must!! It is like nothing you have ever encountered. It really was another great addition to the series that will leave you wanting more and more.

 

Review: King of the Isles by Debbie Mazzuca

She'll find him a bride if it's the last thing she does.

And it very well might be. Evangeline may be powerfully persuasive in her way, but convincing the notoriously wild highland king Lachlan MacLeod to strengthen his alliances with a strategic marriage seems to be asking the impossible. Stubborn and proud, Lachlan seems determined to go against her will, even if it means endangering the people he's sworn to protect and the enchanted isle that has already seen so much discord.

Yet the battle-scarred Highlander cannot ignore his sultry advisor for long. When his mentor is kidnapped, forcing him to ride into combat alongside the beautiful Evangeline, he must choose between her safety and his own independence. It's a choice he makes in an instant. . .but once wed to the woman he could not resist, he'll soon find that his heart is in even greater danger than his kingdom. . .

Review by Lynelle:

First off, I love this series! This is the 3rd book in Debbie’s Men of the Isles series based around a family of Scottish Highlanders the MacLeod family (yum).

Lachlan MacLeod is half fae/half human and is the King of the Fae of the Enchanted Isles. Lachlan has been king for 2 years and is seen (in the eyes of Evangeline) as doing little consuming himself with women and drinking and not taking his position seriously. Prior to becoming king he was tortured by humans because of his fae blood. He has always had a difficult time embracing that part of himself as his human father tried to kill him at a young age and being shunned by others once they learn he is part fae. He is a sexy drool worthy highlander who is very stubborn and has closed off his heart and emotions.

Evangeline is the most powerful and feared sorceress of the fae. She has been living in the shadow of her mother, who was pretty evil, and almost everyone fears she will become evil as well, especially her father, who has been trying to rid the fae of her “evil” blood. She doesn’t have many people close to her. Evangeline is a very loyal person and tries to make up for her mom’s mistakes. She has lived a very lonely life and has dedicated it solely to protecting the fae by any means.

When war with another Fae kingdom threatens to break out, Lachlan and Evie must work together, despite how much they dislike each other. There is great action, and definite emotional turmoil. Both Lachlan and Evie have both had a very difficult past and have a hard time trusting others and they try to fight against their attraction for each other. This causes a lot of suffering between them as they struggle to open themselves up to trust each other. It broke my heart on several occasions, which was usually Lachlan being hard-headed and jumping to conclusions without taking the time to listen to Evie.

I absolutely love this series and this book met my expectations I have set from the first two books. If you enjoy historical romance/paranormal all mixed together this would be a great series to read! I’d definitely recommend starting with the previous books Lord of the Isles and Warrior of the Isles, but it’s not necessary in order to enjoy this book.

ARC Review: Tempted by Blood (Sweetblood #3) by Laurie London

 "Deep within the forests of the Pacific Northwest, the battle for supremacy rages on between two Vampire coalitions:

Guardian enforcers sworn to protect humanity, and Darkbloods, rogues who kill like their ancient ancestors….

He might be known for his effortless charm, but Guardian Jackson Foss is hiding a terrible secret. For months, he has battled the emergence of his dark nature—deadly urges that threaten to consume him. And those cravings only intensify when he meets Arianna Wells, the human he's been assigned to protect. Smart and perceptive, Arianna doesn't seem like a dangerous temptress. Yet she awakens in Jackson an unstoppable need that, if left unchecked, will brand him a traitor…a crime punishable by death.

But soon their bond may be Arianna's only hope. For stalking her in the shadows is a merciless enemy—one who will stop at nothing to claim her completely…"

Mass Market Paperback, 384 pages

Published February 21st 2012 by HQN Books

ISBN 0373776454 (ISBN13: 9780373776450)

edition language

English original title Tempted by Blood 

 

 

Review: 

 

I love the Sweetblood series by Laurie London. From the very first book the series tends to suck you into a world that can be a tad dark, but there is light at the end of the tunnel for each and every character. I was super excited to find out this book was about bad boy Jackson, who I absolutely loved from the moment he was introduced in the first book. The way that Laurie made Jackson so mysterious was of pure genius. Even though he is portrayed as the playboy type you can tell that there is so much more to him than meets the eye. It honestly just took the right woman to bring him out of his shell.

When Arianna was a young girl she watched her mother die, but no one believes her that her mother was killed by a “shadow”. After staring a blog Arianna comes to find out the truth of what really had happened. It’s up to her to be the voice of the past and present. Now she has to guard her cousin Krystal (with a K) after she is kidnapped by the Darkbloods . Now Jackson is the Guardian to protect her against the wrong. Now that he is thrown into the mix who is going to save Jackson from falling in love? This one woman will bring this playboy to his knees and there will be no back tracking when things start to come together.


Every single guy in this series had a bad edge until the woman come and show them how it is going to be. What I like most about this series is that there are strong females who tend to bring in the story full force. They are a forced to be reckoned with. Sure the men are a major turn on but a strong woman is well worth the read. It makes It not only more exciting, but the level of heat and tension has a major rise on every scene.

Jackson’s story was not only worth it in the end but a fantastic addiction to this series. I am really excited to see what Laurie will come up come with next for this series. It is enough that I never want to put it down. I am truly interested to see where this is headed. Every part of this book made me want more and more.

Again Laurie had not only brought the fire but has brought you an edge that you just can’t help fall in love with. You are going to want to read about each guardian and how their story will turn out. Overall, it is fantastic series that is detailed. I adored it from the first page to the end. *dreamy sigh* Jackson is the man!!

Review: One Night Steined (Love Bots #4) by Daisy Harris

Kuriko Mai is a stein with an issue. She never remembers sex. Nor does she recall meeting the men she finds in her bed. Cursed with flawed programming, she’s all but given up hope of having a normal life. However, after years of watching her suffer, her boss Frank can’t stand it anymore, and he’s determined to make her remember any way he can.

Frank has always loved Kuri. And when he finds himself in a heated embrace with her, he can’t walk away—even knowing she may not remember him in the morning. But when it’s obvious Kuri recalls moments of the passion they shared, the two decide to become lovers in hopes Frank holds the key to ending her malfunctioning programming. Their plan backfires when their erotic experience opens a floodgate of memories so painful, Kuri breaks down.

In order to move forward, Kuri has to face her past. She just doesn’t know if she can risk the pain loving Frank could cause.

Reviewed by Lynelle:

This is the 4th book in Daisy Harris’s Love Bots series. A couple of her other books in this series has crossed my path and I was a little hesitant about if I wanted to read them because I wasn’t sure what I thought about the whole Zombies or “Steins” thing. Steins are the reanimated dead who are programmed with characteristics and used by humans. When I think of Zombies I’m thinking The Walking Dead, but it was easy to get past that idea with this story.

Frank King is a stein and the leader of Zombie Underground who’s made it his mission to rescue steins and work to reprogram them and help them live a normal life. He seems lonely and self-conscious about his appearance due to many scars and being patched together with different colored skin. He appears overbearing and trying to manage the others, but is just trying to do what he thinks is best. Frank really cares for Kuriko Mai, a fellow stein that he rescued. Kuri was programmed as a prostitute and who doesn’t remember her sexual encounters. She is strong and tries to be accepting of her limitations and glitches that she has no control over which causes her to fall back on her prostitute programming. She is pretty stubborn and fights to prove she can be independent.

I enjoyed Frank and Kuri’s story and really the only thing that bugged me was that when Kuri started to get bombarded with memories.. she runs away. I get it, it’s over whelming, Frank can be pretty overbearing, but she left everyone and everything she knew. I didn’t get how she’d want to go off on her own knowing what she’s done when she “glitches” and blacks out. This was a quick read and I enjoyed it and the outcome of the story. After meeting some of the other characters I plan to go back and read the books that came first.

Review: Kiss of the Vampire (Warriors of the Rift #1) by Cynthia Garner

Warriors of the Rift

Once a generation, the rift between the paranormal world and the human world opens, allowing entities to cross. Vampire, demon, or shapeshifter, they can save the world-or send it spiraling into chaos.

Half-demon, half-human, Nix de la Fuente is accepted by neither and mistrusted by both. Determined to prove she's more human than not, she devotes herself to solving crimes between the world's mortals and its most unsavory undead. But her latest case brings her face to face with the one vampire she could never resist . . .

Called in to investigate a string of violent murders, special agent Tobias Caine isn't interested in rekindling his relationship with Nix. Yet one look and the vampire knows his need for her is as strong as ever. Once, their all-consuming passion nearly cost Nix her fragile hold on her humanity. Now, as their hunger for one another intensifies, exposing them to an unimaginable danger, it could cost them both their lives.

Review by Lynelle:

The Rift, which occurs once a generation, is an opening between dimensions that has allowed supernatural beings to come here on earth. These beings have taken over the bodies of some humans, turning them into vampires, shifters, demons, fae, etc. Nix de la Fuente is a half-human/half-demon hybrid and is the human liaison between local police and the Council of Preternatural. Nix is currently working on a case with Human Detective Dante MacMillan where the 2nd vampire as been murdered in a short time. While on the scene she comes face to face with the new vampire liaison for the Council, Tobias Caine, her ex-boyfriend who up and left her 5 years before.

There is a lot of tension between Nix and Tobias with her anger towards him for leaving with little explanation and their major sexual tension. Thank goodness for Dante who is usually able to break some of the tension with his witty comments. I just loved Dante who is very laid back and pretty charming. As the 3 of them work together to unravel this mystery, we also unravel the miscommunication between Nix and Tobias and they work through their feelings together and the reasons that Tobias left 5 years ago.

The only trouble I had with this story is that it was hard for me to feel the love between Nix and Tobias. Oh, I got their lust loud and clear ;) but didn’t feel the love. Maybe if there was more info on their past relationship and how they *fell* in love, but the only memories that either had about their past relationship was the sex and passion. They often referred to their difficulty with dealing with their love for each other and working so close together on the case, but I just didn’t feel it.

Other then that I really liked this story and I find the world that Cynthia has built very interesting. I liked the characters and thought Nix, Tobias and Dante made a great team and even with Tobias was the designated leader he was able to see the strengths in the other two. I thought Cynthia did a great job keeping me guessing on who was behind the vampire murders and the why of it. I felt the details were reveled at a good pace as was the whole book and I was happy with the outcome.

I am really looking forward to reading the second book and seeing what happens next in this world and with these characters. I’m also excited because the book 2 follows the charming Detective Dante. Ohh, I can’t wait ;)

Giveaway with Forever Romance

 

 

With This Kiss (Emerald Lake Series #2)

 

Love can find you when you least expect it . . . Fireworks. That's what innkeeper Rebecca Campbell wants. And no matter how close their friendship, she and her former fianc never shared that. Now, with a broken engagement behind her and a promise she's vowed to keep, Rebecca is determined to make a new life for herself in Emerald Lake. She just never expected sparks to fly this quickly . . . Coming home and falling for his little brother's girl wasn't Sean Murphy's plan. Rebecca's sweet smile and kind heart make Sean feel at home-something he's never felt before. But a secret lingers between them, and no matter how powerful their attraction, Sean can't give his heart to a woman he can't trust. Or can he? As the days pass, Rebecca and Sean find it harder and harder to deny their desire. And they are in beautiful Emerald Lake, the perfect place for falling in love . . 

 

 

Last Chance Beauty Queen

 Dear Reader,
Gracious me, my beautiful daughter Rocky sure could use my help. I always knew she wasn't much interested in the local boys - but who'd have thought she'd come home with English royalty?
Trouble is, Hugh wants to buy some of our folks' land. We don't want to sell, but Rocky's job depends on her closing the deal. And though Hugh's obviously smitten, I'm not sure he's right for my Rocky. Oh, he's classy and handsome - and you should've seen the way he judged pies and fixed stock cars at our Watermelon Festival! - but what do we know about him, really? I know I sound like a nervous mother hen, but after forty happy years with my Elbert, all I want is to see my little girl find the same.
Well, time for me to quit chattering and get back to Miss Bray's wet set. Always nice talking to you, and remember: the Cut 'n Curl's got hot rollers, free coffee, and the best gossip in town.
See you real soon,
Ruby Rhodes

 

Giveaway!

3 lucky winners will win a copy of each book!

• Open to US/Canada only
• No PO boxes please

Just add your email in a comment if you are interested in entering the giveaway.  Giveaway is open until  03/12/12 12PM EST.  Winners will be chosen using random.org and winners will be emailed.

Good luck!

Review: Eternal Captive (Mark of the Vampire #3) by Laura Wright

Lucian Roman knows he must stay away from Bronwyn Kettler for sanity's sake. Since feeding her his blood, he can think of nothing else but possessing her—fighting an uncontrollable desire to kill her, if he has to, and the vampire she has sworn to wed.

Bronwyn, a brilliant vampire genealogist, can never escape her connection to Lucian. He sustained her when she was starving. He still rules her dreams. And when the nights get dark enough, she still craves him. Though is essence courses through her body, she has found a true mate in someone else.

But when a dangerous enemy threatens Bronwyn, only Lucian—bound to her forever by blood—can save her life. Even if it means sacrificing his own.


Review by Lynelle:


Lucian Roman is destined to become the next Breeding Male, as his father was. The Breeding Male is like an animal controlled by his hunger and desires and the need to spread his seed is so strong that he will take any female around, even it if means rape. Lucian appears to accept that this is his fate, but would rather die than become an animal and a danger to others. And if he can just keep himself from having sex with Bronwyn (which would trigger this gene due to having shared his blood with her) he’d be fine, except that he wants her sooo bad.

Oh Luca, I absolutely loved him from the beginning with his smart-ass attitude. He tries to put on a hard front, like he doesn’t care in order to keep those around him safe. Underneath his sarcastic, arrogant, I don’t give a f#*% façade he is very caring and very self sacrificing. I’ve liked Bronwyn since she was introduced in the first book. She is strong and doesn’t back down to Lucian when he is trying to intimidate her. As much as she tries to prevent herself from becoming a “victim” of the Breeding Male and they both try to fight their desire for each other, the evil bad guy has other plans and forces them together. With everything against them, they are just so drawn to each other that they can’t fight desire any longer and they are so great together.

Eternal Captive is the 3rd book in the Mark of the Vampire series by Laura Wright. I absolutely am hooked to this series and could not put any of the books down and in my opinion each book just gets better. If you haven’t read the first 2 books in this series Eternal Hunger and Eternal Kiss, I’d absolute would do that first. As those books are based around Lucian’s brothers Alex and Nicky you are given a look at how Lucian and Bronwyn’s relationship begins and everything that has led this group of characters to the point they are at in Eternal Captive. I loved the side stories with the new characters that were introduced and there’s a great little twist at the end to set up for the next book Eternal Beast, I just can’t wait!! Also the next book is about Gray and I heart him ;)

Guest Post & Giveawy with Author Rachel Lyndhurst

Writers are usually voracious readers too and it was through the joy of reading that I find myself published by the amazing Entangled Publishing as part of their Indulgence line.

This is how it all began …

About five years ago a little miracle happened when the second grumpiest baby in the world actually fell asleep in his pram going round a charity shop (the first grumpiest had just started school). After years of sleep deprivation and the self-neglect most new mums go through, I was beginning to feel desperate. Desperate for something different, desperate for something just for me, desperate for an escape from the hideous routine of it all and then I saw it. The little paperback had a photo of Santorini on it, the blurb promised romance, luxury and of course a gorgeous Greek, just about as far from reality as it was possible for me to get right then.

I’d never read a Harlequin romance before, I’d never read a romance per se (far too much of a literary snob!), but that day I sat down on a damp park bench and read something properly for what felt like the first time in five years. It was bliss. That little book fitted snugly into my handbag and the chapters were just short enough for me to treat myself whenever I could sneak the odd half an hour. Before I knew it, I was hooked– I truly believe those books preserved my sanity!

Then we got our first computer. The first thing I did was book my grocery shopping online; the second was to Google an author whose lovely book I was currently reading. My jaw dropped when I read her biography, she’d written her first book on the kitchen table surrounded by children. My youngest was just about to start preschool and I thought “well if she did it, I wonder if …?”

It didn’t happen overnight, and I can’t pretend it’s been an easy journey, but now I have my very own gorgeous Greek hero to be proud of in Kidnapped by the Greek Billionaire. I’m published. Dreams do come true.

Rachel will be giving away a ebook. Please leave a email address in your comment to win so I am able to contact you. Just answer the question... what do you love about romance? Good Luck!!! 

Here’s the blurb:

Kidnapped!

Or that’s what it feels like to Kizzy Dean when a business disagreement with arrogant Greek lawyer Andreas Lazarides leaves her no choice but to accompany him to the Greek Isle of Rhodes. It doesn’t help matters that this sexy brooding stranger, who is unaccustomed to the word No and the very idea of commitment, shows her what it feels like to be truly desired.

Amidst the ancient myths and alleyways, tensions run high as Kizzy feels an immediate attraction for the man she wants to both ravage and strangle.

Accustomed to gold-digging women, Andreas is mesmerized by Kizzy’s feisty nature and Gypsy beauty. Guilt and sorrow have been his only bedfellows since his sister’s death, but Kizzy stirs up a desire he’s unwilling to succumb to . . . until she makes him an offer he simply can’t refuse.

Rachel now writes full-time when her children are at school, but is still proud of her law degree and accountancy qualifications. She has worked in the space industry, pharmaceuticals, insurance, a supermarket, a bus station, a railway depot, and a lingerie department.

She lives with her daughter, son and The Exec in Fareham, Hampshire, on the south coast of England and can sometimes smell the sea from her back garden. When not working, her hobbies include rummaging through antique shops, talking to her chocolate brown Rex rabbit and popping into Sainsbury’s. She also has a fondness for wine and expensive lipstick.

Rachel loves to hear from readers. Visit her at http://rachellyndhurst.blogspot.com

Kidnapped by the Greek Billionaire can be purchased at:

Amazon.co.uk http://amzn.to/w86FU9

Amazon.com http://amzn.to/yhbd1a

Barnes & Noble http://bit.ly/zBeu77