Friday, September 28, 2012

Review: Hell Transporter


Hell Transporter
Hell Transporter by Cyndi Tefft

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



GoodReads Synopsis: Aiden MacRae has been given a new life after being stuck transporting souls to heaven for the last three hundred years. He doesn't know the culture, the times or the slang, but there is one thing he does know: he didn't come forward alone.

The master of hell has other plans for the Scottish Highlander and has sent a transporter of his own to get the deed done. Will Lindsey be able to save him or get caught in the crossfire?

My Thoughts: An equally sweet continuation of “Believe”. “Believe” didn’t have a danger element that this one did. Apparently, when Aiden was able to “come back” a Hell Transporter came through at the same time. That Hell Transporter wants Aiden all to itself. The question is who is the Hell Transporter.

I was frustrated that Lindsey was unable to confide in her father, especially considering how close they were. But she shared Aiden’s secret with other people she knew even less. Aidan and his accent continue to be dreamy in this story. The pacing was good and it was full of drama, mystery and romance…plus a few new characters. I really did like the world of Lindsey and Aiden, even though Lindsey did tend to worry too much. LOL, but who doesn’t.




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Review: Persephone


Persephone
Persephone by Kaitlin Bevis

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



GoodReads Synopsis: There are worse things than death, worse people too

The “talk” was bad enough, but how many teens get told that they’re a goddess? When her mom tells her, Persephone is sure her mother has lost her mind. It isn’t until Boreas, the god of winter, tries to abduct her that she realizes her mother was telling the truth. Hades rescues her, and in order to safely bring Persephone to the Underworld he marks her as his bride. But Boreas will stop at nothing to get Persephone. Despite her growing feelings for Hades, Persephone wants to return to the living realm. Persephone must find a way to defeat Boreas and reclaim her life

My Thoughts: I really liked where Bevis took the ancient Greek mythology. In Bevis’s world, the Gods that are still alive have mostly relocated to Athens, Georgia. The Gods that ran out of worshippers a long time ago, died. Those, like Demeter, who still have some priestesses and follows are still thriving in the current day and age.

Persephone is, of course, Demeter’s daughter. Persephone knows nothing about her mother’s Godliness. That is until Persephone’s powers start to come in and she becomes a beacon for other living Gods, like Boreas, the God of Winter, who wants to possess Persephone. It’s during one of these possession attempts that Persephone is saved by Hades and she discovers the truth of her lineage.

I loved that Hades is portrayed as a caring soul. He knows that most of the souls in his care are good folks and he wants them to have a happy afterlife. He is surrounded by friends who are more like family and they make Persephone feel welcome.

Persephone, for her age, is a reasonable and mature teenager. She didn’t whine and accepted what was going on very well. Once she understood her Godliness she accepted the responsibilities that came along with it. I guess I couldn’t help but like her.

This was a fun read with a quick pace. Easily devoured in one sitting. Bevis did leave us with a bit of a cliffhanger so I will be looking for another installment, not only for the resolution but also because I genuinely like her characters. Especially Hades.




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Review: Scorch


Scorch
Scorch by Gina Damico

My rating: 5 of 5 stars



GoodReads Synopsis: Sixteen-year-old Lex Bartleby is a teenage grim reaper with the bizarre ability to damn souls. That makes her pretty scary, even to fellow Grims. But after inadvertently transferring her ability to Zara, a murderous outlaw, Lex is a pariah in Croak, the little town she calls home.

To escape the townspeople’s wrath, she and her friends embark on a wild road trip to DeMyse. Though this sparkling desert oasis is full of luxuries and amusements, it feels like a prison to Lex. Her best chance at escape would be to stop Zara once and for all—but how can she do that from DeMyse, where the Grims seem mysteriously oblivious to Zara’s killing spree?

My Thoughts: “Scorch” picks up shortly after Cordy’s funeral. Lex and Uncle Mort have been out picking up new recruits and the two that they bring back to Croak are flippin hysterical. Bang, who never says a word, and Pip, her foster brother who seems to do nothing but ask inane questions.

Zara is still out there and she is damning anyone and everyone, including innocents. The whole story is a race against time to get a hold of something Zara is looking for and she’s going to keep damning one person a day until she gets it. Needless to say people are dying left and right and no one is safe

Almost as irreverent as “Croak”. Damico is the queen of snark as far as I am concerned! I picked up several new insults and euphemisms from “Scorch”. I’m still laughing at them!

Damico continued Lex’s story in a very interesting fashion, really, no one is safe…you will be completely surprised by what happens and to whom it happens. I really love authors who have the attitude that “everyone is expendible”, it makes the story so much more exciting. We also go to experience another Reaper community and it was worth the price of admission, alone. I loved it! Scorch is going to leave you begging for more with a really HUGE cliffhanger! Can’t wait to see what happens next!




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Monday, September 24, 2012

Review: Fire After Dark


Fire After Dark
Fire After Dark by Sadie Matthews

My rating: 1 of 5 stars



GoodReads Synopsis: It started with a spark... Everything changed when I met Dominic. My heart had just been broken, split into jagged fragments that can jigsaw together to make me look enough like a normal, happy person. Dominic has shown me a kind of abandonment I've never known before. He takes me down a path of pure pleasure, but of pain, too - his love offers me both lightness and dark. And where he leads me, I have no choice but to follow. Deeply intense and romantic, provocative and sensual, FIRE AFTER DARK will take you to a place where love and sex are liberated from their limits.

**TITLE INTENDED FOR AN ADULT AUDIENCE**

My Thoughts: UGH! Where to start…A Dom named Dominic…Really??? I should have seen that as a sign. **BEWARE – WHOLE NOVEL SPOILED AHEAD**

The story is really contrived and tries way too hard. Plain, boring, Tessa has only ever had one boyfriend, even plainer Adam. She caught him inflagrante delecto with her friend. Now she is flat sitting for an aunt in the big city, London.

She spies the handsome dude across the courtyard and she spies on him from her darkened sitting room. They meet, Insta-Love, he pushes her away because he is into BDSM and it will never work. She does all sorts of things to get him back, including enlisting her gay boss, and convinces Dom she can be his sub, only he loses control. They break up, she decides she wants him back, he’s decided to travel for work so he can figure out what went wrong cuz only then can they get back together.

Of course the ending is left wide open for a sequel…No thanks. I don’t mind cheesey when the book isn’t taking itself to seriously…This was not the case. BLECH!




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Review: Between


Between
Between by Cyndi Tefft

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



GoodReads Synopsis: It just figures that the love of Lindsey Water's life isn't alive at all, but the grim reaper, complete with a dimpled smile and Scottish accent.

After transporting souls to heaven for the last 300 years, Aiden MacRae has all but given up on finding the one whose love will redeem him and allow him entry through the pearly gates.

Torn between her growing attraction to Aiden and heaven's siren song, Lindsey must learn the hard way whether love really can transcend all boundaries.

My Thoughts: This was just an incredibly sweet story! I laughed and cried. I devoured this book in one sitting.

There is a case of that “Insta-Love” in this book, that so many people are not fond of. I understand it, but having experienced a bit of my own “love at first sight” and am still married to him 20 years later, it doesn’t bother me. In this case the “Insta-Love” works out well as an obstacle in the follow-up book to “Believe”, “Hell Transporter”.

I loved Aiden MacRae and his kilt wearing self! He is exactly what any father would want for his daughter. Part of that comes from the fact that he lived 300 years in the past. But he does love Lindsay wholeheartedly and it’s obvious.

Lindsay is sweet and extremely likeable. I did get frustrated that she was able to tell the hospital priest everything that happened, but that she couldn’t tell her own father. I appreciated her frustration and her questioning of God and His decisions. I am sure I would have done much the same in her place.

I’m not big on being preached to, and while this book has a decidedly religious bend to it, I didn’t feel like the victim of a 100+ page sermon. Tefft got her message across in a very subtle way and in a story that left you wanting more.




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Review: Reflected in You


Reflected in You
Reflected in You by Sylvia Day

My rating: 3 of 5 stars



GoodReads Synopsis: Gideon Cross. As beautiful and flawless on the outside as he was damaged and tormented on the inside. He was a bright, scorching flame that singed me with the darkest of pleasures. I couldn't stay away. I didn't want to. He was my addiction... my every desire... mine.


My past was as violent as his, and I was just as broken. We’d never work. It was too hard, too painful... except when it was perfect. Those moments when the driving hunger and desperate love were the most exquisite insanity. We were bound by our need. And our passion would take us beyond our limits to the sweetest, sharpest edge of obsession.

My Thoughts: I liked "Reflected in You", but didn't LOVE it. I got very frustrated with Gideon and his inability to share ANYTHING with Eva. He’d promise to fill her in, yet didn’t. Although he finally did breakdown and share what happened to him when he was younger.

I got frustrated with Eva turning her feelings for Gideon on and off like a light switch. But I did love it when she decided to turn the tables on him, hiring one of her Dad’s bodyguards to keep Gideon “safe” was genius and freakin hysterical. It was when Eve finally grew a pair and decided to quit waiting for Gideon to share and she started looking into things, herself, that I thought I could start liking her again.

I'm really hoping now that they have shared their pasts, that they will be able to help each other heal and move on to a more mutually beneficial, more adult/mature relationship because some of the very immature dynamics of their relationship are getting a bit tedious.




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Sunday, September 23, 2012

Review: The Crown of Embers


The Crown of Embers
The Crown of Embers by Rae Carson

My rating: 5 of 5 stars



GoodReads Synopsis: In the sequel to the acclaimed The Girl of Fire and Thorns, a seventeen-year-old princess turned war queen faces sorcery, adventure, untold power, and romance as she fulfills her epic destiny.

Elisa is the hero of her country. She led her people to victory against a terrifying enemy, and now she is their queen. But she is only seventeen years old. Her rivals may have simply retreated, choosing stealth over battle. And no one within her court trusts her-except Hector, the commander of the royal guard, and her companions. As the country begins to crumble beneath her and her enemies emerge from the shadows, Elisa will take another journey. With a one-eyed warrior, a loyal friend, an enemy defector, and the man she is falling in love with, Elisa crosses the ocean in search of the perilous, uncharted, and mythical source of the Godstone's power. That is not all she finds. A breathtaking, romantic, and dangerous second volume in the Fire and Thorns trilogy.

My Thoughts: I LOVED “The Girl of Fire and Thorns”!!! This was even better!!!!

I would not call Crown of Ember a one-sitting read…I just couldn’t put it down once I started it. The action and intrigue start in the first chapter and do not stop until the last page.

Elisa continues to grow and change in “Crown of Ember”. It’s so easy to forget she is “only” 17. She is dealing with running her adopted country, raising her adopted son, dealing with attempts on her life, trying to figure out how to be a stronger queen, and being forced into a political marriage. Thank goodness for trusted advisors.

Carson’s writing is lyrical in it’s beauty. She crafts such an amazing world and really knows how to keep me on the edge of my seat and my stomach full of knots. This series is quickly becoming an all-time favorite for me. I can’t wait to see what is going to happen in the final installment and if Elisa is ever going to get her “happily ever after”, knowing Carson though, I’m not going to be betting on it.




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Review: Skulduggery Pleasant


Skulduggery Pleasant
Skulduggery Pleasant by Derek Landy

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



GoodReads Synopsis: Meet Skulduggery Pleasant

Ace Detective
Snappy Dresser
Razor-tongued Wit
Crackerjack Sorcerer
and
Walking, Talking,
Fire-throwing Skeleton

--as well as ally, protector, and mentor of Stephanie Edgley, a very unusual and darkly talented twelve-year-old.

These two alone must defeat an all-consuming ancient evil.

The end of the world?

Over his dead body.

My Thoughts: What a FUN read!

Stephanie is 12 years old. A very smart and resourceful 12 year old. I loved her! She has a strong moral character. At times of trouble she has a great internal dialog forcing herself to think her way through the situation. She is a really cool chick and is wise beyond her years.

Skulduggery is a really old, really snappy, really dead skeleton. He helps protect the world from the ancient evil that most of us are unaware exists. While he likes Stephanie, he is reluctant to drag her into this world. Not that he much choice seeing as Stephanie has a mind of her own.

Great characters and a great storyline really drive this story. It’s action packed and fast moving. I believe the target audience is probably middle schoolers, but the story appeals to all ages. I am planning on reading more of this series! Landy has created an awesome world that has sucked me in, entirely.




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Wednesday, September 19, 2012

Review: Darkest Desire


Darkest Desire
Darkest Desire by Tawny Taylor

My rating: 3 of 5 stars



GoodReads Synopsis: Drako has found his woman Rin (see Darkest Fire). As the second Malek believes he has selected his mate in former sex slave Lei. However, though she is attracted to him, they have a problem with their relationship since both are doms. Adding further complications are Male is in a relationship with Brent and the Chimera targets Lei.

The second Black Gryffon erotic Celtic fantasy romance is an action-packed thriller with an intriguing love between two doms arguing who's on top. However, neither protagonist feels three dimensional though sub-genre fans, especially those who read Darkest Fire, will enjoy the heated courtship.

**INTENDED FOR AN ADULT AUDIENCE**

My Thoughts: Well, we learned a little bit more about the “Black Griffons”, as well as Rin’s sister Lei. But I was hoping to learn more about this secret they protect. The action and intrigue level was much higher in this installment which made for a better story. The characters are still lacking, but are likeable. There is some steamy sex and some very mild BDSM. The pacing is good, the story is a one sitting read that I am hoping will tie up some of the loose ends in the next, and presumably, final installment. I guess I will just have to wait and see.




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Review: Tempt Me


Tempt Me
Tempt Me by Olivia Cunning

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



3.5 Stars


GoodReads Synopsis For the five sexy rock gods of Sole Regret, finding love is easy, keeping it is hard.

One more night…

For almost a year, Madison has been Adam’s hook-up every time his band, Sole Regret, tours through Dallas. But in spite of the way he sets her body ablaze with passion, the occasional night of rock-her-world sex isn’t enough anymore. She needs a commitment and knows that won’t fit into Adam’s rock-star lifestyle. Madison will take one more hot-and-heavy night with the sexy musician before she cuts all ties with him for good. Even if she must break her own heart to do it.

To tempt him…

Life isn’t all bright lights and fan adulation for the lead guitarist for Sole Regret. Madison has seen Adam at his worst and still managed to bring out the best in him. Her cleverly concealed naughty side also brings out the beast in him. He’s never met a more tempting woman in his life.

Madison has no problem tempting Adam into her bed, but can she tempt his heart into taking a chance on love?

**TITLE INTENDED FOR AN ADULT AUDIENCE**

My Thoughts: Another one-night stand with the fictional rock band, Sole Regret. My only challenge with these novellas is that I want to read more than one-night’s worth…in this case, I really wanted to read about that trip to New Orleans…HINT HINT OLIVIA CUNNING!!!

I do enjoy Olivia’s work…it’s fun to read (especially with that special someone), fast (usually can’t put it down), and leaves you wanting more. Hence my challenge with “Sole Regret”…I regret there isn’t more story. But I will take what I can get!




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Review: A Devil in the Details


A Devil in the Details
A Devil in the Details by K.A. Stewart

My rating: 3 of 5 stars



GoodReads Synopsis: When it comes to demons, always read the fine print.

Jesse James Dawson was an ordinary guy (well, an ordinary guy with a black belt in karate) until one day he learned his brother had made a bargain with a demon, Jesse discovered there was only one way to save his brother: put up his own soul as collateral, and fight the demon to the death.

Jesse lived to free his brother-and became part of a loose organization of Champions who put their own souls on the line to help those who get in over their heads with demons. But now experienced Champions are losing battles at a much higher rate than usual. Someone has changed the game. And if Jesse can't figure out the new rules, his next battle may be his last

My Thoughts: This one had a real promising synopsis…I’m just not sure on how well it delivered.

I’m finding I love the genre “Urban Fantasy” and this is the debut of a new series. In Jesse James Dawson’s world, people make deals with the Devil, or in this case, his demons. Jesse is part of a small group that when contacted by a “dealmaker”, will take on the contract and battle to dissolve it.

The story was good, it’s just that the author’s writing style is not one that I tend to enjoy. I don’t care for long descriptive paragraphs and found myself skimming through them. But the other elements of the story made for the “wordiness” in a way that kept my interest long enough to finish the book.

I’m hoping the next installment is tightened up a bit and has a little faster pace. Regardless, I will reserve my full “judgement” until I get to see where the next book goes.




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Review: Night's Awakening


Night's Awakening
Night's Awakening by Donna Grant

My rating: 0 of 5 stars



Goodreads Synopsis: Fueled by dragon magic, the dark immortal warriors were never meant to feel human desire, much less fall in love. But when Guy, a member of an ancient order of shape-shifting warriors, meets Elena Griffin—a mere mortal whose beauty and blind ambition shakes him to his core—all bets are off…

Having left America to explore the Scottish Highlands, Elena suddenly finds herself lost in a dark cave—alone, injured, and utterly hopeless…until Guy appears from out of nowhere. Is she dreaming her own rescue when she falls into his arms? A man—and a passion—this strong is too good to be true. It’s only a matter a time before she learns the truth about the flames in his heart. And the dragon in his soul

**BOOK INTENDED FOR AN ADULT AUDIENCE**

My Thoughts: Once again this is a really quick, easy read. With this installment we start to explore the possibility of some people or group that may know of the dragons existence which added a nice sub-plot to the on-going story. Still a good balance of intimacy versus story…although I am hoping future installments will maybe have more developed characters? If not, that’s ok as long as the intrigue part picks up the slack.




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Review: Dark Craving


Dark Craving
Dark Craving by Donna Grant

My rating: 3 of 5 stars



Goodreads Synopsis: Fueled by ancient magic—and enflamed by human desire—the Dragon King known as Hal can transform himself at will into one of the legendary winged creatures he is sworn to protect. But one thing he can never do is fall in love…with a mortal woman.

Searching for her brother in Scotland—and succumbing to the freezing cold—Cassie Hunter awakens to find herself in the arms of a magnificent Highland warrior. Across his chest is the tattoo of a fiery dragon. And in his heart is a burning passion that, once unleashed, will consume them both…body and soul.

**BOOK INTENDED FOR AN ADULT AUDIENCE**

My Thoughts: This was a really quick read, only 110 pages. There was a good mix of story with steamy sex. The characters are not fully fleshed out…the book is just too short for you to get a ton of depth. I did really like the dragon mythology that Grant creates. For what it is…it’s a great book; however if you are looking for great literature, look elsewhere.




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Wednesday, September 12, 2012

Review: Silver Borne


Silver Borne
Silver Borne by Patricia Briggs

My rating: 5 of 5 stars



GoodReads Synopsis: When mechanic and shapeshifter Mercy Thompson attempts to return a powerful Fae book she'd previously borrowed in an act of desperation, she finds the bookstore locked up and closed down.

It seems the book contains secret knowledge-and the Fae will do just about anything to keep it out of the wrong hands. And if that doesn't take enough of Mercy's attention, her friend Samuel is struggling with his wolf side-leaving Mercy to cover for him, lest his own father declare Sam's life forfeit.

All in all, Mercy has had better days. And if she isn't careful, she might not have many more to live.

My Thoughts: This was an exceptional story. Poor Sam is going through hell and we learn more about what it is to be an “old wolf”…basically finding nothing to live for. Meanwhile we are getting sucked into the Fae World and nothing is as it seems. Briggs has really created a great world for her storytelling. She is continually able to find ideas and craft them to fit into the World of Mercy Thompson, seamlessly. Each book is fresh and exciting. Love it!




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Review: River Marked


River Marked
River Marked by Patricia Briggs

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



GoodReads Synopsis:Being a different breed of shapeshifter-a walker-Mercy Thompson can see ghosts, but the spirit of her long-gone father has never visited her. Until now, on her honeymoon with the Alpha werewolf Adam. An evil is stirring in the depths of the Columbia River-and innocent people are dying. As other walkers make their presence known to Mercy, she must reconnect with her heritage to exorcise the world of the legend known as the river devil.

My Thoughts:These Mercy Thompson stories really appeal to the “arm-chair cultural anthropologist” in me. River Marked incorporated some Native American mythology that really drove the story. Plus we learned more about Mercy’s father. All this while Mercy and Adam were on their honeymoon. Yeah, trouble follows her even on her honeymoon. I know there is a new Mercy Thompson book coming out in March 2013 and I can’t wait to see where Mercy takes me next!



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Monday, September 10, 2012

Review: Blood Bound


Blood Bound
Blood Bound by Patricia Briggs

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



GoodReads Synopsis: Under the rule of science, there are no witch burnings allowed, no water trials or public lynchings. In return, the average law-abiding, solid citizen has little to worry about from the things that go bump in the night. Sometimes I wish I was an average citizen...

Mechanic Mercy Thompson has friends in low places-and in dark ones. And now she owes one of them a favor. Since she can shapeshift at will, she agrees to act as some extra muscle when her vampire friend Stefan goes to deliver a message to another of his kind.

But this new vampire is hardly ordinary-and neither is the demon inside of him.

My Thoughts: Mercy’s world has Were inhabitants as well as Vampires and Fae. Mercy is none of these, she is a “walker”/shape shifter. Her heritage comes from her Native American father whom she never met.

This story is built around the Vampires of the Tri-Cities. Stephan, one of Mercy’s long time friends, is tasked with finding out about a vampire that has moved into the area and hasn’t asked permission of Marsilia, the Seethe’s Mistress (equivalent to Pack Alpha). Only this is no ordinary Vamp.

The Vamp mythology that Briggs created has a lot of the usual characteristics and some interesting differences. There is a “pack”, the Mistress feeds from the vamps in her care and they feed from her. They also have some interesting abilities, such as teleporting, mind reading, sorcery, etc. I don’t want to give it all away. Briggs knows how to build a world that keeps bringing me back for more.

I really like that Brigg’s characters are smart and they fight against their instincts and feel guilt over their choices. Briggs also has storylines arcing throughout the background. There is a huge list of characters but they are all necessary…kind of the good old-fashioned soap operas but way better. I love it when all the different species are together, trying to get along, and stepping on each other’s toes. LOL

Great series! I hope the momentum continues.




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Review: Moon Called


Moon Called
Moon Called by Patricia Briggs

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



GoodReads Synopsis: Mercy Thompson's life is not exactly normal. Her next-door neighbor is a werewolf. Her former boss is a gremlin. And she's fixing a VW bus for a vampire. But then, Mercy isn't exactly normal herself.

My Thoughts: I know, I know…I’m really late to the Mercy Party! So many people I know have read and really enjoyed this series of books…now I am officially among them!

I love Mercy! She is a total dichotomy and she knows it and it happy with it! LOL! She’s smart, has a teaching degree in history. She’s adaptable, couldn’t get a job as a teacher so found a job that utilized all those teenage hours spent under the hood of a car. She is snarky and sarcastic! She grew up in a pack of werewolves and being a shapshifter, rather than a were, she is rare and completely self-sufficient…now that’s not to say that she never makes a bad decision…but she thinks through her options and takes the lesser of the evils which in retrospect, sometimes, wasn’t as good a choice as she thought it was.

We learn a lot about the were’s of Mercy’s world…their dynamics, laws, governing structure, etc. Even though Mercy is under “the protection” of the pack where she lives…she saves the pack’s Alpha from a fate worse than death with her quick thinking.

I thought the pacing of the story was great as well as the world building. We meet Mercy’s possible love interests, yes, plural, though romance is not high on the priority list of this book. I just really enjoyed getting to know the really diverse group of characters that make up the Tri-Cities area. Can’t wait to dive into the next installment.




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Review: Mercy Thompson: Homecoming


Mercy Thompson:  Homecoming
Mercy Thompson: Homecoming by Patricia Briggs

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



GoodReads Synopsis: Mercy Thompson is a walker, a magical being with the power to transform into a coyote. She lives on the fine line dividing the everyday world from a darker dimension, observing the supernatural community while standing apart.

When Mercy travels to the Tri-Cities of Washington for a job interview, she quickly finds herself smack-dab in the middle of a gang war between rival packs of werewolves. And as if fangs and fur weren’t bad enough, Mercy must deal with the scariest creature of all: her mother, who is convinced that Mercy is making a mess of her life and determined to set her daughter on the right course.

The thrilling adventures of Mercy Thompson–Moon Called, Blood Bound,and Iron Kissed–have topped the New York Times bestseller list. Now Mercy makes her comics debut in an exclusive new story created by Patricia Briggs. Mercy Thompson: Homecoming is sure to please longtime fans and capture new ones with its mix of unforgettable characters and thrilling supernatural intrigue

My Thoughts: So I’ve had the Mercy Thompson books for quite a while. Honestly, there was something about the covers that didn’t really engage my interest…and yes I am one of those who doesn’t judge a book by it’s cover, but it’s cover is what will draw me in, have me pick it up, and read the synopsis. THEN I will know if it’s something I want to read. Mercy’s cover’s never drew me in. That is until Kim let me borrow this graphic novel.

This was a quick read and it’s beautifully rendered. I love the illustrator’s style. This story was a prequel to the Mercy Thompson books. I got a chance to read the graphic history of the characters and found I was much more interested in the series after having read this graphic novel. As soon as I finished Homecoming I loaded the six books on my kindle and haven’t stopped reading her since.




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Review: Darkest Fire


Darkest Fire
Darkest Fire by Tawny Taylor

My rating: 3 of 5 stars



GoodReads Synopsis: Drako Alexandre isn't merely the handsome billionaire playboy everyone thinks he is. He's the leader of his generation of Black Gryffons, destined to protect humanity. And though Drako has no desire to be tied down--except at the private bondage club he frequents--the future depends on him taking a wife to bear him a son. He knows just the woman--Rin Mitchell, a delicate beauty who unleashes his deepest primal hunger. Their agreement will ensure he'll never have to give up his desire for domination, forbidden pleasures, and multiple lovers. But Drako's chosen prey is also hiding something. And if her secret doesn't destroy them, the explosive passion she ignites just might.

**THIS TITLE INTENDED FOR ADULTS 18 AND OVER**

My Thoughts: This was a much more engaging read than I was expecting. The storyline was interesting with Drako being a Black Gryffon who is in charge of keeping “the Secret”, while there is an equally bad group of people who are hell bent on revealing “the Secret”. Meanwhile Drako, as leader, is expected to marry and produce the next line of Black Gryffons…hence his proposal to Rin.

The sensual scenes were hot and there was some mild BDSM as well as some interesting reasoning for Drako and Rin to be involved in that scene. I will be checking out the rest of this series for a number of reasons…I want to get to know Drako’s brothers as well as finding out more about “the Secret”.




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Review: Sharing Hailey


Sharing Hailey
Sharing Hailey by Samantha Ann King

My rating: 3 of 5 stars



GoodReads Synopsis: Hailey Anderson's deep, dark secret? She's been madly in lust with her overprotective brother's two best friends for years. Gorgeous woodworking artist Mark Allen and sexy doctor Tony Adamo have no idea they star in her fantasies every night.

After a nasty breakup with her abusive boyfriend, Hailey's looking for a little distance. Headed for a two-week Hawaiian vacation with her brother and his hot friends, Hailey can't wait to feast her eyes on Mark's and Tony's rock-hard, ocean-slick bodies. Even if she can't touch.

But instead of treating her like their little sister, Mark and Tony have a surprising proposition: a monogamous ménage à trois. The three of them—and no one else. Both men want Hailey and have agreed to share her. The red-hot reality is even better than the forbidden fantasy. Until Hailey's ex threatens their newfound happiness

**THIS TITLE INTENDED FOR ADULTS 18 AND OVER**

My Thoughts: This was a cute, quick read. As is the case with these erotic stories, there isn’t much focus on character development. We didn’t get into the character’s heads and find their motivations for the choices they made…everything was very superficial. The stalker angle and what happened to him were a little over the top, but honestly that isn’t why someone would normally read this book.




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