Review: Bloodspell

Title: Bloodspell
Author: Amalie Howard
Publishing Date: 2011
Genre: Young Adult, Paranormal
Rating: C-
Sensuality: Kisses
Book Disclosure: I received this book for free at the RT Convention 2016.

Bloodspell is the first book in the Cruentus Curse series.  Victoria Warrick has experienced some very strange happenings within her own body around the time of her seventeenth birthday.  On her birthday, she receives a music box from her late Grandmother, that help to provide answers as to why these strange experiences have been happening to her.  She comes from a long line of witches, as she happens to be a direct descendent from one of the most powerful.  Victoria moves to a new school and meets Christian Devereux.  There is something unusual about him that Victoria can't help but be drawn to. But because of Victoria's power, other supernatural beings are after her and she is in danger.

I really struggled with this book.  It took me over a week to read it and it just couldn't hold my attention.  I think some of it was because of the plot.  It just felt all over the map, with the world building.  Establishing the witch and vampire lore for this storyline took up some space and it just wasn't all that interesting.  It was also hard to like the main characters.  Victoria is not a warm and fuzzy heroine.  She is darn right prickly and standoffish.  It was hard to feel empathy for her and the same with Christian.  Then some of the adversary characters felt like comic book bad guys.  Also, I felt the romance with Christian and Victoria was not very believable.  First, Christian and Victoria had such a difference between their ages, that it was hard to believe that a romance would be possible.  Also, they spent quite a bit of the book pushing each other away.  And then the piece de resistance, when Victoria is in grave danger he realizes his true feelings. 

The saving grace for this book would be the action packed ending.  The last quarter of the book, boy do things really pick up and I enjoyed the battle at the end.  But other than that, there wasn't much that I would recommend.  I most likely won't be continuing on with the other books in this series.

Review - The Casquette Girls

Title: The Casquette Girls
Author: Alys Arden
Publishing Date: 2015
Genre: Young Adult, Paranormal
Rating: B+
Sensuality: Kisses
Book Disclosure: I received this book in a goodie bag at the RT book convention 2016.

The book begins with sixteen year old Adele Le Moyne coming back to New Orleans after a terrible hurricane struck the city a few months earlier.  Her father had shipped her off to France to live with her mother while they waited for it to be safe to come back to the city.  She finally convinces her father to let her come back to the city.  When she arrives she is shocked to find the city mostly uninhabitable.  Fortunately they are one of the few whose home is mostly intact.  Strange happenings are occurring in the city.  A number of people are found missing or dead in the city and the hurricane is not the cause.  No one is sure what is exactly causing the death toll to rise.  Adele discovers that her family history may be more deeply rooted in New Orleans and weird unexplainable things seem to happen when Adele is around.  She discovers a diary from a past relative and hopes that the story will enlighten Adele to these strange happenings that are occurring in the town today.

I really enjoyed this story!  You are fully immersed post hurricane New Orleans.  The author clearly either has lived in the city or did her homework well.  The setting of the book plays a major role in the story and really draws you into it.  The story has many gothic overtones as Adele tries to pick up the pieces of her life post hurricane, meanwhile many unexplained paranormal happenings keep occurring.  The story slowly unravels to reveal many plot twist and turns which keep the reader waiting for what comes next.  Adele is a likeable girl, with a strong sense of self.  There are a few male characters who end up vying for her attention and she, as well as the reader, will not be certain who she will end up with at the end of the story.

There also is a story within the story because of the diary that Adele finds.  The diary is of a young woman traveling from France to New Orleans in 1728.  As Adele reads the diary, she is awarded with clues that help her unravel the mystery that is happening in present day.  The two stories blend well together and add a level of history which enriches the story.  This is my first novel by Alys Arden and I very much enjoyed it.  I recommend it to fans of young adult and paranormal who enjoy a rich historical setting.

Under the Northern Lights

Title: Under the Northern Lights
Author: Vivian Arend
Publishing Date: 2010
Genre: Paranormal
Rating: C+
Sensuality: Hot
Book Disclosure: I purchased a new copy.

Under the Northern Lights is actually two books in one. Both the first two stories in Vivian Arend's Granite Lake Wolves series are included in this book. The first book is Wolf Signs which the story of Robyn Maxwell, a deaf woman who meets Keil, a local wolf shifter who is next in line for Alpha of his pack at a secluded cabin in the woods. Robyn is a wolf and Keil's mate, but she doesn't know it. She was adopted and hasn't learned her past heritage.

The second story Wolf Fight features Robyn's brother Tad who is a wolf but can't shift. Tad was never able to forget the girl from high school who moved away. Missy reenters Tads life and the sparks pick up right where they left off all those years ago. Tad forms a bond with Missy to protect her from her past.

Under the Northern Lights was a quick and easy read. The characters were likable. I thought Robyn was interesting in that she was deaf but still a strong, determined woman. If she set her mind to do something, nothing was going to stop her. The book was on the short side for my taste. I felt the pack dynamics were lacking and I would have liked to see more depth to the world building and characters. I did like that a lot of the book was action driven. It made for a quick read.

Review - Burning Darkness

Title: Burning Darkness
Author: Jaime Rush
Publishing Date: February 2011
Genre: Paranormal
Rating: A-
Sensuality: Hot
Book Disclosure: I received a signed free copy at RT 2011.

Burning Darkness is the 4th full length book in Jaime Rush's Offspring Series. This is Eric Aruda and Fonda Raine's story. Readers first meet Eric in the first book Touching Darkness. Eric Aruda is part of a group of men and women whose parents were part of a government experiment. These people all inherited special powers from their parents. Eric can set people on fire and remote view another person. He meets up with Fonda Raine when she sets up a clandestine meeting with the intent to kill him. She is successful in her intent and instead her and Eric team up when they are attacked by others. Even though Fonda wants to hate Eric, his fierce protectiveness of her eventually leads more than either of them expected.

I have been intrigued by Eric from the first book in the series. Eric is one of those morally ambiguous characters who you aren't quite sure if he is good or bad. He definitely intrigued me and I couldn't wait to see what his character would do next in the series. I have to say that I was NOT disappointed with this book. Burning Darkness lived up to my expectation and so far is the best of the series.

For me this book was all about the hero. I just was totally hung up on Eric. I liked that he is big and bad and ferociously loyal and protective. Sigh. What's not to love? Also, I felt that Burning Darkness focused on the romance much more so than the other books in the series. I love that when Fonda has some hang ups in bed, Eric helps her work through it. For as pushy as Eric can be it is a good thing with Fonda at certain times. Fonda kept Eric guessing half the time too, which made thing interesting.

I think this series is getting better and better. I can't wait to see whose book is next. I am definitely looking forward to the next book in the series.

Review - Pack Challenge

Title: Pack Challenge
Author: Shelly Laurenston
Publishing Date: 2006
Genre: Paranormal
Rating: D
Sensuality: Hot
Book Disclosure: This was a free download as an ebook.

Pack Challenge is the first book in Shelly Laurenston's Magnus Pack series. This is Zach and Sara's story. Zach is passing through town when he needs work done on his motorcycle. He notices Sara at the shop and can't seem to get her out of his mind. Sara doesn't need Zach complicating her life right now. With her poor health and something strange after her she has no time to devote to her love life.

As you can see by my rating, this book did not work for me AT ALL. It was a combination of things. First and foremost was the heroine. I just could not STAND her. Ugh. She was such a bitch, LOL! She was rude and snarly. She is the type of person who solves problems with physical violence. I can see why she would make a perfect Alpha female, but it did not endear me to her. I tend to like my heroines a little more soft and cuddly, if you know what I mean. I just found her too abrasive and manly for my tastes.

My other main issue was that I felt there was no real development of the pack. There really were no references to pack politics or hierarchy, or really any details at all. It was all very superficial; nothing special to make it stand out from the crowd. I also didn't feel any real connection between Zach and Sara. To be quite honest, I didn't see why he would be attracted to her. This book was not my cup of tea.

Review - Dreams of a Dark Warrior

Title: Dreams of a Dark Warrior
Author: Kresley Cole
Publishing Date: February 2011
Genre: Paranormal
Rating: B-
Sensuality: Hot
Book Disclosure: I purchased a new ebook for my Nook from B & N.

Dreams of a Dark Warrior is the ninth book in Kresley Cole's Immortals After Dark series. Regin the Radiant and Aiden the Fierce have an ill-fated love. Throughout the centuries, Aiden a mortal Berserker was killed before he could earn his immortality. Since then, he keeps being reincarnated but as soon as he kisses Regin he remembers Aiden's memories. Shortly after that, he dies. Regin is taken captive by Declan Chase the Magister of the Order. Regin realizes right away that Declan is Aiden reincarnated once again. Somehow Regin has to escape without alerting Declan to his past or she knows he will be killed again yet at the same time, she must keep her own self alive too.

I didn't enjoy Dreams of a Dark Warrior as I have some of the other books in this series. Mainly it was because of Declan. I had a really hard time with his character. He was very badly damaged as a teenager and his hatred of immortals has shaped his whole life. I found his character not very appealing. I thought his behavior was hard to redeem.

Now having said how much I didn't like Declan, I did really like Regin. She had a lot of funny one liners that were quite humorous. If you have liked Cole's humor in the past you will continue to enjoy it in this book, as well. Regin and Declan have such a struggle in this book. The reader really wonders how all the problems are going to be solved between Declan and Regin. I think the author did a pretty good job of showing a change in Declan. He just wasn't a very appealing hero for me, though.

Review - Ecstasy

Title: Ecstasy
Author: Jacquelyn Frank
Publishing Date: 2009
Genre: Paranormal
Rating: C+
Sensuality: Hot
Book Disclosure: I received a free copy at the 2009 Romantic Times Book Convention.

Ecstasy is the first book in a new spin-off series by Jacquelyn Frank. Ashla Townsend finds herself in a post apocalyptic world after she wakes up from a fatal car crash. She is the only living person until she finds two huge warrior men fighting one another in a department store. Trace, a shadowdweller is surprised that the beautiful human woman can see and hear him. In the shadow world no human should be able to. Strangely enough, Trace and Ashla form a unique connection even though they both may be in danger with a traitor among his people.

Ecstacy is my first Jacquelyn Frank novel. I found the book to be inconsistent at times. The first part of the book was fairly interesting and had my complete attention. As I continued reading, the pace would slow, pick up, slow down etc. It seemed that a lot of the book would be internal monologues from either Trace or Eden and that is when the pace would slow down for me. I liked it when the action was taking place. When that was going on I really liked the book. When Trace or Eden were overly thinking things and rambling on in their heads is when I would lose interest.

I liked the world that Jacquelyn Frank created. It was unique and interesting. I just wish she would have focused on it more than she did. I think that if there would have been less internal dialogue and more action, I would have enjoyed this book more than I did. I liked the characters, both Eden and Trace. I feel that I want to give Ms. Frank another try. I may go back and try one of her Nightwalker novels.

Review - Seduced by the Night

Title: Seduced by the Night
Author: Robin T. Popp
Publishing Date: 2006
Genre: Paranormal
Rating: D+
Sensuality: Warm
Book Disclosure: I purchased a used book.

Seduced by the Night is the second book in Robin T. Popp's Night Slayer series. Bethany Stavinoski is a biochemist and has recently been awarded for her brilliance in her leading research. Unfortunately for Bethany, it has made her the target of a group of men looking to create a new drug. These men are strange and mysterious but Bethany is lucky to have a protector in Dirk Adams a former military man who has a few secrets up his sleeves. Bethany is engaged to another man, but that doesn't extinguish the flames that burn between Bethany and Dirk.

I really enjoyed the first book in the series Out of the Night, which I rated an A. But unfortunately I didn't enjoy Seduced by the Night quite as much. One of the things I really enjoyed about OOTN is the unusual twist to the vampire legend. I thought it was rather clever and different from most vampire books, but by the second book that novelty had worn off and nothing new in terms of the legend had come to light, although there were new characters and motivations that surfaced in this book.

The other thing that bothered me with this book was that Bethany was engaged to another man and while she didn't feel passionate toward him she still was committed to him and it took away from her relationship development with Dirk. Dirk was kind of a Neanderthal with Bethany at times and of course hated the fact she belonged to another. I just couldn't really get into this one. Robin T. Popp's writing style reminds me of Elizabeth Jennings or Lisa Marie Rice, where the heroines are very feminine and the males are extremely protective, which is not a bad combination, it just didn't work for me in Seduced by the Night.

Review - Demon Blood

Title: Demon Blood
Author: Meljean Brook
Publishing Date: 2010
Genre: Paranormal
Rating: B
Sensuality: Hot
Book Disclosure: I purchased this book new.

Demon Blood is the 6th book in Meljean Brook's Guardian Series. Deacon is a vampire out for revenge after having lost his people and was cruelly tortured by Demons. Rosalia sees an opportunity to help Deacon with his revenge that will also benefit the guardians as well. Laying out a complicated plan, with Deacon the key player, Rosalia hopes to tip the tables between the battle of good and evil.

I am probably simplifying the plot with the above summary. If any readers have read Meljean Brooks before they are aware of the complexity of her plots and Demon Blood is no exception. Rosalia concocts a crazy hare-brained scheme to wipe out most of the Demons in existence. To make the plan work she must convince Deacon to help her. She has long loved Deacon from afar for many centuries and has been afraid to reveal her feelings for him. Deacon is a shell of who he once was and feels unworthy of life let alone someone's love and devotion. The fact that in Deacon's eyes Rosalia is beautiful inside and out he can't possibly fathom why she would want to be with him.

For the most part I really liked Deacon and Rosalia. Rosalia comes across as very motherly. It was interesting to see her show a fierce protector side and yet a vulnerable and caring side too. It did bother me that she held back so much of feelings from Deacon for such a long time. It felt cowardly at times and her character seemed much braver than that. Deacon was very broken at the beginning of the story and he needed to forgive himself and allow him to heal. Much of the book is about him doing just that. Although, I did feel that the ending which resolved the issue between him and Rosalia was too abrupt for my taste. It felt a little rushed. All in all, this was a fine addition to this wonderful series.

Review - Warrior

Title: Warrior
Author: Zoe Archer
Publishing Date: September 2010
Genre: Historical Paranormal
Rating: B-
Sensuality: Hot
Book Disclosure: I received a used copy from Paperbackswap.com

Warrior is the first book in Zoe Archer's The Blades of the Rose series. Captain Gabriel Huntley has only known the life of a soldier, but now that he has left the service he has plans to settle down in the English countryside. Not long after leaving the docks he witnesses a group of people attacking a man. Never one to stand an unfair fight, Gabriel comes to the man’s assistance. Unfortunately, the man dies and Gabriel makes a promise to go to Mongolia to deliver a message. When Gabriel gets to Mongolia, he becomes embroiled in a mission upon saving magical artifacts that must not get into the wrong hands. Never one to back away from danger, Gabriel takes it upon himself to protect Thalia Burgess, whose father is a member of The Blades of the Roses and is too sick to go on the mission himself.

For me the strength of this book is the unusual setting of Mongolia and the paranormal plot development. The scenery and customs of the Mongolian people is unique and interesting to read about. The history of the people and how magic is tied to the earth reminded me some of Native American culture. The fact that the story is told through an Englishman and woman makes it all the more different.

While I like both Gabriel and Thalia, I felt that the romance between these two seemed forced. Instead of showing me how the relationship developed, the author told me. At least this is how it was in the beginning of the book. By the time I had read half the book, I felt the writing had gotten better and the relationship felt less forced. For me though, I was more focused on the external conflict between the Blades and Heirs. I definitely see the potential in this series. It is unusual enough that I will be giving the second book Scoundrel a try.

Review - Maybe This Time

Title: Maybe This Time
Author: Jennifer Crusie
Publishing Date: September 2010
Genre: Contemporary/Paranormal
Rating: A-
Sensuality: Warm
Book Disclosure: I borrowed a copy from the library.

Andie Miller goes to see her ex-husband North whom she hasn't seen in ten years to ask that he stop sending her alimony checks. After all, she has every single one he has sent over the years and not a single one was ever deposited. But seeing North is a shock to Andie's senses. She can't believe the overwhelming feelings that come rushing back after that brief encounter. Plus, she somehow finds herself the nanny to two unruly children who have recently been orphaned which North now has sole custody. When Andie arrives to whip the children into shape, she realizes it's not the children who are the problem, it’s the unruly ghosts that are haunting the house.

The last Jennifer Crusie book that I read earlier in the year, Wild Ride was a very big disappointment. I really wasn't sure what to expect with Maybe This Time, but I was definitely intrigued by the summary. It turns out that Maybe This Time is a huge score for me and I think fans of Ms. Crusie will delight in this latest release.

Where to begin...the characterization is great. Andie and North just jump off the pages. Andie and North are opposites. Andie is whimsical, flighty, impulsive and fun, whereas North is responsible, organized and serious. We get to see a lot of Andie through North's eyes and vice versa North through Andie's. These characteristic s are what attracted the other, but it is also what eventually drove them apart.

Even though these two aren't together through a lot of the book, we relive their past relationship through flashbacks including how they first met. I think this is the first book with the reconciling couple theme that I have really enjoyed. Ms. Crusie gets it right. This time I really do believe that they can make it work the second time around.

One little odd ball thing that I would like to point out with this book was that there were references to electronics that lead me to believe that this book was written a few years ago. For example, the little girl Alice likes to listen to her Walkman instead of an iPod and also there are references to them watching videos instead of DVDs. It just made the story seem dated. At any rate, this one was a page turner and it worked really well for me.

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Review - Demon From the Dark

Title: Demon From the Dark
Author: Kresley Cole
Publishing Date: September 2010
Genre: Paranormal
Rating: B+
Sensuality: Hot
Book Disclosure: I received a used copy from Paperbackswap.com.

Demon from the Dark is the 8th full length novel in Kresley Cole's Imortals after Dark series. Carrow Graie is a witch who has been captured by a group seeking to add to their paranormal menagerie. They have tasked Carrow with locating Malkom Slaine, a Vemon (vampire/demon). They have her sweet niece Ruby as collateral to make her comply. Things get tricky when Carrow starts to fall in love with the beast. How can she possibly choose between Ruby or Malkom?

I love this series, but the last couple of books have left me with a bad taste in my mouth, worried that the series isn't going anywhere. Things seemed a little stagnant in terms of the big war amongst the immortals. Well, I am happy to say this book pushed all those worries to the back of my mind. It was an incredible journey and things are finally starting to pick up in terms of the overall story arc. Yay!!!!

I had a little bit of trouble getting into the story. It started out slow giving us Malkom's back story, plus coupled with my own preconceived notions, made me put it down and pick it back up repeatedly. Once I got past the first chapter (I know, short attention span) things really picked up. Malkom is a crazy beast of a man. Well, not exactly a man, a demon really. But he is completely Alpha with a soft, sensitive inner core. Carrow can't help but be drawn to him. He is fiercely protective, yet extremely inexperienced when it comes to women. He is a very unique hero and a lot of romance fans are going to adore him. I know I did.

I really enjoyed Demon from the Dark. I have not been as enthusiastic about paranormal romance compared with urban fantasy, but I thought Demon from the Dark was up there with urban fantasy this time. I highly recommend this series and this book if you like paranormal romance. I recently posted an excerpt, which you can find here. Enjoy!

Review - Touching Darkness

Title: Touching Darkness
Author: Jaime Rush
Publishing Date: May 2010
Genre: Paranormal
Rating: B
Sensuality: Warm
Book Disclosure: I received a free copy at the RT Book Lovers convention this year.

Touching Darkness is the third book in Jaime Rush's Offspring series. Nicholas Braden was recruited by the CIA to find a dangerous group of young people called "Offspring". Nicholas has always been good at finding things ever since he was a teen and now he can put those skills to good use, or so he thinks. After a while he discovers that the side he is fighting on may not be the right side. He has to convince Olivia, the director’s daughter that her Father is involved in illegal activities. Nicholas must find answers if he is going to survive and protect Olivia as well.

Touching Darkness is my favorite book in the series thus far. Plot wise things are really heating up. More information is revealed regarding the secrets behind the Blue Eyes science project. The bigger picture is starting to unfold and new intriguing characters are introduced with very interesting psychic powers. Also, it is interesting to see those "happy for now" endings in past books are continuing and evolving in this book, Lucas and Amy's relationship especially.

As far as the main relationship, Nicholas courts Olivia with tenderness. Their romance was very sweet and not at all what I had expected compared to the other books in the series. Olivia is a very sheltered young woman who spent most of her life in isolation trying to please her Father. Nicholas's upbringing was very different from Olivia's as he came from a loving family and had a normal childhood. The romance is still the weakest part of the book for me because it is not nearly as well developed as the plot. However, because Nicholas and Olivia were very young characters, 20 and 23 respectively, it worked for me. And the plot is fantastic. Therefore I am willing to sacrifice some of the romance. I definitely will be reading the next book in the series.

Review - Wicked Appetite

Title: Wicked Appetite
Author: Janet Evanovich
Publishing Date: September 2010
Genre: Paranormal
Rating: B
Sensuality: Subtle
Book Disclosure: I borrowed a copy from the library.

Wicked Appetite is the first in a new series by Janet Evanovich. Some readers might be familiar with her character Diesel who appeared in the Stephanie Plum series, the Plum books between the numbers. Diesel a man of mystery heads to Salem Massachusetts to find a woman Lizzie who will help him locate magical objects. But Diesel is not the only person looking for these magical objects, his cousin Wulf is also looking for the objects and doesn’t have good intention in his use of them. Trouble seems to follow Lizzy and Diesel has his hands full protecting her.

Wicked Appetite has a very similar vibe to the Stephanie Plum series. Lizzie narrates the story from first person point of view. Her life starts to get crazy when Diesel walks into the bakery. She becomes the reluctant owner of a one eyed cat, a monkey Carl and she can't seem to dodge a hunky, mystery man. Even her best friend starts thinking she is a witch and tries to cast spells. Of course these spells go awry.

I think that if you are a fan of the Stephanie Plum books then you will like her new series. As far as the romance goes there is no love triangle in this series. Diesel and Lizzie are attracted to each other, but there is a complication that will make a relationship difficult. I foresee this complication as a way for Evanovich to draw out the romance in this series, which could potentially be a problem for romance fans. However, I am willing to give this series another a try, after all the writing is fast paced and funny.

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Review - Sins of the Flesh

Title: Sins of the Flesh
Author: Caridad Pineiro
Publishing Date: 2009
Genre: Paranormal/Romantic Suspense
Rating: B
Sensuality: Warm
Book Disclosure: I received a free copy when I was at the 2010 RT Convention.

Sins of the Flesh is the first in a new series by Caridad Pineiro. Mick Carrera has been hired by a cutting edge researcher to find one of his missing patients who he believes murdered his partner. Once Mick is on the case he realizes that things aren't adding up. Caterina, the woman who he was hired to find, is no murderer. She is a very sick woman dying of cancer, only the cutting edge medical treatments she was receiving somehow worked. They worked but not without strange side effects. Mick and Caterina work together to find the real killer.

Sins of the Flesh is the first book I have read by Caridad Pineiro. She came highly recommended by my good friend Mary. I got this book earlier in the year when I attended the RT Convention. I thought the idea and premise behind this story was very unique and very well done. The reader can tell right away that Ms. Pineiro knows her science. Sins of the Flesh has a very "X-Men" vibe to it but with a more medical aspect.

I did struggle with the pacing of the book in the beginning. It took a while for the author to establish the characters and what was going on. Mick and Caterina don't meet for a while. Once they do, things pick up a little. However, if you are looking for fireworks between these two you will be disappointed. Their romance is very sedate and sweet. It actually worked for me. With all the other stuff going on the book it would have been too unrealistic to have Mick and Cat lusting after each other. As a matter of fact, that is a pet peeve of mine that thankfully I didn't have to worry about in this book. I also enjoyed the glimpses of Mick's interaction with his family. Pineiro has a way of capturing the essence of family. I look forward to reading more by her.

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Review - Eternal Kiss of Darkness

Title: Eternal Kiss of Darkness
Author: Jeaniene Frost
Publishing Date: August 2010
Genre: Paranormal
Rating: B-
Sensuality: Hot
Book Disclosure: I purchased a new copy.

Eternal Kiss of Darkness is a standalone spin-off from Jeaniene Frost's Night Huntress series. Mencheres is a centuries old vampire who is ready for his true death. After passing his power to his second in command, Bones he longs to see the sun. Kira Graceling, a former police officer has always lived by the code that one must try to save a life. She stumbles upon Mencheres being beaten by a group of thugs. Little does Kira know her life is about to change forever. Kira mistakenly discovers the existence of vampires by coming to Mencheres’s rescue. He must take her into custody while she has knowledge of his kind.

I don't know what it is about this spin-off series but I don't like it nearly as much as I do the actual Night Huntress series. Every couple compared to Kat and Bones just pales in comparison. Where is the humor, the sarcasm, the feistiness? It's all just too bland. These other characters just can't compete.

Kira is a decent character. She is brave and smart. She takes in this whole other world of supernatural creatures like a champ. She listens to Mencheres and shows caution when it's needed and initiative when it's needed. Really, she is a gem of a heroine. But damn it all to hell, she is no Cat. I know it really is unfair to judge like this, but when it's all said and done, I can't help but compare.

I am sort of torn in my recommendation. First off, for those of you who haven't tried Jeaniene Frost this book could easily be a standalone and be a good place to start. Unfortunately, I don't like this book nearly as much as I do her other books. But maybe having not read the other books, Eternal Kiss of Darkness might not look so bad in comparison. Fans of Frost are going to pick up this book anyway because if you’re like me you will want to read anything she writes in the hopes of getting your fix. Do what you will, readers. Do what you will.

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Review - Succubi Like it Hot

Title: Succubi Like it Hot
Author: Jill Myles
Genre: Paranormal
Rating: B-
Sensuality: Hot
Book Disclosure: I purchased a used copy.

Succubi Like it Hot is the second book in Jill Myles' The Succubus Diaries series. Jackie Brighton a newly turned succubus who narrates the story from first person point of view. It's not enough that Jackie is struggling with being a succubus, which means she has to have sex every few days or she will eventually shrivel up and die, but she has also recently been cursed. For some reason whenever she touches a human they fall asleep right at her feet. A mysterious man keeps following her and it seems she needs sex more and more frequently. Jackie travels down to New Orleans to see if she can find another succubi who can help her remove the curse.

I found Succubi Like it Hot to be a fun read. Jackie has a likable personality. She is completely down to earth, which makes her easy to relate too and she also had a wicked sense of humor with lots of sarcasm. She definitely makes for a great narrator.

As a romance reader, I do struggle with the fact that Jackie is currently juggling two men in her lives. She has Zane, her vampire maker and Noah, her fallen angel both falling over themselves to be with her. At times Jackie comes across as more than a little selfish. Some of it is out of her control as she is a succubi after all, but some of it seems just a part of her personality. There were a few instances when I was actually annoyed with Jackie always thinking of herself first.

I do enjoy the writing and the world building. For a paranormal, it has a more campy feel to it. Although, certain parts of the story are heavier than expected given the overall lighthearted writing style. I definitely plan on reading more in this series to see where things are headed. I am enjoying the journey so far. I enjoy Jackie and her escapades.

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Review - Beyond the Night

Title: Beyond the Night
Author: Joss Ware
Publishing Date: January 2010
Genre: Paranormal
Rating: B
Sensuality: Warm
Book Disclosure: I purchased a new copy.

Beyond the Night is the first book in a new series by Joss Ware. It takes place in a post apocalyptic world when six men find that they have been asleep for 50 years in a cave. They went to an expedition, major environmental destruction happened ending the world as they knew it and they woke up not having aged at all but the world was completely different. It is only safe for them to travel during the day because at night these zombie-like creatures come out to feast. Elliott Drake meets a mysterious woman, Jade who draws his curiosity. She is able to introduce Elliott and his friends into the small society that formed after the big disaster. Elliott must find a place for himself in this new world.

I really like the set up for this new series. I don't often get a chance to read books with a more sci-fi aspect to them, but I do enjoy them. I find the whole mystery to the world disaster very interesting. The world building is great and the reader can easily see the author has interesting plans for revealing the whole story. Readers get a taste with this first book but there is a lot more to be discovered as to what exactly is going on and how things came to be.

It's funny because most of the time I am more interested in reading about the romance between the two characters than the world building. Oddly enough, that wasn't the case with this book. It was the other way around this time. While I liked Jade and Elliott, I felt almost as if the romance was forced on me. There was a lot of internal dialogue that told me of their attraction for one another but I didn't necessarily see it. I think Elliott is a really great hero for Jade. He gives her the space she needs. Jade has a lot of hang-ups caused from past relationships. She has a lot of baggage and Elliott lets Jade know he is interested without being pushy. Fans of Beta heroes will really like Elliott.

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Review - Lux in Shadow

Title: Lux in Shadow
Author: R.G. Alexander
Publishing Date: 2009
Genre: Paranormal Erotic
Rating: B-
Sensuality: Burning
Book Disclosure: I purchased a used copy.

Lux in Shadow is book two in R.G. Alexander's Children of the Goddess series. Lux Sariel is haunted by the death of his former lover who was murdered during an attack on his people. With the help of Arygon he must find a woman Sylvain who has the power to save his people. Her life is in danger and Lux and Arygon must find her before the Shadow Wolf does. When Arygon and Lux find Sylvain they discover that the three of them are mates, which only complicates the situation more.

I picked up this book because my good friend Dana really likes R.G. Alexander and I haven't ever read anything by this author before. She had recommended this series. When I was at the used book store the other week, I picked it up on a whim. It was a mistake to read this book before reading Regina in the Sun, Children of the Goddess book one. I was struggling to understand who the different factions were in the book. I didn't completely understand the world building.

I will say even though the world building was complicated I liked that there is a feeling of Native American mythology to the story. It put a different slant to vampires and werewolves. I enjoyed the characters' interactions with each other and the whole threesome plot didn't seem too contrived. It worked within in the context of the story. I will have to go back and read the first book to see if certain gaps in the storyline are filled in. The overall plot in the book is easy to understand, yet the world building just felt incomplete.

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Review - Bitten by Cupid

Title: Bitten by Cupid
Publishing Date: January 2010
Genre: Paranormal
Book Disclosure: Received a used copy from Paperbackswap.

Bitten by Cupid is an anthology featuring Lindsay Sands, Pamela Palmer and Jaime Rush. I only read the last two novellas in the book. I just couldn't get into the first story by Lindsay Sands.

Title: Hearts Untamed
Author: Pamela Palmer
Rating: B-
Sensuality: Warm

Hearts Untamed is part of Pamela Palmer's Feral Warriors series. Julianna is being blackmailed to find particular piece of jewelry. To complicate matters the one man she loved and offered virginity to is returning after ten years, but he left because he didn't return Julianna's love. What Julianna doesn't realize is that Zee left for a completely different reason.

This was my first introduction to the Feral Warriors series. Julianna is one of those heroines who gets on my nerves. She deliberately assumes the worst about a situation and then determines that she must handle the problem completely alone. She pulls away from the hero for most of the story. What saves this story is that Zee doesn't listen to Julianna and pushes her enough that she finally gives into him. I also thought that for a short story and this being my first introduction to the world building, the author did a really nice job of filling in the blanks without overwhelming the reader.


Title: Kiss and Kill Cupid
Author: Jaime Rush
Rating: B
Sensuality: Warm

Kiss and Kill Cupid is an off shoot of Jamie Rush's Offspring series. I have read the first two books in the Offspring series and these characters are new. It's not necessary to have read any of the other Offspring books. Kristy Morgan is interviewing for a job as a writer for a popular adventure magazine. She has the ability to hear other people's thoughts and she hears a serial killer's thoughts to make her his next victim. Kristy isn't sure if her employer Adrian might be the killer, never mind that he is attractive.

I enjoyed this short story for the mystery. It's a quick and easy read with good pacing and a good solid mystery. It isn't too terribly hard to guess who the killer is, but the delivery worked for me. The chemistry between Kristy and Adrian was good for a shorter novel, but the staying power of the relationship is questionable because of the strenuous circumstances of them meeting.

This book can be purchased in print or kindle format from Amazon.