Monday, October 31, 2011

Jennifer Lyon--Sinful Magic (Wing Slayer Novel #4)

Paranormal Romance-witch/other

Roxanne “Roxy” Banfield refuses to be like her mother, a fertility witch who uses sex as nothing more than a magical weapon. Roxy rejects that life and is determined to become mortal to pursue her dream of real love and a family. All she has to do is avoid meeting the one man whose sensuality can release her powers. But steering clear of this magnetic stranger is easier said than done.

Wing Slayer Hunter Kieran “Key” DeMicca channels the dark violence that lives inside him into a popular comic book series about an ancient dragon named Dyfyr, but only Key knows that Dyfyr is real. Lately he finds himself drawing images of a young woman in peril, and assumes that she’s just a product of his imagination—until he meets Roxy. Struck by her beauty and her resemblance to his sketches, he feels compelled to protect her. As steamy magic, lethal danger, and timeless love collide, Roxy must become what she swore she would never be—and awake a part of Key that will threaten to destroy them both.

{4 stars}
Just when I thought I couldn't like this series anymore, Lyons mixes it up. I absolutely adored the Dragon Love Story. Key and Roxy are my new favorite couple after Axel and Darcy. The basis of the series has not changed, the Wing Slayer Hunters are still trying to defeat Quinn Young and Asmodeus, and save as many earth witches as possible. But with each book there is the sub-plot of the main couple. They have all had different paths, skills, and winged creatures who reside in their souls. Each couple is called a "soul mirror", they are each a half of the soul and to be free of the curse and live forever they must find their other half and bond pledging their faith to serve the Wing Slayer God. The variable is always the witch that is their other half. There are many varying witches, from fertility to siren. But with this story, the Wing Slayer Key and the witch Roxy are part of a timeless love story involving a Dragon and his lover. They each have to give in to who they once were and trust each other. Definitely a top book in this series.  

Saturday, October 22, 2011

Kallypso Masters--Nobody's Angel (Rescue Me #2)

Erotica/BDSM/MilitaryMen

Marc d'Alessio might own a BDSM club with his fellow military veterans, Adam and Damián, but he keeps all women at a distance. However, when Marc rescues beautiful Angelina Giardano from a disastrous first BDSM experience at the club, an uncharacteristic attraction leaves him torn between his safe, but lonely world, and a possible future with his angel.

Angelina leaves BDSM behind, only to have her dreams plagued by the Italian angel who rescued her at the club. When she meets Marc at a bar in her hometown, she can't shake the feeling she knows him—but has no idea why he reminds her of her angel.

When Marc's search-and-rescue partner, widower Luke Denton, confides he believes Angelina is the angel his wife promised to send him, Marc is convinced she is meant for Luke. A painful incident from his past keeps Marc from letting any woman drive a wedge between him and a friend.

While Luke can provide Angelina with love and stability, Marc knows his friend can't satisfy her submissive needs. Marc offers one night to show her that BDSM is not about pain, but a power exchange with mutual trust and consent. But he knows he can’t commit emotionally to anything more.

When the abusive Dom from Angelina's past threatens, Marc's protective instincts kick in; he must keep her safe. Again at the Masters at Arms Club, she turns the tables on him—and turns his safe, controlled world upside down.


{4 stars}
I really love the Men of 'Masters of Arms'. The Men are strong, well developed characters. And this is still a strong series for a new author. I have read a lot of plot driven BDSM stories, and the "scenes" were appropriate to the storyline.  When you really get down to the core of BDSM, it's about trust. Trust in your partner, trust in yourself, no secrets, no lies. This series just so happens to be build around a lifestyle most people cringe at. Angelina needed to overcome a past experience and Marc had to overcome a long ago regret. Both had to learn to open up and completely trust the other. It seemed like it took forever for them to finally reach that point. I have to say that Marc and Angelina are not my favorite couple. I found Angelina a little annoying with the constant teary eyed woman bit. That being said, I still absolutely love this series. I can't wait for Adam and Karla's story, they are my favorite couple!

Wednesday, October 19, 2011

Kallypso Masters--Masters at Arms (Rescue Me #1)

Erotica/BDSM/Military Men

Masters at Arms begins the journey of three men, each on a quest for honor, acceptance, and to ease his unspoken pain. Their paths cross at one of the darkest points in their lives. As they try to come to terms with the aftermath--forging an unbreakable bond--will they ever truly become masters of their own fates? Or would fate become masters of them?

{5 stars}

Amazing book. Great character development. You can't help but get hooked into them. Their stories are completely compelling.

I have read quite a few BDSM stories, so I'm very open minded and not offended by much.  And as long as it has a genuine story with great characters--I'm there! And even though you know that is where this is leading, this "prequel" really just gives you the back story of their lives and how they became the men they are now. It only "peeks" at their BDSM lifestyle, for now, we'll see where this series takes us down the road, so if you are not open minded-beware. But I loved every word of it. This book is in written in "parts" starting with Adam. With each part we get to know each man, where they come from, and how they all wind up coming together. They are great characters, and I can't wait to start the next book. Kallypso Masters is defintely on my favorites list.

Sunday, October 16, 2011

Jennifer Lyon--Night Magic (Wing Slayer Novel)

Paranormal Romance-Demon/witches

THEIR LOVE IS DESTINED TO RISE AGAIN — Ailish Donovan is a witch ready to do battle. Raised unaware of her powers, she is just sixteen when her mother tricks her into binding with the demon Asmodeus. Pure-hearted Ailish escapes with the connection incomplete but pays a heavy price: For the next eight years, she is shunned by her earth sisters and tormented by Asmodeus’s lust. After hardening her body and mind as a champion kick boxer, Ailish returns home to break the bond -- or die.

The Wing Slayer Hunter Phoenix Torq is sworn to protect earth witches, but he is shaken by Ailish’s fierce independence -- and his own forbidden cravings. Dark, impulsive, and haunted by his troubled past, Phoenix likewise arouses Ailish in ways she finds disturbing -- and irresistible. Torn between mistrust and desire, each must go to hell and back to seek the magic that could set them both free.


{3.5 stars}
I truly enjoy this series, it has enough of a different storyline, that I can't compare it to anything else. Most paranormal series are just the same old things written with a slightly different spin. Phoenix and Ailish were a great couple, a very interesting blend of the Phoenix legend. The first half of the book just kept me captivated enough to keep going. But by the second half, I was completely engaged and holding my breath for the end. Each Wing Slayer has a different predator bird tatooed on them, and each earth witch has a different power. So each story has something new and variable happening between the main couple. And we always get to see what's happening with the other characters in the series. They are full of humor, passion, and dedication. The whole cast really makes this series work. If you haven't read this series, start at the beginning to get the back story.

Saturday, October 15, 2011

Darynda Jones--First Grave on the Right (Charley Davidson #1)

Paranormal romantic suspense

A smashing, award-winning debut novel that introduces Charley Davidson: part-time private investigator and full-time Grim Reaper.

Charley sees dead people. That’s right, she sees dead people. And it’s her job to convince them to “go into the light.” But when these very dead people have died under less than ideal circumstances (i.e. murder), sometimes they want Charley to bring the bad guys to justice. Complicating matters are the intensely hot dreams she’s been having about an Entity who has been following her all her life...and it turns out he might not be dead after all. In fact, he might be something else entirely.

{4.5 stars}
I discovered this book through a Goodreads Friend review, and she was right, its a great start to a series for a new author. It is full of humor (i found myself laughing out loud), the banter between Charley and everyone else is non-stop, and that's how it hooked me. Then the characters had me falling in love with it. Charley is not your ordinary Grim Reaper and the Entity following her is smoking HOT in more ways than one. I couldn't wait to find out who the Entity was. And as if her life wasn't complicated enough, she finds new and interesting ways to get injured---daily. There is so much going on in this story that you can't possibly get bored with it. And it's not your normal paranormal suspense. The basic premise of the story is such a refreshing change, I have not read anything like it. And truthfully, I'm not sure I could explain this book without giving spoilers away. So I'm just going to say that you have to give it a try. My only complaint is that it ended. I have already pre-ordered the next one and Darynda Jones has been added to my favorites list. She is definitely a new author to watch...

Sunday, October 9, 2011

J.R. Ward--Father Mine (Zsadist & Bella's story/Black Dagger Brotherhood)

Paranormal-Vampire

Readers met and fell in love with Zsadist and Bella in J. R. Ward-s third New York Times bestselling novel in the Black Dagger Brotherhood series, Lover Awakened. As a former blood slave, Zsadist bore the scars from a past filled with suffering and degradation until Bella came along and helped heal his emotional wounds. Now, though, with the birth of their child, the demons of his past have been resurrected, called forth by the innocent eyes of his beloved daughter, Nalla. Unless Bella and Nalla can bring him back with their love, he may be lost to them forever-.

{5 stars}
I can't help it, I'm a sucker for anything Brotherhood related. Z's story just gives us a little more insight into who he is and how his little family truly comes together. If you are a fan of this series you will enjoy this short story. It is only available by e-book, but well worth it. If you are not yet a fan of the Black Dagger Brotherhood, rush to the bookstore and start immediately with Dark Lover, Wraith and Beth's story.

Saturday, October 8, 2011

Shayla Black--Belong to Me (Wicked Lovers)

Erotic thriller (explicit sexual content)

She’s undercover and in over her head… — When FBI analyst Tara Jacobs’ fellow agent and best friend goes missing while investigating a sex ring, Tara goes undercover as a submissive in a Dallas BDSM club called Dominion. But no man can top a woman with Tara’s moxie convincingly enough—until an edgy, dangerous Dom takes control of the scene and sets her heart racing with a single, commanding glance. Too bad he’s also the man who stole her innocence years ago—and the one to whom she will never submit.

He’s got everything under control…until he falls for her again.

Navy SEAL Logan Edgington once left the woman he loved to save her life. He knows Tara will never forgive him, but he has no doubt that he possesses the knowledge to master her fears and the strength to guide her through an unfamiliar world of pleasure and pain. He alone can protect her on a dangerous mission that reveals both wicked depravities and terrible secrets. Logan relishes the exquisite torture of holding her again, feeling her uninhibited response. No matter how much Tara insists their fling will end after this mission, he’s determined that she will be his again—and this time, he’ll never let her go.


{5 stars}
Love Shayla Black! This is the 5th book in this series and might just be my favorite. If you have an open mind (or a guilty pleasure), this series if for you. All the sexual components aside (but bring a fan and some ice water while reading.......hot, hot, hot), this series really has a plot to it. The characters are well developed, emotionally passionate, and really just want what we all want. That all consuming happily ever after. They just play in a subject matter that is foreign to most of us (but secretly wish to try?) Tara lost her heart at 16 to Logan, but unknown to her, he had to break her heart to save her. 12 years later......here we are, still in love with each other. This case that she is dead set on completing, puts them deep undercover to save a friend and fellow agent. But it is also forces them together to work out, and get over, their past. Maybe? Tara and Logan are my new favorite couple. Its not truly necessary to have read this series to follow this one, this book can stand alone, but all of the characters are great and I highly recommend stepping out of your comfort zone and giving them a try. I'm hoping that Xander will have a book down the road, but there is a sneek peek in this one that already gives away the next man to fall for true love........

Sunday, October 2, 2011

Keri Arthur--Darkness Unbound (A Dark Angels Novel)

Paranormal/urban fantasy

Being half werewolf and half Aedh, Risa Jones can enter the twilight realms between life and death and see the reapers, supernatural beings that collect the souls of the dead. But she soon makes a terrifying discovery: Some sinister force is stealing souls, preventing the dead from ever knowing the afterlife. — Reapers escort souls -- not snatch them -- but Risa is still unnerved when a reaper shadows her in search of someone Risa has never met: her own father, an Aedh priest, who is rumored to be tampering with the gates of hell for a dark purpose. With the help of her “aunt” -- half-werewolf, half-vampire Riley Jenson -- and an Aedh named Lucian who may have lost his wings but none of his sex appeal, Risa must pursue whatever shadowy practitioner of blood magic is seizing souls, and somehow stop her father ... before all hell breaks loose. 

{5 stars}
If you loved the Riley Jenson/Guardian series, you will absolutely love this. We first met Risa in the Guardian series and she's all grown up now with drama of her own.  It really felt like we were just continuing the Guardian series with a new generation of characters. Riley and Quinn, along with most of the Guardian characters make appearances and we get to learn what has happened to them in the interim. Keri Arthur really can tell a story, I was hooked from page one. It has lots of action, a twisted paranormal puzzle to solve, and even a love interest for Risa. I loved every page of it. I don't want to give any spoilers away, so I will keep this short, but I want to tell everyone that if you loved Riley Jenson, you will love Risa. I was crushed when the Guardian series ended so I have waited a long time for this series to start,  and it does not disappoint. I can't wait for the next book, I have already pre-ordered it and will be stalking the mailbox on delivery date.

If you haven't read the Guardian series, I would start there so you know who the characters are and how we all came to this point. It's an action packed thrill ride with lots of "hot" sexy action to accompany it.