Thursday, May 24, 2012

Kristen Ashley--Motorcycle Man (Dream Man series #4)

Contemporary Romance--action

Stuck in a colorless world, Tyra Masters decides to chuck her old life and starts searching for something. She doesn’t know what it is until she meets her dream man. The goateed, tattooed, muscled, gravelly voiced motorcycle man who plies her with tequila and gives her the best sex of her life. But she knows it isn’t the tequila and sex talking. He’s it. He’s who she’s been daydreaming about since she could remember.

Until he makes it clear she isn’t who he’s looking for.

Tyra slinks away from his bed, humiliated. The problem is, he’s her new boss. She just may or may not have forgotten to tell him that part.

Kane “Tack” Allen has a rule. He doesn’t employ someone he’s slept with. And he lets Tyra know that in his motorcycle man way. Tyra fights for her job and wins it using sass and a technicality. Tack challenges her that if she hits his bed one more time, she loses her job.

Tyra is determined to keep her job and keep away from Tack. But she makes a big mistake. During their head-to-heads, she lets it all hang out and shows Tack she is who he’s looking for. And Tack has had a good woman slip through his fingers, he’s not about to let that happen again.

Although Tack colors Tyra’s world with a vibrancy that’s blinding, being with him means she has to live in his Motorcycle Club world. Full on, no holds barred. And since Tack’s world, not to mention Tack, is a little scary, Tyra isn’t so sure.

It's Tack's job to convince her.


{5 stars}
LOVED .. LOVED.. LOVED IT.

I fell in love with this series with Hawk's story, and he has remained my favorite "hot bad boy" until now. Tack is the ultimate Hot Biker, and did I say HOT, well let me tell you, it isn't only the physique, the tats, or the bike that makes him HOT, its him. All of him, his personality, his loyalty to the "the club", his kids and now Tyra. The whole package is unbelievably hot. Tyra has waited her whole life to find her "Dream Man" and she finds him in Tack, but after one night with him she's questioning her decision after he throws her out of bed without a backwards glance. Only to return and give him as much attitude a he gives her. He likes feisty Tyra. Their romance is not simple, kidnappings, fighting, drama, all these things surround a motorcycle club. And if you are going to be in their world, you have to accept that nothing will ever be dull and boring. Tyra's friend is kidnapped, the Russian Mob is starting a "clean up" that no one wants to be caught up in, and Tack's kids are fleeing from their mother. But Tyra takes most of this in stride (mostly), her tirades are awesome little breakdowns that are true Kristen Ashley style. Tack and Tyra are a perfect match for each other, and Ashley has a way of writing that even though I know they will get their HEA, I still fell head first into the life and death drama and actually teared up. This story was so captivating that I have dragged my kindle around the house with  me while I'm packing to move (in 2 days), couldn't put it down, actually fell asleep with it in my hand last nite. If you are not a Kristen Ashley junkie yet, start with book 1, you won't regret it.

And I am looking forward to the Chaos series, the first couple up are going to be just as great as Tack and Tyra. Can't wait!

Tuesday, May 15, 2012

N. J. Walters--Isaiah's Haven (Legacy #2)

Paranormal romance-werewolf

Isaiah Striker puts family first, the pack a distant second. Which is precisely the reason he's in noisy, crowded Chicago instead of alone in his beloved woods. One look at the owner of Haven nightclub, however, and a simple favor for his brother turns into something else entirely.

Meredith Cross holds her small pack together with sheer determination. After years on the run, they hide in the glare of the city's nightlife. Isaiah may heat her blood, but she can't afford to risk the lives of the outcast half-breeds in her care. Once exposed, every bounty hunter and werewolf purist in smelling distance will hunt them down.

But when their sexual attraction spirals out of control, a moment's distraction is all it takes to lead danger right to Meredith's door. For Meredith there's only one choice: her pack.

But Isaiah knows his mate when he sees her. And he's not giving up without a fight.


{3.5 stars}
Maybe I shouldn't read a series back to back, but Isaiah didn't capture me like Alex and Joshua did. Not to say it isn't a great story. It's doesn't repeat the same plot line as the first book other than hiding/fighting/killing hunters and pure blood werewolves who attach them. Meredith is the alpha or her pack, protecting her own children along with the half-breeds she has adopted along the way. Isaiah, it seems is lost in the world, until he finds Meredith. This story was perfect for Isaiah's character, he needed to find his own pack, and his own way in the world. I did find myself skimming some of the sex scenes so I could move along to the action that actually moves the storyline. I understand the overwhelming need between mates, but sometimes its just not the appropriate time in the story to go "at it" on a desk. I would really be interested in how Meredith's pack evolves, her children are interesting characters and would make for a good story. This is a strong series, character development and storyline are interesting, and I'm looking forward to continuing it. (maybe after a break though)

Sunday, May 13, 2012

N. J. Walters--Alxeandra's Legacy (Legacy #1)

Paranormal Romance--werewolf

Alexandra Riley's day starts out like any other in her normal, predictable world. Then a tall, dark stranger bursts into her father's garage and shatters the illusion. In one shocking moment, she discovers why she's been feeling hot, restless she's the half-breed daughter of a legendary werewolf and is a much-sought-after prize.

Joshua Striker, enforcer in charge of protecting the alphas of the Wolf Creek pack, has come to take Alex home. Nothing more, nothing less. From the first moment he sees her, she becomes the one thing he can't afford a distraction from his duty. A weakness he doesn't want but can't resist needing.

If only keeping her safe was as simple as fending off males on the hunt for a mate. Through city streets to the mountains of North Carolina, Alex and Joshua have to evade those who don't want their pure bloodlines tainted with human DNA, as well as bounty hunters who think the only good werewolf is a dead one.

What Joshua and Alex can't outrun is the passion that flares between them or the choice Alex must eventually face. Whether to claim her inner wolf, or forfeit her chance to claim Joshua as her own.

{4 stars}
This is the first book I've read by this author, and was pleasantly suprised. The storyline is detailed, action packed, with well developed characters. Joshua and Alex are a great pairing. Alex had no idea what she really was, but when it literally came crashing through the window at her, she stepped up and didn't act like a weak woman to scared to move. She is an equal match to Joshua, who is the pack enforcer. He is not the pretty boy werewolf, but the hard nosed, stubborn alpa wolf. (Totally HOT) He has to protect her and get her back to the compound. But there are rogue werewolves and hunters trying to stop them. Alex cracks a few times in their race home, but she gets ahold of her emotions quickly and steps up to the next challenge to keep them both alive. All the while their passion for each other is growning, but Joshua won't claim her until they are home and can properly challenge anyone for the right to claim her.

I really like the start of this series, it is not far off from the traditional werewolf storylines, but it is unique enough in its character development to keep you reading. I couldn't wait to find out how it turned out and am looking forward to starting book 2 immediately.

Saturday, May 12, 2012

Anne Calhoun--Liberating Lacey

Contemporary Romance

Newly divorced Lacey Meyers wasted too many years yawning through sex in the missionary position. Now she's looking for a hookup with a man who can make her shatter. What she gets is a hot younger cop with handcuffs...and he's not afraid to use them.

Hunter Anderson knows the score-though classy, successful women like Lacey might play with guys like him, at the end of the evening, they walk. But when one night leads to another and then another, he finds himself getting too attached to a woman he can't have.

Lacey knows Hunter - gorgeous, hard-edged and eight years younger - won't want anything permanent. No matter how hot and daring he makes her first public sex, quickie, backseat encounter and secret fantasy role-play, she can't mistake adventurous sex for emotional involvement.

They both know it's got to end, and soon, or someones going to get hurt.

{4.5 stars}
I don't usually go for contemporary romance, but a goodreads friend posted such a wonderful review I had to give it a read. The passion and electricity between Hunter and Lacey is amazing. They meet one night in a bar when Lacey is looking to "hook up" after her divorce. But they are great together and start spending time with each other out of the bedroom. But like most of us in the real world, they have insecurities. Hunter has never been in love, and doesn't think he can fit in her "upper class" world. Lacey thinks she can do casual, but she really isn't made for that. But her divorce left her with alot of naive notions about sex and love. Watching their romance play out was in no way boring, Hunter and Lacey are dynamic and I instantly fell for both of them. I became completely emotionally involved with their romance. turning every page hoping for the right outcome. I was not disappointed.

(Ellora's Cave is usually not what one would call "vanilla" or contemporary romance. They are usually so hot they come with a warning.)

Tuesday, May 1, 2012

Kristina Douglas--Warrior (The Fallen #3)

Paranormal Romance-Angels

There comes a time in every Angels life....

Every little girl imagines, now and then, that she's a princess held captive in a tower. But Victoria Bellona is almost twenty-five. And that whole fairy-tale scenario? That's her real life. The drop-dead gorgeous man who rescues her is no Prince Charming. He's the gruff archangel Michael, and he insists that Tory is the Fallen's only hope for ending Uriel's vicious rule. She insists he's crazy.

To show his brethren what he's made of....

According to the prophecy, Michael must marry this frustrating, fascinating creature, bed her, and drink her blood. But their fate is a double-edged sword. If they give in to their urgently growing desires, Tory will die in battle. If they refuse, she will die anyway, and with her, all of mankind. Michael is determined to find another solution when a traitorous kidnapper forces him into a deadly confrontation. Even if he can save Tory from Uriel's ruthless clutches, will they ever really be together? Or is her fatal destiny--and the world's--written in stone?

{4 stars}
This is one of the most interesting angel series I have ever read. The Fallen are not your sweet, loving, angels. The Fallen are the true fallen, cast out by Uriel for disobeying his rule. They are sent to earth, where they were originally assigned to guide the dead to Heaven or Hell as decided by fate. But Raziel (book 1) decided to save a human woman when he discovered that Uriel was sending all humans to hell whether they deserved it or not. Now the Fallen no longer follow that path. They are now just trying to survive and defeat Uriel's army. Uriel wants to wipe out all of humankind, and in the process wipe out the Fallen. Michael is a true warrior, and is completely reluctant to follow the prophecy that he should wed Tory in order to win the battle against Uriel's army. But once he has Tory in Sheol, her charming, innocent, sarcastic personality charms the stiff, stubborn warrior into falling in love with her. She is at times, a little immature, but since she was held prisoner by her mother until her 25th birthday, she hasn't really grown up. Sometimes its funny, sometimes its annoying, but you can say the same for Michael's stubborness. I could go on and on about this series, there is so much happening not just with Tory and Michael, but also with the other mated couples and the war against Uriel. New Fallen are arriving and lots of changes are happening to the sanctuary of Sheol. And I love every word of it....Can't wait for Rebel.....