Saturday, June 30, 2012

Maya Banks--Sweet Surrender (Sweet #1)

Romantic suspense-erotic

Dallas cop Gray Montgomery is on a mission: find the guy who killed his partner and bring him to justice. So far, he's found a link between the killer and Faith - and if Gray has to get close to he to catch the killer, so be it.

Faith is sweet and feminine, everything Gray wants and desires in a woman, but he suspects she's playing games. No way would she allow a man to call the shots in their relationship. Or would she?

Faith sees in Gray the strong, dominant man she needs, but he seems determined to keep her at a distance. So she takes matters into her own hands to prove to him it's no game she's playing. She's willing to surrender to the right man. Gray would like to be that man. But catching his partner's killer has to be his first priority - until Faith is threatened and Gray realizes he will do anything to protect her...

{3 stars}
Like it, didn't love it, but liked it enough to read the next one. Something was just off for me, the first half is a slow moving build up, aiming for a strong love story. But then pops in short bursts of erotic interludes that at times didn't quite fit with the path my mind was going. Add to that the suspense, danger, drama going on with catching a murder and it just seemed too unemotional for me, even though there was lots of emotions being played out in the end. I didn't truly connect with any of the characters except Micah. This is my first Maya Banks book, so I don't know if this is her writing style, or that this is the first book in the series and it's not quite developed emotionally. Either way, I'm willing to read the next one before I make up my mind about the series.

Wednesday, June 27, 2012

Addison Fox--Warrior Enchanted (Sons of the Zodiac series)

Paranormal Romance--greek mythology

Pisces warrior Drake Campbell and his zodiac brethren have driven themselves to the edge. He'd love to take comfort in the arms of the woman he cares for, if only she would lift her emotional barriers to him.

White witch Emerson Carano has more to worry about than the Pisces warrior. Their affair may be red-hot, but she keeps the sexy man at arm's length to avoid getting hurt. When her estranged brother, Magnus, suddenly reappears—wielding a dangerous dark magic—Emerson has no choice but to ask Drake and his brothers for help.

Long-buried secrets and dangerous alliances will threaten the very foundation of the warriors while striking at the heart of Emerson's carefully constructed world. Can she put aside her fears to join forces with the only man who can help her—even if her own family must pay a terrible price?


{3.5 stars}
I started this series because the Greek Mythology basis drew me. Add to that, the fact that the warriors are based on a Zodiac sign gave this series an interesting spin. This is the 4th in the series and it is an easy read, but almost to easy. We already knew who Drake and Emerson were from the last book, so there was already that familiaraity with them....not many surprises. Which is probably why I didn't really find myself engrossed in it. The side story of Grey and Finley was far more exciting, which we are left waiting for their full story for the next book. Drake and Emerson's story, for me, ended rather abruptly, we were in the middle of the climactic end, and "poof" done. Really? I felt like I missed out on something. Oh well, not all stories are thrilling, page turning hits, but are still a semi-important stage in the series. Eris is making her own play against the Warriors, and has a new weapon with Magnus. Looking forward to what happens next....

Tuesday, June 19, 2012

Lynn Viehl--Nightborn (Lords of the Darkyn #1)

Paranormal Romance

As the high lord's most trusted warrior, Korvel is resigned to eternal loneliness, because he has sacrificed everything, even love, for his duty. When he is ambushed while retrieving an ancient Templar scroll, he is saved by Simone Derien, an innocent who captivates him.

Only Simone knows the scroll's terrible power, and her duty is to prevent its curse being unleashed.  Somehow she must recover it while resisting the dangerous passion she feels for the handsome warrior.

As Korvel helps her track the scroll and elude a crazed assassin on their trail. Simone hides another terrifying secret: She has been ordered to kill Korvel as soon as they secure the treasure.....

{2.5 stars}
Eh.....not a stellar book for me. I loved the original Darkyn series, but I have struggled with the Kyndred. The constant "french" language is annoying, it impedes the flow of the book for me. Simone, even though she is a trained assassin, and the protector of the secret of the scroll, she is written to seem very weak. She is too timid and it doesn't quite fit for me, adding in the extra annoying appearance of Nicola and Gabriel. Well, Nicola is annoying, she is always complaining and negative, didn't really care for her when it was her and Gabriel's book. But I trudged on through this one because out of all the Kyndred series characters, Korvel is my favorite and I wanted to see how this played out. Still confused about the scroll and its purpose and/or power, to many unanswered questions. Overall I really enjoyed Korvel, but as for the rest....take it or leave it. Not sure whether I will continue with this series. The Lords is supposed to be a trilogy, so I might give the next one a try if it's free.

Saturday, June 16, 2012

Larissa Ione--Lethal Rider (Lords of Deliverance #3)

Paranormal Romance

They're here.

They ride.

The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse

Born of a match between good and evil, four siblings stand between hell's minions and everything they want to destroy. They are the Lords of Deliverance, and they have the power to ward off Doomsday . . . or let it ride . . .

LETHAL RIDER

Thanatos, the most deadly Horseman of the Apocalypse, has endured thousands of years of celibacy to prevent the end of days. But just one night with the wickedly sexy Aegis Guardian, Regan Cooper, shatters centuries of resolve. Yet their passion comes with a price. And Thanatos must face a truth more terrifying than an apocalypse-he's about to become a father.

Demon-slayer Regan Cooper never imagined herself the maternal type, but with the fate of the world hanging in the balance she had no choice but to seduce Thanatos and bear his child. Now, as the final battle draws closer and his rage at being betrayed is overshadowed by an undeniable passion for the mother of his child, Thanatos has a life-shattering realization: To save the world, he must sacrifice the only thing he's ever wanted-a family.


{4 stars}
This is my favorite of the series, Than is a more emotional Horseman, more likable, even more vulnerable than his brothers and sister. After being drugged into a "one night stand" with Regan, he is held prisoner by his brother and sister so he won't explode and kill everyone. Regan thinks that she is doing everything she can to save the world, but as the time to deliver gets near, she has second thoughts. Than and Regan are a great couple, and with their journey, the series moves much more further towards the Apocalypse. Pestilence is putting his plan in motion to gain control of Earth and free all demons. But their are spies among both sides of the world, and the real demon in this saga is a total surprise. Only Reaver figures it out, and sacrifices himself for the Horseman. The Horseman side of the war takes crucial hits, the Aegis is torn apart, and UG has been seriously damaged. Lots of surprises in this one.....can't wait to read the next one.....looks like its Reseph's turn.

Sunday, June 10, 2012

Shayla Black--Mine to Hold (Wicked Lovers #6)

Romantic suspense-erotic

Tyler Murphy was an LAPD detective, single and happy—until a near-fatal tragedy crippled his friend, fellow detective Eric Catalano. While he supported Eric, he also became a shoulder for Eric’s wife, Delaney, to cry on. But with one naughty suggestion from Eric, a drunken night with Delaney spilled into erotic abandon. Before it was over Tyler saw his best friend’s wife as a woman and yearned for more. When Eric struggled to deal with the aftermath, Delaney begged Tyler to leave. Crushed, he fled to Louisiana, hoping to escape his longing for the one woman he could never have again…and unaware of what he’d left behind.

A lover’s desire.

After two years of living with regret, Tyler finds Delaney on his doorstep, her husband having abandoned her long ago. She’s protecting a shocking secret and desperately needs refuge from a killer determined to see her dead. As they fight to stay alive and catch the stalker, they struggle to resolve the guilt of their past pleasures. But they can’t deny that what was once a spark is now a flame burning out of control. To possess Delaney — body and soul — Tyler must heal her pain and thwart the evil that’s a mere breath behind her…

{4 stars}
It seems like years since I read the last Wicked Lovers story, but this series is easy to slide back into. Tyler has been working for Alyssa as a bouncer and passing the time by running through all the strippers working there, until Del shows up at his door with a surprise. Tyler sees his second chance to hold on to the only woman he has ever truly loved, but first he has to get her free from her current dangerous situation. While helping Delaney, he makes it his goal to possess her in every way, proving to her that they are meant to be together and he is never going to let her go again. Their chemistry is smoking hot! It might seem like their passion takes hold at inappropriate times when running from a killer. But when you have lived life "on hold" for so long waiting for the one person who can set you on fire, you go for it at every opportunity. And it works for them. We get updates from all the previous couples and sneak peek at the next guy coming up in the series lineup. Another hit for Shayla Black!

Wednesday, June 6, 2012

Sophie Oak-Siren in Bloom (Texas Sirens #6)

Erotic Romance

For Leo Meyer, being the Dom in residence at The Club has been a perfect life. A strict daily routine free from emotional attachment has been safe and comfortable. But when the only woman he ever loved walks back into his life, his world is turned upside down.

Wolf Meyer has been restless since an injury ended his career in the Navy SEALs. Hoping to reconnect with his brother Leo, Wolf accepted a job with Julian Lodge. His first assignment is to train Shelley McNamara, a gorgeous sub with a troubled past.

Shelley came to The Club to forge a new life and heal her wounded heart. She never dreamed that exploring her dark fantasies with her new Master would leave her caught between two brothers.

When Shelley’s life is threatened, the Meyer brothers will have to work together and use all their training to save her life and claim her heart.


{4.5 stars}
Yes, I am a Sophie Oak junkie. So therefore, I love all of the Texas Siren and Bliss series. And I have waited a loooong time for Leo's story. The combination of Leo and his brother Wolf is perfect, and Shelley is the right fit inbetween them. Shelley is a little brat spitfire, who doesn't let them get away with walking away from her once she has finally made up her mind that they are all she wants. Wolf is moving in with Leo after leaving Bliss, and he has no idea the woman he has been talking to is Shelley, the love of Leo's life. But once he puts the pieces together, he plots to make sure that they all 3 start their family together. Of course, in true Oak fashion someone from the past is back to cause trouble. Someone gets kidnapped and/or shot at, but there is always someone on hand to do the rescuing. All the Texas bunch make an appearance and Julian is in his usual form of controlling behind the scenes. Logan has moved to Dallas with Wolf so he can get help with his issues from Leo, so his storyline is still in the making. Loved it!