Sunday, June 20, 2010

Lora Leigh-- "Wild Card" (Elite Ops series)

synopsis:
It was supposed to be simple. All Navy SEAL Nathan Malone had to do was rescue three young girls from a Colombia drug cartel, then allow himself to be captured just long enough to draw out a government spy. That was before his mission went disastrously wrong...and before his wife, Bella, was told that Nathan was never coming home....

Bella's mourned her husband's death for three long years. But she has no idea he's still alive. Forced to assume a new identity, the man Nathan was is now dead. If he can get back to his wife, can he keep the secret of who he really is...even as desire threatens to consume them? And as danger threatens to tear Bella from Nathan's arms one more?

***** (5 stars)
I have read Lora Leighs Breed series, so i gave this one a chance. I don't usually like government, spy, or political based stories. But this one had a mystery/thriller kind of base story to it so i gave it a chance. And i was not disappointed, i loved it, couldn't put it down. As with all Lora Leigh stories, the sexual attraction is mind blowing and the sex scenes leave nothing to the imagination. But there is a story here. There are people turning up dead in the Texas desert, killed in a horrible fashion, and too many for anyone to ignore now. Nathan, now Noah, is sent to his old home town to find the truth and stop the murders. But he finds it hard to keep his hands off his wife. She doesn't know who Noah is or why he is really there, she thinks he is just another mechanic her brother-in-law hired. But a woman always knows who her soul belongs to....the face may have been changed but the heart always knows who holds it. The path that Nathan (Noah) and Bella take thru their grief and pain to find each other again, really brings the characters to life for me and i found myself routing for them to have that happy ending. Some of the bad guys were predictable, but there were still a few suprises in store. Can't wait to read the rest of this series.

Sunday, June 13, 2010

Pamela Palmer-- "Desire Untamed" (Feral Warriors series)

synopsis:
They are called Feral Warriors--an elite band of Immortals who can change shape at will. Sworn to rid the world of evil, consumed by sorcery and seduction, their wild natures are primed for release...

Kara MacAllister's quiet small-town life is transformed forever the night a powerful stranger rips her from her home, claiming she is the chosen one--the key to his survival.

Spiriting her away into the rain-soaked night, Lyon reveals a truth Kara can barely credit. She's immortal, and the only one who can save his race. And deep within her, he arouses a fierce, primal hunger beyond anything she's ever imagined. But only when their lives are threatened by an ancient evil will Kara and Lyon realize they have found a love they would risk their immortal souls to claim....and a powerful desire that could never, ever be tamed.


***** (5 stars)
This is a new author for me, it was a suggestion based on previous wish list items. And I couldn't put it down! Don't let the title or cover art turn you away. It is well written and the characters are very likable. I kinda figured out who the "bad guy" was half way thru, but i had no idea the full scope of the evil plot. There were some surprises in the end. The Feral Warriors are a "frat boy" kind of bunch, but are loyal and lovable. Kara and Lyon's story has quite a few close calls with death, for both of them, but their love saves them both along with their friends. Since there can only be one radiant at a time, i am curious how the other warriors stories will play out and who they will fall for. The warriors are still trying to stop the evil from escaping, but without the knife and the other half of Tighe's soul, the battle has only just begun...

Saturday, June 12, 2010

Rhyannon Byrd-- "Touch of Surrender" (Primal Instinct Series)

synopsis:
With his auburn hair and lean build, Keirland Scott looks more man than lycan. But his wolf instincts are aroused by the gray-eyed Morgan Cantrell. Not because of her beauty, but because of her long-ago betrayal, a fateful choice that made their love impossible.

Now however, the two Watchmen must team up, leaving the placid Lake Country for the forests of Scandinavia. To rescue Kierland's brother, they must track a vampire--and use their combined shape-shifting sensitivities in a battle that will take them beyond death. As the two learn to seek together, they begin to understand the history that has driven them apart. But they will have to overcome death itself, if their shared passion is to have a chance.

***** (5 stars, loved it!)
I am always waiting for the post office to deliver the newest Rhyannon Byrd book like a kid waiting for Santa. Her characters are well developed with alot of baggage, of course, but they are still lovably dysfunctional and leaves you hoping they find their happy ending. In this installment, Kierland has to find his wayward brother Kellen, and needs Morgan to do it. Kierland has loved Morgan from the moment he set eyes on her, but did everything in his power to push her away and deny what he felt. Morgan loved him just the same, but with no hope of getting what she wanted she sought solace with a vamp named Ashe. But he was not who she really wanted. Once they start on the trail to find Kellan all their baggage comes out in the open, and as is such in the paranormal romance world, they make love in the most odd places and the most odd times. But what can you do when you can't take another breath without being skin to skin with the person who drives you mad with lust (and love). The main story doesn't move as much this time, but there is still some of the main story plot moving along. Westmore has kidnapped a few people and all the same enemies are about. Can't wait till Kellan's book come out!

Tuesday, June 8, 2010

Gena Showalter-- "Twice as Hot" (Tales of an Extraordinary Girl)

synopsis:
Belle Jamison is finally starting to feel like a normal girl again. Her job as a paranormal investigator is going well, she's learned to control her supernatural abilities (mostly) and she's just gotten engaged to Rome Masters, the ultra-sexy operative who once tried to neutralize her!

But planning a wedding is never easy, especially when the bride keeps accidentally torching her dress, the groom returns from a dangerous mission with selective memory loss and the man responsible now wants Belle for himself. With Rome's ex determined to win him back and a new band of supervillains on the horizon, it will take all Belle's powers--plus a little help from her trusty empath sidekick--to save the day, salvage the wedding and prove that true love really does conquer all.

***This is the second in this series, and is just a addictive as the first. You will need to read the first one to get the basics of the story, and then you will find Rome and Belle just as interesting as i find them. Belle has quite a team, from Tanner and Sherridan, to Cody and Lexis. A few new members are added to the team and their characters are developed as much as Belle and Rome. I love all of them! (even though Lexis is a bitch most of the time) This time the team is off to rescue some team members and stop another nasty scrim named Desert Girl (she can drain the water out of you) This book did seem a little lengthy, but the added pages leads you to what might be in the next installment. There is alot of emotional drama occurring between Rome and Belle, so for the most of the book you don't know how they might wind up. But there a lot of happy endings to go around.....

Thursday, June 3, 2010

Shayla Black-- Possess Me at Midnight" (Doomsday Brethren Novel)

synopsis:
As a mysterious dark cloud drains the life of her beloved brother, Doomsday Brethren leader Bram, Sabelle Rion can think of little else. Still, every time she meets Ice Rykard's intense green gaze, her body aches with need for the sexy warrior. Their attraction is explosive, incredible--and forbidden. As dangerous as he is unpredictable, Ice is her brother's sworn enemy. But as Bram weakens, a more sinister force is gaining power.

Evil Mathias and his ruthless Anarki army are on a bloodthirsty hunt for the Doomsday Diary. Sabelle must guard the potent book with her life--and Ice vows to protect the beautiful witch with his. Duty demands that Sabelle deny her lover's fiery call of possession and mate with a man who can sway the magical Council against the impending rebellion. With the fate of magickind hanging in the balance, will she forsake the burning desires she can't ignore or turn her back on her people for the courageous man she can't resist?


***Sabelle and Ice are my second favorite couple. In this book, the story moves along with Mathias attacking several council members homes and driving the Brethren into hiding until they hatch a plan to keep Mathias from a council seat by placing Ice there instead. I really enjoyed Sabelle and Ice's story, their romance is endearing and shows you can overcome just about anything. A few new Brethren are added, not much is known about them yet. But the twins show promise as intriguing characters. And now that i am finally hooked on this series, i can't wait for the next one.

Tuesday, June 1, 2010

Shayla Black-- "Seduce Me in Shadow" (Doomsday Brethren novel)

synopsis:
Ex-marine Caden Mactavish has shunned his magical heritage all his life, but he will do anything to heal his desperately ill brother, a doomsday Brethren warrior in mourning for his missing mate. Posing as a photographer, Caden must convince firecracker tabloid reporter Sydney Blair to reveal the source of her recent expose on a supernatural power clash. Unfortunately, keeping his hands off the sizzling redhead proves as hard as getting them onto the potent and mystical doomsday Diary he discovers at her bedside. A bloody rebellion led by an evil, power-hungry wizard is imminent. If Sydney divulges the book's existence, she will jeopardize magickind's most deeply guarded secrets and become the ruthless wizard's number one target. Caden has never trusted magic's cruel and dangerous powers, but he will protect Sydney with his life and magic--even if it means risking his heart.

***Ok, I admit I wasn't going to read the rest of this series, but left with little else to read, I read on. There is an actual story moving along in this series, not a great one mind you, but there is a story. I like the first book better than this one, I didn't get attached to this couple. But I was given the first 3 books in this series, so i figured i should read them in order to be able to follow the story. Mathias is still on the loose, and the Brethren are still grasping at straws to find a way to defeat him. Same plan as the first book, sort of. But I disliked the part of the story regarding energy surrogates and Sabelle using her body to help Lucan. It all seemed a little barbaric and the repeated use of the term "mounting" when referring to a sexual encounter takes all the romance out it. (and don't get me started on the actual titles for these books) I hope the next book is better...