Genre: Contemporary Romance-erotic
No safe word can protect the heart
Infamous erotica author and accomplished dominatrix Nora Sutherlin is doing something utterly out of character: hiding. While her longtime lover, Søren—whose fetishes, if exposed, would be his ruin—is under scrutiny pending a major promotion, Nora's lying low and away from temptation in the lap of luxury.
Her host, the wealthy and uninhibited Griffin Fiske, is thrilled to have Nora stay at his country estate, especially once he meets her traveling companion. Young, inexperienced and angelically beautiful, Michael has become Nora's protégé, and this summer with Griffin is going to be his training, where the hazing never ends.
But while her flesh is willing, Nora's mind is wandering. To thoughts of Søren, her master, under investigation by a journalist with an ax to grind. And to another man from Nora's past, whose hold on her is less bruising, but whose secrets are no less painful. It's a summer that will prove the old adage: love hurts.
{5 stars}
ARC provided by netgalley
***spoiler alert***
What a surprising series. When I read the first one, I was blown away at the intense characters. Dark, handsome, controlling Soren. Light, fun loving Wesley, and Michael, the wounded angel. They all play very important roles in Nora's life, and you immediately become attached to each one. At the end of the first book when Nora makes Wesley leave, I actually cried for him. To love someone that much to lose out in the end? But Nora doesn't know how to choose between her dark king and her light prince. But this summer we get to follow along behind Nora and Michael as they hide out at Griffins, and we get to watch two people fall hopelessly in love thru very unconventional means. This series, for me anyway, is not about the sex. It's about love found in the most unusual of circumstances. What is normal anyway? The "stage" they all play on is just that, a stage. It brings them all together, but then the real fun begins, the emotions that drive each of them to the absolute loyalty and love they have for each other. And the safety they feel while not being judged for their "kinks".
I didn't like Soren very much in the first book, but we learn a lot about him in this one and he really has grown on me. The lengths he will go to make Nora happy is beyond what anyone else would do. Would you let the love of your life go so she can resolve an unfinished dream? But when that unfinished dream is Wesley, you can't really hate the guy anymore. I'm torn as to who I really want her to be with, can she have both?
This series is not for the "light" erotic reader, they all have very dark tastes and are very open about sex in all kinds of kinky ways. So don't go into it lightly. But if you can give it a chance, the raw emotional component will make you a fan....
And lastly, thank you, thank you, netgalley. I would have pulled my hair out waiting for this one!!! And even though I got ARC copies, I will certainly buy the printed ones for my keeper shelf and recommend to everyone!
Tuesday, August 28, 2012
Sunday, August 26, 2012
Sherrilyn Kenyon--Time Untime (Dark Hunter series)
Genre: Paranormal Romance-dark hunter
The Mayans aren’t the only ones with a 2012 prophecy…
Long before recorded history, there was a Keetoowah warrior so feared that everyone trembled before his wrath. Only a brutal betrayal by the one closest to him could defeat him. But not even death was the end of a man so strong.
The Time Untime approaches…
Kateri Avani has been plagued her entire life with dreams she doesn’t understand. Images of places she’s never been and of a man she’s never seen. Her quest for answers has driven her to Las Vegas where she hopes to finally silence the demons in her mind.
What she never anticipates is coming face to face with the warrior who has haunted her her entire life. One who belongs to a world the scientist in her refuses to believe is real.
Ren Waya came back from the dead to keep the prophecy he began from coming true and ending the world. For thousands of years, he has fought the same evil that once possessed him. But now that evil has found the one person he can’t fight. The one person who, against his will, holds the most sacred part of him.
His heart.
But if he doesn’t kill Kateri, the deadliest of evils will reemerge and destroy everyone else on the planet. It was a sacrifice he made once.
Will he be able to make it again?
{5 stars}
At first, I wasn't really sure about this one. I was very confused with the last book, I am not as knowledgeable about the Native American Pantheon to truly understand the legends. And now, with Ren's story we get some Mayan prophecies added to the mix. I spent the first quarter of the book confused and almost ready to give up. But Dark Hunter fans never quit. So I trudged on, and not that I understand the Native American or Mayan legacy anymore than before, but I understand the path Kenyon is taking us on. She is spreading her wings outside what we have all become comfortable with and introducing us to a whole new world of Dark Hunters. Ren is heartbreaking to watch as his past is relived thru visions in Kateri's eyes. They are destined for a path neither was prepared for, but isn't that what love does to us? It catches you off guard. Their path is wonderful, dangerous, and full of classic Kenyon humor. Some of our favorite Dark Hunters make appearances to help reset time to keep the apocalypse from happening. Now everything is coming together. Little did we know there were so many Pantheons out there and that Artemis had been so busy. If you get bogged down with the start of this book, don't give up, it really is a true Kenyon Dark Hunter book, just in a different time zone. And if you aren't a Dark Hunter junkie yet, start immediately with Fantasy Lover. You'll become one of us before you finish the first book.
The Mayans aren’t the only ones with a 2012 prophecy…
Long before recorded history, there was a Keetoowah warrior so feared that everyone trembled before his wrath. Only a brutal betrayal by the one closest to him could defeat him. But not even death was the end of a man so strong.
The Time Untime approaches…
Kateri Avani has been plagued her entire life with dreams she doesn’t understand. Images of places she’s never been and of a man she’s never seen. Her quest for answers has driven her to Las Vegas where she hopes to finally silence the demons in her mind.
What she never anticipates is coming face to face with the warrior who has haunted her her entire life. One who belongs to a world the scientist in her refuses to believe is real.
Ren Waya came back from the dead to keep the prophecy he began from coming true and ending the world. For thousands of years, he has fought the same evil that once possessed him. But now that evil has found the one person he can’t fight. The one person who, against his will, holds the most sacred part of him.
His heart.
But if he doesn’t kill Kateri, the deadliest of evils will reemerge and destroy everyone else on the planet. It was a sacrifice he made once.
Will he be able to make it again?
{5 stars}
At first, I wasn't really sure about this one. I was very confused with the last book, I am not as knowledgeable about the Native American Pantheon to truly understand the legends. And now, with Ren's story we get some Mayan prophecies added to the mix. I spent the first quarter of the book confused and almost ready to give up. But Dark Hunter fans never quit. So I trudged on, and not that I understand the Native American or Mayan legacy anymore than before, but I understand the path Kenyon is taking us on. She is spreading her wings outside what we have all become comfortable with and introducing us to a whole new world of Dark Hunters. Ren is heartbreaking to watch as his past is relived thru visions in Kateri's eyes. They are destined for a path neither was prepared for, but isn't that what love does to us? It catches you off guard. Their path is wonderful, dangerous, and full of classic Kenyon humor. Some of our favorite Dark Hunters make appearances to help reset time to keep the apocalypse from happening. Now everything is coming together. Little did we know there were so many Pantheons out there and that Artemis had been so busy. If you get bogged down with the start of this book, don't give up, it really is a true Kenyon Dark Hunter book, just in a different time zone. And if you aren't a Dark Hunter junkie yet, start immediately with Fantasy Lover. You'll become one of us before you finish the first book.
Friday, August 24, 2012
Tiffany Reisz--The Siren (The Original Sinners #1)
Genre: Comtemporary romance-adult/erotic
The Siren is a modern-day retelling of My Fair Lady with uptight English literary fiction editor Zachary Easton as an unwilling Professor Higgins and well-known wild child Nora Sutherlin as his erotica-writing Eliza Doolittle. Zach only has six weeks left at Royal House New York before he heads to Los Angeles to take over as Chief Managing Editor at Royal West. When his boss orders him to help Nora Sutherlin rewrite her latest novel, Zach agrees to work with her only if he is given complete control over the fate of her book. If Nora doesn’t rewrite it to his satisfaction in six weeks, Royal won’t publish it.
{5 stars}
ARC provided by netgalley
This book was not what I expected at all. It is NOT in any way a lite funny erotic story. It IS a dark emotional trip I didn't know I wanted to take. There is some very dark subject matter, it is truly not for the closed minded unadventurous reader. The synopsis leads you to believe this is a retelling of My Fair Lady, and in a small way, it is. But I don't feel like Nora was Eliza anymore than I feel Zach was the professor. In many ways Eliza was the professor, teaching Zach more things about himself than he ever realized. Nora's world is dark, but she surrounds herself with things she wishes for. The light in Wesley, and the gray in Zach. Which way will she go? She left her dark lord years ago, for reasons only she can understand, no matter what you read. Her connection to Soren is complicated and eternal. But when she leaves him, she finds herself in the postion to take control when she never had any previously. And she becomes the true Queen of darkness. And she shows Zach a glimpse into her kingdom. It's darker than I had ever imagined. The book Nora is writing is always the question in the back of your mind. Is it about her and Soren? Or her and Wesley? This journey brought out some emotions I don't generally get when reading, but nevertheless, I enjoyed the journey all the same. If you are looking for a standard HEA, look elsewhere, this will not be the HEA you are expecting. But that doesn't mean it isn't a HEA afterall......
The Siren is a modern-day retelling of My Fair Lady with uptight English literary fiction editor Zachary Easton as an unwilling Professor Higgins and well-known wild child Nora Sutherlin as his erotica-writing Eliza Doolittle. Zach only has six weeks left at Royal House New York before he heads to Los Angeles to take over as Chief Managing Editor at Royal West. When his boss orders him to help Nora Sutherlin rewrite her latest novel, Zach agrees to work with her only if he is given complete control over the fate of her book. If Nora doesn’t rewrite it to his satisfaction in six weeks, Royal won’t publish it.
{5 stars}
ARC provided by netgalley
This book was not what I expected at all. It is NOT in any way a lite funny erotic story. It IS a dark emotional trip I didn't know I wanted to take. There is some very dark subject matter, it is truly not for the closed minded unadventurous reader. The synopsis leads you to believe this is a retelling of My Fair Lady, and in a small way, it is. But I don't feel like Nora was Eliza anymore than I feel Zach was the professor. In many ways Eliza was the professor, teaching Zach more things about himself than he ever realized. Nora's world is dark, but she surrounds herself with things she wishes for. The light in Wesley, and the gray in Zach. Which way will she go? She left her dark lord years ago, for reasons only she can understand, no matter what you read. Her connection to Soren is complicated and eternal. But when she leaves him, she finds herself in the postion to take control when she never had any previously. And she becomes the true Queen of darkness. And she shows Zach a glimpse into her kingdom. It's darker than I had ever imagined. The book Nora is writing is always the question in the back of your mind. Is it about her and Soren? Or her and Wesley? This journey brought out some emotions I don't generally get when reading, but nevertheless, I enjoyed the journey all the same. If you are looking for a standard HEA, look elsewhere, this will not be the HEA you are expecting. But that doesn't mean it isn't a HEA afterall......
Tuesday, August 21, 2012
Elisabeth Naughton-Enslaved (Eternal Guardians #5)
Genre: Paranormal Romance-greek mythology
After being rescued from the Underworld, Gryphon is plagued by strange voices and an evil foreboding. He believes that his only hope for salvation is to track down the goddess who cursed him...until he meets Maelea.
A prisoner with no bars, Maelea encounters Gryphon on her quest to find Olympus. He's about to test her loyalty to the gods, and she's ready to find out if he still has a heart worth saving...
{5 stars}
ARC provided by netgalley
Comfortable, this is just one of those series I just enjoy reading. I picked it up because I have a fondness for Greek Mythology, and had never read anything about the Argonauts. This series does not disappoint. The characters (and couples) are well developed and balanced for each other, they just seem to "fit" when they find each other. And this series is not the same old "history" that has been written to death. Daemons, Gods, the Underworld, it has it all without repeating themes. It is a refreshing change and keeps my interest each time I read the next installment.
Gryphon and Maelea have had it worst of all in the luck department. Gryphon's soul was stolen and sent to the Underworld to be tortured and enslaved by Atalanta And Maelea has been alive for thousands of years because of her parents, two greedy, angry, selfish GODS. This book just seems to flow perfectly. Gryphon and Maelea are planning to escape from the colony (for different reasons) and wind up teaming up just to survive. They really are a balanced couple, both needing to balance the dark in him, and the light in her. Their story brings this series forward in a big way. It may not seem as climactic as previous ones, but I think that's what made it work. It was just their story, and two people finding the "balance" they needed. But, the ending did leave us with the series moving in a whole new direction, with new enemies to battle. Can't wait for the next one....
After being rescued from the Underworld, Gryphon is plagued by strange voices and an evil foreboding. He believes that his only hope for salvation is to track down the goddess who cursed him...until he meets Maelea.
A prisoner with no bars, Maelea encounters Gryphon on her quest to find Olympus. He's about to test her loyalty to the gods, and she's ready to find out if he still has a heart worth saving...
{5 stars}
ARC provided by netgalley
Comfortable, this is just one of those series I just enjoy reading. I picked it up because I have a fondness for Greek Mythology, and had never read anything about the Argonauts. This series does not disappoint. The characters (and couples) are well developed and balanced for each other, they just seem to "fit" when they find each other. And this series is not the same old "history" that has been written to death. Daemons, Gods, the Underworld, it has it all without repeating themes. It is a refreshing change and keeps my interest each time I read the next installment.
Gryphon and Maelea have had it worst of all in the luck department. Gryphon's soul was stolen and sent to the Underworld to be tortured and enslaved by Atalanta And Maelea has been alive for thousands of years because of her parents, two greedy, angry, selfish GODS. This book just seems to flow perfectly. Gryphon and Maelea are planning to escape from the colony (for different reasons) and wind up teaming up just to survive. They really are a balanced couple, both needing to balance the dark in him, and the light in her. Their story brings this series forward in a big way. It may not seem as climactic as previous ones, but I think that's what made it work. It was just their story, and two people finding the "balance" they needed. But, the ending did leave us with the series moving in a whole new direction, with new enemies to battle. Can't wait for the next one....
Saturday, August 18, 2012
Jennifer Ashley-Bodyguard (Shifters Unbound #2.5)
Genre: Paranormal Romance-shifter
Elizabeth Chapman is saved from an armed robber by a giant Kodiak bear who shifts into a large, well-muscled, and fully bare human. But when it's revealed that the robber is the brother of a dangerous criminal, Elizabeth finds herself the target of a vendetta.
Ronan, the Bear Shifter, takes her to Shiftertown, where she finds that mateless Ronan takes care of Shifters who have no families or clans of their own. Having grown up in foster care herself, Elizabeth can only admire how protective Ronan is, even while she chafes at the confinement.
But Ronan will only let her leave the safety of Shiftertown if he becomes her 24/7 bodyguard. Elizabeth finally agrees. The trouble is, the sassy human Elizabeth is triggering Ronan's long-buried need to find himself a mate.
{4 stars}
I'm really starting to have a fondness for Bear Shifters. Ronan is a great character, charming, funny, and fiercely protective of those he loves. Elizabeth kind of stumbles into his life when he saves her from a robber, and the sparks fly from there. It's a great little novella, would have loved it to be a full book, but was still enough to be a great story.
Elizabeth Chapman is saved from an armed robber by a giant Kodiak bear who shifts into a large, well-muscled, and fully bare human. But when it's revealed that the robber is the brother of a dangerous criminal, Elizabeth finds herself the target of a vendetta.
Ronan, the Bear Shifter, takes her to Shiftertown, where she finds that mateless Ronan takes care of Shifters who have no families or clans of their own. Having grown up in foster care herself, Elizabeth can only admire how protective Ronan is, even while she chafes at the confinement.
But Ronan will only let her leave the safety of Shiftertown if he becomes her 24/7 bodyguard. Elizabeth finally agrees. The trouble is, the sassy human Elizabeth is triggering Ronan's long-buried need to find himself a mate.
{4 stars}
I'm really starting to have a fondness for Bear Shifters. Ronan is a great character, charming, funny, and fiercely protective of those he loves. Elizabeth kind of stumbles into his life when he saves her from a robber, and the sparks fly from there. It's a great little novella, would have loved it to be a full book, but was still enough to be a great story.
Tuesday, August 14, 2012
Chelsea Cain-Kill You Twice (Book #5)
Mystery Thriller
Nothing makes Portland detective Archie Sheridan happier than knowing that Gretchen Lowell—the serial killer whose stunning beauty is belied by the gruesome murders she’s committed—is locked away in a psych ward. Archie can finally heal from the near-fatal physical and emotional wounds she’s inflicted on him and start moving on with his life.
To this end, Archie throws himself into the latest case to come across his desk: A cyclist has discovered a corpse in Mount Tabor Park on the eastern side of Portland. The man was gagged, skinned, and found hanging by his wrists from a tree. It’s the work of a killer bold and clever enough to torture his victim for hours on a sunny summer morning in a big public park and yet leave no trace.
And then Archie gets a message he can’t ignore—Gretchen claims to have inside knowledge about this grisly murder. Archie finally agrees to visit Gretchen, because he can’t risk losing his only lead in the case. At least, that’s what he tells himself . . . but the ties between Archie and Gretchen have always been stronger, deeper, and more complex than he’s willing to admit, even to himself. What game is she playing this time? And even more frightening, what long-hidden secrets from Gretchen’s past have been dredged up that someone would kill to protect?
{5 stars}
Another page turning hit. Chelsea Cain has one of the darkest imaginations I have ever read, and I love every word of it. Archie and Gretchen go way back, back to when she kidnapped him and tortured him nearly to death. Now they have this bizarre connection that neither one can break or are willing to break. Gretchen is locked away in a mental hospital, but someone is killing people that leads Archie closer to solving some old murders that are blamed on Gretchen.
This book has all the plot twists and turns that keep you trying to figure out who the killer is, how is the murderer tied to Gretchen, and where the hell did Gretchen come from. Archie gets closer than he has ever gotten to discovering all her secrets. And wow, are there some jaw dropping surprises! Cain's character development has reached an amazing level. Archie, Henry, and Susan are all back for another round of murder, thrills, scares, and near-death moments. Add in Claire, Leo and Bliss and you have the perfect balance. The plot with Archie, Susan, and Gretchen has reached a comfortable level where you can almost guess what they are thinking, or what they are going to do. And as we peel back the layers of Gretchen's life, we only get more questions. Leaving us with another cliff hangar ending.
Nothing makes Portland detective Archie Sheridan happier than knowing that Gretchen Lowell—the serial killer whose stunning beauty is belied by the gruesome murders she’s committed—is locked away in a psych ward. Archie can finally heal from the near-fatal physical and emotional wounds she’s inflicted on him and start moving on with his life.
To this end, Archie throws himself into the latest case to come across his desk: A cyclist has discovered a corpse in Mount Tabor Park on the eastern side of Portland. The man was gagged, skinned, and found hanging by his wrists from a tree. It’s the work of a killer bold and clever enough to torture his victim for hours on a sunny summer morning in a big public park and yet leave no trace.
And then Archie gets a message he can’t ignore—Gretchen claims to have inside knowledge about this grisly murder. Archie finally agrees to visit Gretchen, because he can’t risk losing his only lead in the case. At least, that’s what he tells himself . . . but the ties between Archie and Gretchen have always been stronger, deeper, and more complex than he’s willing to admit, even to himself. What game is she playing this time? And even more frightening, what long-hidden secrets from Gretchen’s past have been dredged up that someone would kill to protect?
{5 stars}
Another page turning hit. Chelsea Cain has one of the darkest imaginations I have ever read, and I love every word of it. Archie and Gretchen go way back, back to when she kidnapped him and tortured him nearly to death. Now they have this bizarre connection that neither one can break or are willing to break. Gretchen is locked away in a mental hospital, but someone is killing people that leads Archie closer to solving some old murders that are blamed on Gretchen.
This book has all the plot twists and turns that keep you trying to figure out who the killer is, how is the murderer tied to Gretchen, and where the hell did Gretchen come from. Archie gets closer than he has ever gotten to discovering all her secrets. And wow, are there some jaw dropping surprises! Cain's character development has reached an amazing level. Archie, Henry, and Susan are all back for another round of murder, thrills, scares, and near-death moments. Add in Claire, Leo and Bliss and you have the perfect balance. The plot with Archie, Susan, and Gretchen has reached a comfortable level where you can almost guess what they are thinking, or what they are going to do. And as we peel back the layers of Gretchen's life, we only get more questions. Leaving us with another cliff hangar ending.
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