Review: Savage by L.A. Day

Sandy M’s review of Savage by L.A. Day
Erotic sci-fi romance novella released by Ellora’s Cave 7 Nov 07

I had high hopes for this book. It started out quite well in the first chapter, a good storyline and interesting characters, some great flashbacks to fill in the characters’ history. It was when I was just a little way into chapter two that it all fell apart for me.

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Tags: 2007, Ellora's Cave, Erotic, Grade D, L.A. Day, November 2007, Review, romance, Sandy M, Savage, Sci-Fi

Duodecimal: J.R. Ward’s 12 True Moments in Movies

J.R. Ward (a.k.a. Jessica Bird), author and personal bitch scribe to the Black Dagger Brotherhood, shares some of her favorite cinematic experiences with us.

Don’t forget that her reader message boards re-open tomorrow, 1 Jan 08, at noon US Eastern! And that her next BDB entry, Lover Enshrined (BDB Book 6) , comes to us June 2008! Read more

Tags: 2007, Duodecimal, J.R. Ward

Review: Scions: Resurrection by Patrice Michelle

Devon’s review of Scions: Resurrection by Patrice Michelle
Paranormal romance released by Silhouette Nocturne January 1, 2008

This was a tasty little treat for those of us who enjoy vampires. The first couple of Silhouette Nocturnes I tried were mediocre, but they have gotten better and better. I have now read several that I would recommend to others, and Scions: Resurrection is another to add to the list. It was a fast-paced story with nice chemistry between the hero and heroine.

Jachin, a loner who has been exiled from his vampire tribe, kidnaps Ariel because he thinks she will help fulfill a prophecy and get him back in with his people. From there on out it’s non-stop action, as they dodge baddies and fight their growing attraction. Jachin had overbearing prick potential, but…I liked him. Not even sure why, I didn’t think I would at first. Ariel skirted the edge of annoyingly sassy, but never went over. She was brave, but never TSTL.

In this world, vampires were created by humans to be a kind of superhuman weapon, accounting for their strength, agility and various abilities. The fangs are an unexpected anomaly, and the aversion to sunlight was created by the humans in order to give the vamps a weakness. It was an interesting and unexpected idea. However, there was one issue that nagged at me increasingly. What was with the blood-drinking? Why? Did the scientists want the vampires to suck on human blood? Maybe I missed something, but I didn’t see how the blood thirst fit in. The Lupreda, werewolves created by the vamps, seemed contrived just to throw shapeshifters in there.

The book also suffered from some pacing issues. It was so fast-paced, then after the climax the last few scenes felt oddly tacked on. Despite these issues, this was an enjoyable book. The story and characters overcame my world-building quibbles, and after a couple of days I still liked the book. I will definitely read the next installment.

Grade: B-
Blurb:

Everyone believed vampires were extinct. Everyone was wrong.

When Ariel Swanson wrote a novel about vampires, she hoped it would exorcise her fear of the creatures that had, not so long ago, terrorized the human population.

Instead, it brought her to their attention.

And to the attention of Jachin Black - a man banished from the Saguinas, a vampire pack, and forced to hunt among the despised humans. For he clung to the prophecy given years ago, of a better way for his kind to live - a prophecy Ariel unknowingly used as the basis of her novel.

Ariel hates and fears vampires. Jachin despises humanity. But the prophecy - and passion - binds them in ways they could never have

imagined. Ways that may heal the past, and change the future.

[Ed. Check out Alicia’s review of this book]

Tags: 2007, Devon, Grade B, Harlequin Silhouette, January 2008, Nocturne, Paranormal, Patrice Michelle, Review, Scions: Resurrection

Review: To Hell and Back (Dante Valentine, Book 5) by Lilith Saintcrow

Gwen’s review of To Hell and Back (Dante Valentine, Book 5) by Lilith Saintcrow
Futuristic paranormal published 1 Jan 08 by Orbit

I hesitated to start this book. I knew it was the last in the series and I didn’t want the magic to end. I wanted my visit to Dante and Japhrimel’s worlds to go on and on. Well, I hesitated about half a day. I just had to see what happened next.

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Tags: 2007, Dante Valentine series, Futuristic, Grade A, Gwen, January 2008, Lilith Saintcrow, Orbit, Paranormal, Review, To Hell and Back

Duodecimal: Christie Craig’s Copes (12 tips)

Fantabulous author of the fun and critically acclaimed Divorced, Desperate and Delicious, Christie Craig, shares with us her tips for coping during the holiday season. Print it out and store it with your decorations so you can follow it next year (yes, I’m a little slow getting this up - yikes - I’m amazed I’m not insane. Oh. Wait…)

Decorate that tree, and pray the cat doesn’t chew on the cord. Get that shopping done, and find that perfect gift for people who already have two of everything plus the kitchen sink, wrap those gifts and make them Martha Stewart pretty—never mind that you are wrapping impaired—cook that gourmet dinner that takes five hours to prepare and everyone 20 minutes to eat. Attend that party, never mind you feel fat in your holiday attire, and would love to just stay home and watch It’s a Wonderful Life. Let’s face it, the holidays are filled with hurry up to-do lists, headache producing events, and moments that make you want to kick Santa’s butt and blow the bulb in Rudolph’s nose.

Because I share your holiday pain, I’ve decided to share my list of twelve tips that can help you have a merrier, less stressful holiday.

12 tips for Having a Happier, Merrier Holiday

1. Go sit on Santa’s lap. That’s right. Tell Santa what you want for Christmas. Hey . . . he might be a gorgeous hunk under that beard, and even if he’s not, it might rekindle your belief in the magic of Christmas. And while you are there, have your picture taken. My family and I have our pictures taken with Santa every year.

2. Buy a jigsaw puzzle and put it out on a card table. You might be amazed how many people will enjoy sitting down and finding a piece of puzzle, especially this time of year. This also allows you and family a moment to slow down long enough to share a smile and a less stressful moment.

3. Go buy a small toy, something totally silly for everyone you love. You’ve probably forgotten how much fun yo-yo’ing or playing darts can be on Christmas morning.

4. Write clues on all your gifts and make everyone try to guess what the gift is before they open it. It makes opening gifts much more fun.

5. Seduce your hubby, boyfriend, or significant other. Hey . . . tis’ the season to be merry. You think Santa’s glow isn’t related to a little holiday bliss with Mrs. Santa before he left for work?

6. Call an old friend you haven’t heard from in a while. While we shouldn’t need a reason to reconnect with old friends, sometimes life just gets too busy. So this season, slow down long enough to say “Merry Christmas!” to some you haven’t seen in ages.

7. Become someone’s Secret Santa. Do you know someone who could use a little extra cheer? Send them a small gift in the mail and don’t sign it. Just say you are their Secret Santa and want to let them know they are special. A small act of kindness can bring someone a large amount of joy.

8. Find a completely different recipe to cook. While we love our old family favorites, go a little wild in the kitchen and prepare something completely different. Who knows? You might be creating another holiday favorite for your family. (Or providing them a funny story to laugh about during future Christmases.)

9. Between shopping, cooking and wrapping, take a breather and spend some time with your pets. That’s right, they deserve a little special holiday time, too. And remember, spending time petting an animal can lower your blood pressure and be a win-win de-stresser for you both.

10. Bring out your old holiday images of you and your family. If you have older children, they will love reminiscing about their childhood holidays. After all, holidays memories from the past can warm your heart and bring you holiday joy.

11. Give yourself a Christmas present and slow down long enough to read a book. May I suggest, Divorced, Desperate and Delicious? Or maybe you might enjoy what I’m reading this holiday, The Salt Maiden by Colleen Thompson

12. Get into the mood by belting out a few Christmas tunes. That’s right, singing is a good stress releaser. So go ahead, it doesn’t matter that if you can’t carry tune even if it was in paper bag. A few lyrics of Rudolph The Red Nose Reindeer and you’ll be smiling.

Merry Christmas!
Christie Craig

How about you guys - what do you do to make it to the other side of the holidays?

Tags: 2007, Christie Craig, Duodecimal

Duodecimal: Nath’s Newbies (12 of ‘em)

Nath, blogger from our Northern neighbor Canada, shares with us a list of 12 authors new to her. Read more from her at Natuschan, Books, Books, and More Books…

12 New Authors to Me for the Year of 2007

In no particular order…

1. Deborah Smith - thank you for Blue Willow and The CrossRoads Cafe.

2. Meljean Brook - thank you for Demon Angel and Demon Moon. Thank you for Hugh and Lilith - such an awesome couple… and I now want a hellbound as my pet.

3. Robyn Carr - thank you for the town of Virgin River… and thank goodness the Grace Valley trilogy is going to be re-printed.

4. Kate Angell - thank you for the Rogues.

5. Laura Florand - thank you you for having such a wonderful and funny life.

6. Naomi Novik - thank you for Temeraire - such a dear.

7. Elizabeth Vaughan - thank you for the War Chronicles.

8. Jacquelyn Franks - thank you for Jacob.

9. Emilie Richards - thank you for the Shenandoah Album Series.

10. Metsy Hingle - thank you for The Wager and Flash Point.

11. Terri Garey - thank you for Dead Girls Are Easy.

12. Lorraine Heath - thank you for Just Wicked Enough and a very extensive backlist that I get to discover.

How about you - read any new-to-you authors this last year you want to share?

Tags: 2007, Duodecimal, Nath

Review: Cascadia Wolves: Wolf Unbound by Lauren Dane

Teddy Pig’s review of Cascadia Wolves: Wolf Unbound by Lauren Dane
Paranormal Erotica Romance published in ebook 01 Jan 08 by Samhain

Blurb:

Overshadowed by the rising threat of the werewolf mafia, Ben and Tegan struggle to stand united.

A Cascadia Wolves story

Werewolf Enforcer Tegan Warden has been alone since the death of her mate four years ago. Until she meets Ben Stoner at a local club and she feels something she thought died inside her. Things move very quickly and she finds herself mated to a human man who’s not altogether sure he wants a forever kind of love with a woman he’s just met.

Ben realizes in short order Tegan is not only worth forever love, but a woman who’ll stand at his side without tolerating anything other than a full partnership.

In the bedroom it’s another story, as Ben has finally found a sexual submissive with a spark, and Tegan a man worthy of her submission. Together they work toward building a permanent relationship even as the specter of danger from the Pellini Group grows in the world of wolves.

All around them, the rising violence threatens the Packs and the only thing they know for certain is one another.

Warning: Naughty language that might get your mouth washed out with soap, domineering alpha males knocked down a few pegs by their women, smoking hot bedroom action including always consensual BDSM type action, werewolf mafia and the violence that loves them.

Read an excerpt.

That’s it. I do not know how you guys find time during the holidays to actually sit down and focus on an eBook. You people are not human you must be alien super readers with abilities I obviously do not have. I suck! No, I do not just suck, I suck mighty BIG TIME! So anyway, sorry it took so long but I was trapped in a line at Best Buy during the half-off-all-DVDs-sale and they just sent in the police to break it up. It’s sad to see people beating each other bloody over box sets of The Best of Jerry Springer.

I am happy to report while I was waiting in line and ducking the occasional thrown punch I was finally able to crack open this little Christmas goody Angela, the eGoddess of Samhain and ruler of all things eClassy and eTasteful whom I eWorship, sent to me like an ePiphany from the heavens. So on with our reView.

For those of you joining us late in the game here Wolf Unbound is actually the fourth book in the killer Cascadia Wolves series. The first was the glorious eBook Enforcer which introduced us to this world of werewolves and Nina, the sharp tongued human hacker girl, and Lex, her mate with the fur and the mega badass guns & ammo collection. I loved this world immediately and I liked the story and I liked Lauren’s writing but sad to say Nina’s jokes got just a tad bit repetitive which is not good for the main heroine character. It got a Grade: B for being a fun read but a little annoying

Then along came Reluctant which I tried to like but felt the heroine Layla was just too TSTL for words especially with the complex world Lauren had built and the fact a full blooded werewolf vixen like Layla (you’ve got me on my knees, Layla, I’m begging, darlin’ please) should have worked out all those known werewolf-like issues supposedly suddenly thrust upon her pure blood werewolf ass. It was a short story, thank god, so I just ignored it, like much of Eric Clapton’s career, with a Grade: D.

Then came Tri Mates and that was one JUICY book. It’s about Cade and Lex’s sister, Tracy, and her mates, Nick and Gabe, and the ever darkening world around them. Really good stuff in that one (Read it!) and a solid Grade: A.

So right off the bat in Wolf Unbound here we get to see our old friends the wild widow Tegan Warden (our heroine for this book and the Enforcer’s right hand chick in charge), Cade (the pack Alpha), Lex (his brother the Enforcer), and the ever sharp tongued Nina (the pain in their collective butts). Nina let fly some pretty good zingers this book, Go Lauren. I really enjoyed Nina in this book. In fact I really enjoyed Nina, Lex and Cade in this book because they honestly felt like a real family and that is one of Lauren’s strengths as a writer. It’s also the reason I liked the Chase Brothers books because Lauren has a great feel for working class families and the interactions between them.

In this story Lauren really leverages that approach and the werewolves as a whole do not come across as this bunch of overly privileged suck faces. They fight, they argue, they duck out when grandma comes around, and you get the feeling they have money problems amongst other private issues and have to work for a living. That so rocks! I think werewolves would have trouble in society and they would end up having to work together to get by. Which is why despite a couple of missteps (Tracy, Nick and Gabe getting all in the way for no reason at Tegan’s house) I really enjoyed having the old crew come back to provide that family feeling that permeates Tegan’s world. It’s Werewolves LLC!

The WTF parts… Um, there were a few moments right at the beginning where I thought Joey W. Hill was guest writing. I mean, what was the whole Ryan “the Gay Vampire” and his boy Elroy? There have been vampires in this world before? Did I miss the memo? The whole BDSM club deal. Is everyone hanging out at these places now? I mean, I am into BDSM and all but I do not hang out at BDSM clubs. The secret is most BDSM clubs suck ass because the only people who bother to go need help and boy the last time I went I kept repeating to myself under my breath what my momma always told me, “Do not flaunt what you do not got!”

The GREAT parts… The world building went into high gear for this book and boy did it keep things interesting. Warren Pellini and his Werewolf Mafia are back on crack and baby he ain’t taking no prisoners this time. Well he does, but that’s just giving way too much information. Let’s just say if you have been following the series you have got to read this book ASAP. Things are getting wild and woolly. Hell, I would have read these books to follow this back-story alone because it is so good. Lycanthorpy Viruseses and all.

My conscience is nagging me though. I do not think this book stands very well on its own and that is what it comes down to in my grade here. We get told far too much about what happened to the young, vivacious Tegan and not shown enough. Why not show us the day Lucas died? Why recount it to us constantly? That would have so fixed most of the problems at the beginning of the book and some of the repetition later on because there would have been no need for that extra stuff. I really kept wanting to see internally how Tegan grew and got to this point of a second chance at love and I personally felt the lack of that showcasing a main character seriously left this a book you should only read after you have read all the others and are invested in this world and these great characters.

On that note, I highly recommend, for a good time, reading all the Cascadia Wolves series which gets a solid Grade: B from me on the whole. This book by itself gets a…

Grade: C

Review: Up Close and Dangerous by Linda Howard

Alicia Thomas’s review of Up Close and Dangerous by Linda Howard
Romantic Suspense published 17 Jul 07 by Ballantine

Warning, bad blurb ahead:

A mysterious plane crash . . . a dangerous trek through the Idaho wilderness . . . a smoldering attraction . . . and a deadly game of cat and mouse. In her latest tour de force of romantic suspense, New York Times bestselling author Linda Howard blends these elements into a gripping story that will keep readers breathless - and leave them begging for more. For in Linda Howard’s world, trust can be a weapon, a kiss can be a threat, and intimacy can be deadly.

Bailey Wingate’s scheming adult stepchildren are surprised when their father’s will leaves Bailey in control of their fortune, and war ensues. A year later, while flying from Seattle to Denver in a small plane, Bailey nearly dies herself when the engine sputters - and then fails.

Cam Justice, her sexy Texan pilot, manages to crash-land the aircraft. Stranded in the wilderness, and struggling to douse her feelings for the ruggedly handsome man by her side, Bailey begins to wonder whether this was a mere accident. Sure enough, upon her return to civilization Bailey’s suspicions mount: Who tampered with their plane? Who’s trying to reunite Bailey and her husband in the afterlife? Trusting her life - and heart - to Cam, Bailey must outwit a killer who will stop at nothing to finish the job.

Sexy, suspenseful, and lightning fast, Up Close and Dangerous showcases a beloved author at her dazzling best.

Read an excerpt.

This blurb is misleading to the point it makes me mad. I saw Amazon reviews where people were disappointed with the book because they were expecting what the blurb promised. Have you ever taken a drink of tea when you were expecting soda? It totally ruins the taste of the tea.

First, the “deadly cat and mouse game” doesn’t exist. The main adversary they face, for the vast majority of the book, is meeting their physical needs. It is mainly a survival situation plot. Why make it sound like they are being chased?

Second, it says, “Sure enough, upon her return to civilization Bailey’s suspicions mount…”. This makes no sense. The story is about over when they get back. To start the book expecting a lot to happen when they get back almost guarantees a feeling that the ending is too abrupt. “Trusting her life - and heart - to Cam, Bailey must outwit a killer who will stop at nothing to finish the job.”…?! I wonder if the person who wrote this even read the book. This just isn’t there.

Happily, I didn’t read the blurb until after I read the book. That’s a habit of mine with my auto-read authors. Cam is a great hero. He’s smart enough to admit his limitations but he’s also in control and does all he can in the situation. Bailey is strong enough to push herself but she doesn’t bluster about how tough she is. She just does what she has to do.

This book isn’t thrilling or exciting, at least after the plane crash. I’d call it a comfort read. It’s never boring and the characters are appealing. At times I’d giggle out loud. I closed the book with a smile, believing they’d have a happy marriage.

Grade: B

Review: Sure Thing by Lorie O’Clare

Holly’s review of Sure Thing by Lorie O’Clare
Contemporary romance ebook published 23 Nov 07 by Ellora’s Cave

Blurb:

Joanie Showalter didn’t plan on spending her anniversary cruise alone, but when her husband files for divorce, the last thing Joanie is going to do is let him and his new girlfriend have the tickets. Joanie also didn’t plan on being stranded in Seward, Alaska, mid-cruise. Her situation grows worse when an old Inuit woman accuses her of using a sex charm to seduce her grandson.

Corbin Silver was raised to treat women with respect. He would never make passes at a lady simply because she’s distractingly beautiful. But it’s not every day a gorgeous woman believes a necklace will make him lust after her. This is too good of an opportunity to pass up. After all, the entire town is just waiting for them to have sex.

After a few days together he knows that magic or not, he doesn’t want Joanie to leave. Joanie is struggling with the same attraction. Maybe magic brought them together, but if it’s true love, there is nothing stronger to keep them from falling apart.

Read an excerpt.

Once on the ship, Joanie Showalter decides to make the best of her new life. She shops a bit, buying a pretty necklace, and is truly surprised (and pleased) that most of the men on the ship seem to find her irresistible.  But when they stop in Seward, Alaska, her plans are once again thrown off when she wanders away and misses her ship as it departs for the next leg of its cruise.

Enter Corbin Silver. His grandmother has sold Joanie a fable about how her necklace was a sex charm, chagrining Corbin and making him feel responsible for Joanie.  Deciding the best course of action is to have Joanie stay with him for the week she has to wait for the ship to come back, he moves her into his house.

The premise behind this book is a good one. I expected there to be some humor and to really enjoy it, but for some reason, I just couldn’t get into it. To be fair to the book, I’m thinking it might have just been something in me. Kristie(j) calls this the “It’s not you, it’s me syndrome,” and I’m thinking that’s what happened here.

Ssomething about the way Joanie kept doubting her appeal started to bug me.  Corbin also bugged me. His need to push Joanie away to show her the charm had no effect on him started getting tiresome.  And while I think Ms O’Clare meant for the town’s inhabitants to provide comic relief as they vowed to help break the curse on Joanie and Corbin, I found them more irritating than anything.  But again, it might have just been me.

I have to give this a DNF grade, because though I finished it, I skipped a good five to seven chapters in the middle. Which could quite possibly be the reason I didn’t enjoy this as much as I expected.

I truly hope y’all will give this a try, though. While it didn’t work for me, I think others will enjoy it.

Grade: DNF

Duodecimal: 12 Authors Essential to Shiloh Walker

Shiloh Walker, author, blogger, commenter, and one of our favorite people, gives us her list of fellow authors everyone should read…

12 Authors that everybody should read… in my humble opinion

1. Me.  ;-)  Hey, I’m lazy with promo, so I figure I’ll just get this little bit in and then I can call myself done with promo for a few days.  Weeks.

2. Lynn Viehl/S.L. Viehl, a.k.a. Paperback Writer. Anybody that knows me isn’t going to be surprised to see this one.  I love this woman’s writing.  Plain and simple.  No matter what the name, I love her stuff.  She writes vamps under Lynn Viehl, the Stardoc books (sci fi) under S.L. Viehl and had some romantic suspenses out under Jessica Hall/Gena Hale.  She’s not using the last two pseudonyms any more… sniffle.  Sob.  But she is just an excellent writer.

3. Nora Roberts.  Hard as it is for me to believe, there are some romance lovers out there that haven’t read her.  I adore Nora Roberts.  Specifically the Irish Jewels trilogy, the Chesapeake Bay series and the Donovans.

4. J.D. Robb. Yeah, I know Nora Roberts and J.D. Robb are the same person.  But the writing styles aren’t exactly the same.  Some people that love the NR books don’t like J.D. Robb.  Some that like J.D. Robb don’t like the NR books.  Futuristic romantic suspense, killer H&H, love them.

5. Shelby Reed.  For those who aren’t sure they’d like erotic romance, Shelby is a great way to start.  She doesn’t write as burn the pages sexy as some other erotic romance authors, but she does write steamy.  She writes some of the most beautiful books I’ve ever read, bar none.

6. Joey Hill.  She is to the BDSM genre what Shelby Reed is to the erotic romance genre.  Beautiful stories that can take you places you aren’t sure you want to go, but once you get on the ride, you can’t get off.  But be warned… she isn’t for the faint of heart.

7. Bettie Sharpe.  Right now, Bettie doesn’t have any books out to buy.  Her first book is coming out from Samhain in January.  But yes… she’s on my list.  Why?  Because of Ember.  If Ember is any indication of Bettie’s writing, then I’m a fan for life.

8. Lora Leigh.  Hot stuff.  Be warned.  I love her.

9. Mercedes Lackey.  Fantasy.  Some romantic subplots and I do believe she has some fantasy romances out with Luna, but I mostly love her Valdemar books.  Addicted to the Valdemar books.  And Diana Tregard.

10. Patricia Briggs.  She writes fantasy and urban fantasy, but I’ve only read the urban stuff.  Her Mercedes Thompson books are urban fantasy with some romantic undertones.  Killing stories.  Love them.

11. Marilyn Pappano.  I haven’t read all of her books, actually, I think I’ve only read a couple, but one of them is one of my favorite books, ever.  Passion isn’t in print any more which is a shame.  Because it’s an excellent book.

12.  Holly Lisle.  Fantasy and romantic suspense.  I haven’t read all of her fantasy stuff, but she’s a great fantasy writer.  However, she blew me away with her romantic suspense, I See You.

Who’s on your “must read” author list?

Tags: 2007, Duodecimal, Shiloh Walker

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