Veena’s review of Charmed by His Love (Spellbound Falls, Book 2) by Janet Chapman
Paranormal Romance published by Jove 29 May 2012

Maximilian (Mac) Oceanus shook the earth and moved mountains to create a bottomless lake with a saltwater channel to the ocean to prove his love to Olivia Baldwin in Spellbound Falls.  Now that Mac and Olivia are happily married and starting on their new life together, Janet Chapman turns our attention to Olivia’s best friend Peg Thomson in her next installment of the Spellbound series, Charmed by His Love.

Lonely Peg lives for her children. She turns her back on love and romance, believing that the women in her family are cursed by a black widow curse that takes the lives of any men they marry. To prove her point, both her mother and grandmother are also widows having tried their luck at least twice already. She meets Duncan Mackeage in a storm of kicks and slaps as she attacks him for frightening her son.

Duncan of the Mackeage and MacBain highlander clans of Tarstone Mountain has been hired by Mac to build the road from Spellbound to the mountain resort that he is building his wife as a wedding present. Needing the gravel that Peg owns in order to get his road built, Duncan reaches out to Peg only to find her illegally hunting deer to feed her children.  Prickly Peg and crusty-on-the-outside Duncan are able to move past their unfortunate beginning, having negotiated a fair price for the gravel, to find mutually admirable characteristics.

So starts a tentative acceptance and friendship. Duncan quickly forges a relationship with Peg’s children, who view him as their missing father figure. Between Duncan, his cousin Rory MacBain, and nephew Alex, the family is protected from scary and unpleasant events in their quiet community. Duncan is the only non-magical person in his family of time-traveling, shapeshifting druids and wizards. But Peg and now Duncan are under the protection of the uber wizard Mac himself.  Duncan slowly and patiently works on Peg’s heart to free his very powerful magic that is just waiting for love to free it.

This is a charming family story with precocious children helped by a whale named Levithian, who subtly nudge their mother toward a romance that will free her to live a full life. I look forward to Carolina’s story next so I can revisit with all the characters we’ve met in these two books. The crowning glory of the book is the first day of school for Peg’s twins and Mac’s son Henry. Somewhat unusual in today’s romance novels, this one is a good clean read.

Grade: A

Summary:

All Duncan MacKeage wants is to keep his crew building roads and bridges up the mountain to the fancy resort overlooking Spellbound Falls’ new inland sea. He doesn’t want anything to do with his own family magic or with the beautiful widow, Peg Thompson, and her tribe of little heathens. But when Duncan is tasked with keeping an eye on the widow Thompson, trouble starts.

Because of a family curse, Peg fears that giving in to her desires will mean killing off another lover. But Duncan—the strong, handsome man buying her gravel—is unbelievably tempting and determined to take care of her. Torn between her head and her heart, will Peg find the strength to break free of her black-widow curse? Or will pursuing their attraction put these lovers in harm’s way?

No excerpt available.

Other books in this series:

Sandy M’s review of The Wolf Who Loved Me (The Wolf Who Loved Me Trilogy, Book 1) by Lydia Dare
Historical Paranormal Romance published by Sourcebooks Casablanca 1 Apr 12

With this new spin-off trilogy, Lydia Dare is giving readers more of her werewolves with the Hadley brothers, three rakes who get into trouble every chance they get.

I’m glad the wolves are back. I know Ms. Dare was trying to give readers something different with the last three books in the series that featured vampires. Those stories were good, but they just lack the flare of those werewolves that I’ve enjoyed so much from the beginning of this series. This time around we have some fun with the half-brothers of Dashiel Thorpe, who is hero of The Taming of the Wolf. Twins Weston and Grayson and Archer Hadley are about to have their ears flicked to bring them into line after causing havoc at every turn. Dash and Caitrin are fed up and desperate measures are in the works.

Weston has always been enamored of Lady Madeline Hayburn, but she’s out of his league. Even knowing her father has brought in eligible bachelors for her to choose from doesn’t bring him any closer to his dream of having her. Society doesn’t look kindly on the Hadleys. So he has to admire her from afar, with only minimum interaction. The lady has marginally noticed Wes, but her priority is staying away from the gents who are vying for her attention. And her money.

All the problems really begin when Madeline spies Weston from her window in an altercation with another man, incapacitating him. She’s curious as to what he’ll do next, so she slips out of the house to follow him to the barn. But what she ends up seeing alters both of their lives completely. It’s the full moon and Wes has no control over his shifting when it’s time. When he realizes what Madeline has seen, and despite the fact she’s now frightened of him, his only option is to head to Gretna Green for a quick marriage. If her future is tied with his, her silence is assured.

But being kidnapped and forced to marry isn’t Madeline’s idea of making the problem go away. She does her best to get away from Wes, even though she becomes more attracted to him as time goes on. When she stops to see he is taking care of her, he does feel something for her, her need to escape lessens. When her father catches up to them, Madeline must make a choice. Should she go back home, which is what she’s wanted for so long, or now take a chance on the man who has come to mean something to her? Madeline decides to take a chance. She jumps from the inn window into the arms of her future.

Of course, now that she’s made that choice, things can only sail smoothly for so long. During their trip they acquire a couple passengers, both known to Wes, who make it more difficult for him to keep soothing his intended’s feathers. After finally making it to Gretna Green, becoming husband and wife, and enjoying the best wedding night, it doesn’t take long for things to go awry. Madeline spies Wes in a compromising position with the actress who shared their carriage, and she thinks the worst. So much so she runs to Wes’ so-called friend to help her get back home. That plan turns out to be a major mistake. During his search for his wife, Wes realizes he was wrong to force Madeline into marriage, she deserves better than he can ever give her. So once he’s found her, he’ll return her to her father. That’s best for all concerned.

Madeline, however, takes exception to that idea. And at the end of the book is my only nitpick. I thought perhaps once I pondered on it I might change my mind, but I’ve found I haven’t. I feel Madeline’s “begging” is taken a bit too far, especially at the time and place it happens. I know it’s because she has to convince Wes she’s true in her words and feelings toward him, but I think an alternative or even some type of compromise with that scene would have worked better. For me, anyway. Her actions, of course, move Wes and do convince him, but that’s just not the Madeline I’ve come to know during this read.

Other than that, I enjoyed this novel quite a bit. The Hadley brothers aren’t as charismatic as Dash – he’s still my favorite hero of the series – but they make for good fun and eventually romance. I’m quite intrigued with the budding relationship between Archer and Madeline’s friend, Sophie. That should be one wild romp, which I’m looking forward to.

Grade: B

Summary:

Lady Madeline Hayburn Has Money Problems…

Specifically, she has so much of it that she’s dogged by fortune hunters, including her bewilderingly attractive, penniless neighbor, with his wild nature and uncouth manners…

Weston Hadley Has An Identity Crisis…

Specifically, he’s just turned into a wolf while Madeline was watching. Now it’s up to the regal lady to tame the wild beast…if she can…

Read an excerpt. (click the Excerpt tab)

Other books in this series:

Sandy M’s review of Where There’s Smoke by Karen Kelley
Paranormal Erotic Romance published by Sourcebooks Casablanca 1 May 12

This is actually my first Karen Kelley book. I like the premise of the story, so thought it would be a good book to review. While I like the handsome and immortal cowboy hero – who wouldn’t want a cowboy for forever? – and the sex is hot and steamin’, there’s a couple of pet peeves that kept me on edge in between the sexy voice and grins that cowboy tosses around and the play of heaven against hell, stealing souls, and trying to do the right thing.

Destiny is a demon in training. She kinda messes up on occasion, so she’s been kicked out of hell to steal that one last soul to move her up to full demon status. Once there, it’s smooth sailing, she’ll finally have everything she’s been promised by the demon who turned her all those years ago. So she’s hunting for that next lucky – or unlucky, depending on how you look at it – soul, and she stumbles upon an uber sexy cowboy in a bar. Her first thought is not stealing his soul, it’s of sex – can’t blame her on that one! – which she hasn’t had in quite a little while.

The product of an angel and a human woman, Chance is a nephilim, a demigod, if you will. He’s immortal and, thus, has certain powers to go along with that status. His current mission is to save Destiny’s soul, convince her she can start again and have a better life than the one before, including her time in hell. Only thing is, she affects him as no other woman has. But he refuses to compromise his work ethic of saving a soul and then engaging in sex, if that’s what is desired. Sex first is the way his brothers in arms work, but not Chance.

What he doesn’t have a problem with is getting Destiny off any other way he can, and he does that quite deftly and often. This leads to the first of my pet peeves. For the first six chapters it’s Chance and Destiny coming together for their respective goals, only to have Chance work Destiny over to the point of boneless satiation so she forgets what she’s about. He then takes off because he won’t let things go any further. She gets pissed, promises to be in control next time, and then it starts all over again. Yes, there’s interaction between Destiny and the humans she befriends, as well as Chance and his brothers. Thus another pet peeve: we learn about these two characters’ lives and whatnot from this type of interaction and not from their interaction with each other. In the beginning all we get from them being together is plenty of foreplay.

Now, I like sex and all its variations in my romance books as much as the next reader – and, yes, I realize this is an erotic romance – but I also like a little story to go along with it. We get some basics in these six chapters, but that’s about it. Destiny isn’t allowed to fraternize with humans, but she’s suddenly overrun by neighbors in the apartment she “borrows.” Chance is still trying to keep his attraction to her at bay and discusses it over with his brothers, trying to do things the right way. Nothing new crops up until Destiny begins to care for her neighbors and Chance finally throws caution to the wind and the sex scenes ramp up a notch or two. But this is all too long in coming, too much redundancy for me in those initial chapters.

Once Chance and Destiny do the deed, though, the story begins to move along a little better. I enjoyed Chance’s use of magic, giving her romantic places to make love to her while they dance around one another trying to do their jobs. I also like Destiny’s shift in her attitude toward humans. She begins to really like this menagerie of quirky neighbors who invade her space every chance they get. Of course, the good times can only last so long before Destiny is reminded why she’s back in the land of the living. Her demon steps in with a heavy hand to show her the error of her ways in getting friendly with mortals. He also plants doubt about Chance, and Destiny then grabs hold again of her original mission to steal a soul so she’ll finally have everything she deserves. I waffled on whether I like the idea of Destiny throwing everything that she’s gained in the past few weeks to the wind, especially when she tells herself she’s not seen one thing promised to her in all the years she’s served in hell. But she talks herself into staying with what she knows. It’s when she sees the end result of her actions that she truly begins to see what she wants and needs in a different light.

The strong point of this book for me is Chance. I mean, how can you not love a sexy cowboy angel?    I’ve yet to read one, so this is fun for me. That he has to go through his own hell and face an old adversary – all because of and for Destiny – makes him that much more appealing. Destiny herself had to grow on me, so she’s the weak link in my mind. At times she comes off a little too whiny, but she does redeem herself in the end. I think a little less with the secondary characters and more between Chance and Destiny would have played much better, especially once they begin to know each other, other than in a sexual way.

Though what doesn’t work for me may work for you. I’d be interested in hearing what you think!

Grade: C

Summary:

When sexy wannabe-demon, Destiny Carter, is kicked out of Hell, she lands in Ft. Worth, Texas with one week to corrupt a soul. Or else. She slips into a slinky red dress, and heads straight for the delicious, corruptible looking cowboy at the bar.

But Chance Bellew has his own agenda-saving souls. He’s not your typical angel. He’s a nephilim, to be exact. Centuries ago, angels came down from Heaven and mated with mortal women. When the women bore children, a new race was created. Immortals with powers—demigods, nephilim.

But the children don’t live by the same rules as mortals, or that of the typical, robe-wearing, bright light-surrounding-them angels. Hell, most of the time the nephilim are breaking the rules, and making up new ones as they go. As long as they don’t cross over to the dark side, everyone pretty much stays out of their way.

But sometimes a demon-in-training, who looks like Destiny, comes along and all Hell breaks loose.

Read an excerpt.

Other books in this series:

Sandy M’s review of Werewolf in Seattle (Wild About You, Book 4) by Vicki Lewis Thompson
Paranormal Romance published by Signet 3 Apr 12

I’ve really enjoyed reading Vicki Lewis Thompson’s paranormals, and she continues with her Wild About You series with a gentle and sensitive alpha werewolf who gets an attitude adjustment in his beliefs when he meets our heroine. Their romance is sweet but doomed. The wolf thinks he’ll be able to control his instincts, but he’s in for a huge surprise.

Colin is headed to his late great aunt’s island estate, thinking he’ll make quick arrangements to sell it all so he can return to Scotland to get back to his clan and his brother, who’s very good at keeping Colin cleaning up issue after issue. Though he has pleasant memories of visiting his aunt and the island, his duties as laird just won’t allow him to take on more responsibility.

Never fitting in nor having a home until she met Geraldine, Luna loves the Pacific Northwest island that has called to her since she arrived. She’s a hybrid, half were and half human, and never had anyone to guide her throughout her were life. Not wanting to lose the only place she’s felt comfortable, she has decided to propose a business opportunity to Colin when he arrives – turn the house and island into an exclusive shifter retreat.

When these two meet, the attraction is instant. Luna is determined to keep her distance because of her proposal, but Colin doesn’t care one whit about business getting in the way of having that lovely assistant in his bed. He doesn’t hide his feelings about weres mating with humans, so that’s another reason Luna doesn’t want to get involved with him, but good intentions on both sides go by the wayside every time they’re together. I like the early sexual tension between them, they don’t hide it, even if they don’t act on it then. And we don’t have to wait three-quarters of the book before they do fire up the pages between the sheets.

Colin tries to hold on to his idea that humans and weres don’t and shouldn’t mix, but meeting Luna makes him rethink things after a bit. He also helps her find some of her family, but they run into trouble on one end while finding a new beginning on the other for Luna. Colin has trouble of his own at home, so the time comes when he has to leave. Though they both know this time has to come, you begin to wonder what Ms. Thompson will do to get them to their happily ever after. You know it has to come, but the anticipation is fun until you get there.

Colin is a delightful hero, kind, generous, gentle, and sexy as all get-out. He even dons a kilt at one point and you can’t help but drool over him. Luna is a combination of savvy and innocence, which is due to her being alone with her werewolf-ness while growing up. There are some quirky secondary characters who keep the laughter high. This is a fun, light-hearted romance, as are the previous books in this series. It’s a feel-good read that will brighten any bad mood or reading slump. If you’re not sure what to read next, try this one. It’s time for some fun!

Grade: A

Summary:

Luna Reynaud has always been a lone wolf—because she’s half human. Afraid she’ll be rejected by both communities, she’s kept her secret from everyone, even the Weres she’s found a home with working on an estate in the San Juan Islands. But when her boss suddenly dies and the heir arrives, she discovers some secrets aren’t meant to be kept.

As the head of the most powerful werewolf clan in Scotland, Colin MacDowell isn’t eager to take on the responsibility of his great aunt’s estate—until he meets her sexy assistant, Luna. He thinks she’s the Were of his dreams, until he finds out she’s not. Highly opposed to bringing even half-humans into the pack, Colin knows he must resist this powerful attraction. But once aroused, a wolf’s instincts are not so easily subdued.

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Other books in this series:

Sandy M’s review of Untouched (Amoveo Legend, Book 2) by Sara Humphreys
Paranormal Romance published by Sourcebooks Casablanca 3 Apr 12

Kudos to Sourcebooks for finding new, up-and-coming authors who are writing outside the box, giving readers something a little different than the usual stories we’ve been getting lately. Sara Humphreys is the latest author I’ve found who’s taken my shifters and given them a bit of a twist.

Kerry is a model who’s known as an ice princess – she never touches anyone and stays as far away from people as she can get. What only a few know is that when she touches someone, visions and pain overtake her. What she doesn’t know is her heritage of being a shapeshifter to go along with her psychic gift. She’s a hybrid – born of an Amoveo father and a human mother – and the Purists are out to eradicate hybrids from their race.

Thus we meet Dante, a security specialist, who will be acting as Kerry’s bodyguard. Until he can work in the fact she’s also his mate. That has to be a slow and gentle unveiling. The Amoveo are ancient clans of a variety of shifters from eagles to panthers and everything in between. This is what I enjoy the most about this book. We’re dealing with a fox – Dante; a wolf – Samantha, Kerry’s best friend; an eagle – Malcolm, Samantha’s husband (both of whom are featured in Book 1, Unleashed); and several other animals, along with Kerry, who is a beautiful black panther. I like the fact we have different clans mating, rather than wolves with wolves and so forth like we normally read about.

Dante is determined to keep Kerry safe, not only because she’s his mate, but also because it was his father who was a major participant in the attack on Samantha, who is also a hybrid, in the previous book. Kerry’s next modeling assignment takes them all to New Orleans and an old, rundown house on the bayou. Another element of this story is that the characters can read energy of every kind, from loving to evil. The area where they’re working eventually takes on a very evil energy, only one more thing to add to the investigation of who’s behind all the recent break-ins and attacks.

Once Kerry begins to see Dante in a different light – she initially doesn’t care much for him – she now sees his desire to protect her, his loving nature, as well as his lust for her. And these two together do sizzle. Dante has to restrain himself around Kerry, at least until she knows exactly who and what he is, as well as who and what she is. So you can imagine the sexual tension by the time she’s ready. On that score, I like the fact we don’t have to wait until the last fourth of the book to experience their pleasure in one another.

When evil finally gets its clutches into our characters and it’s revealed who is behind it all, it is a surprise. This is where I also enjoyed them in their animal shapes. We see a totally different side both during capture and after, along with those who attempt rescue. Then we’re given another surprise combined with heartache as more information about Kerry is revealed. And this doesn’t end the betrayal, there are still those who need to be found, which will continue into the next book.

I have not read the first book in this series. While it would have been nice to have done so, I don’t feel I lost anything by starting here. I’m sure I would have gotten some information that might have helped a tad more while reading this story, but Ms. Humphreys does a good job of filling you in with little muss. If you’re a paranormal fan, give this series a try. I’m looking forward to getting caught up and then continuing on with Untamed later this year.

Grade: B

Summary:

SHE SHOULD BE SEEN, BUT NEVER TOUCHED…

Kerry Smithson’s modeling career ensures that she will be admired from afar, which is essential since mere human touch sparks blinding pain and terrifying visions.

EVERY GOOD MODEL NEEDS A HEAVENLY BODYGUARD…

Dante Coltari is hired to protect Kerry from those who know who she is—or more importantly what she is—and want her dead because of it. Nothing could have prepared him for the challenge of keeping her safe. But, strangely, his lightest touch brings her exquisite pleasure rather than pain, and Dante and Kerry have an otherwordly connection that might just pull them through.

Read an excerpt. (scroll down)

Other books in this series:

Ash’s review of The Darkest Seduction (Lords of the Underworld, Book 9) by Gena Showalter
Paranormal Romance published by HQN 28 Feb 12

I have to say that Gena Showalter can really do no wrong by me. Paris’ story is one I have been waiting for. He has been through so much and I think he’s really grown, maybe not in a good way at first, but he’s definitely not the same person he was at the start of this series.

At the start of the book, Paris is still searching for Sienna. He doesn’t know what will happen when he finds her, he knows he wants a happily ever after, but he’s doubtful since he is the reason she’s dead.

I think one of the things I appreciate most about The Darkest Seduction is the way Paris and Sienna come together. They don’t see each other and suddenly fall madly in love. It’s awkward and they have a lot of baggage to overcome. They are both full of guilt toward each other, but also have hope. They still have tons of chemistry and this book is hot. Paris has not been the keeper of Promiscuity without learning some things. They really have a love story, and I can read it over and over again. Paris is my new favorite, after William, of course.

There is also more fighting, new bad (maybe?) guys, new creatures, new good (maybe?) guys, and even a very conceited goddess who I love to hate. Things have been steadily going toward something happening, and finally something does.

The twist in their lives is completely unexpected, at least for me. It does make perfect sense, though, and I can’t wait to see what happens next. It’s refreshing to not have things be put off book after book. It keeps things exciting and I want the next book right now. I also am dying for Zacharel’s book, and the start of that series. We get glimpses of the other Lords, and now I want to go and re-read Lucien and Maddox’s books – and probably all of the books.

I am just very happy when I am reading anything set in this world.

Grade: A

Summary:

Possessed by the demon of Promiscuity, immortal warrior Paris is irresistibly seductive—but his potent allure comes at a terrible price. Every night he must bed someone new, or weaken and die. And the woman he craves above all others is the one woman he’d thought was forever beyond his reach…until now.

Newly possessed by the demon of Wrath, Sienna Blackstone is racked by a ruthless need to punish those around her. Yet in Paris’s arms, the vulnerable beauty finds soul-searing passion and incredible peace. Until a blood feud between ancient enemies heats up.

Will the battle against gods, angels and creatures of the night bind them eternally—or tear them apart?

Read an excerpt.

Other books in this series:

Veena’s review of Beneath the Skin (De La Vega Cats, Book 3) by Lauren Dane
Paranormal Romance published by Samhain 3 Apr 12

Beneath the Skin by Lauren Dane is the continuing story of the De La Vega Cats, which is the spin-off from her highly popular Cascadia Wolves series. Gibson De La Vega is the Bringer or judge, jury and executioner; second to his brother Max (Revelation), who is the alpha of the Boston Jaguars. Mia Porter, an Iraq war veteran and recovering from a hate crime, rescues Gibson when he attacked and shot with silver. Attraction sizzles and sparks fly, but the contentious family history between their two families may derail their budding romance.

The Porter family has kept their distance from the community and the alpha family due to an incident involving Mia’s grandmother. Mia’s parents are not very receptive to Gibson due to this history, but her grandmother is ready to let bygones be bygone and allies with Mia and encourages the relationship openly and vocally.

Her relationship and rescue of Gibson propels Mia into the focus of the shooters and after she is attacked several times, Gibson moves her into his house and they set up housekeeping together. Alpha Gibson draws fire with his rough commanding nature, but, advised by his sisters-in-law, he’s able to salvage his relationship by making nice and apologizing.

Mia and Gibson complement each other on all fronts. As things heat up, they identify the perpetrators and mete out justice. Both Gibson and Mia are wonderful characters and make a great couple. It’s fun to be a part of the family dynamics between the brothers and see Mia fit in so well with the brothers and their wives as well as with their parents.

One of the fun things is how seamlessly Ms. Dane weaves in characters from her previous book so we can get updated on what’s happening in their lives. In this book we get to visit Cade and Grace Warden and get a glimpse into their busy life as the National alpha pair.  We also catch up on Jack, Cade’s second, and his mates Galen De La Vega and Renee, whose romance and mating is told in Trinity. We briefly peek in on Templeton Mancini, the national alpha who resigned when he was injured during the wolf pack wars in Standoff.

All in all, this is a fun book. My only complaint about the books in this series is that they are very short and I feel there are still hooks from Revelation and Trinity that are still left hanging. I’m left wanting more when the book ends.

Grade: B+

Summary:

A whole world exists…beneath the skin.

Gibson de La Vega is the Bringer, one of the Alpha’s right-hand cats. It is his job to mete out justice and defend the law that holds their jamboree together.

After a contentious meeting with another jamboree, he’s shot—Mia stumbles onto the scene and saves his life. He’s immediately drawn to the female who dug three silver bullets from his body. Even after he discovers she’s a Porter, a family his own harmed grievously half a century before.

Mia has enough in her life. She’s recovering from a vicious hate crime—an attack using silver has affected her ability to do what she loves most. The last thing she needs is a bossy alpha cat like Gibson. A de La Vega no less.

Despite the myriad reasons to stay away, even as they continue to hunt down the would-be killers, their attraction deepens into something else entirely.

The answers they find bring that threat far closer to home than anyone could have imagined and it’ll be up to Gibson to end the mess once and for all. And up to Mia to stand at his side, even as he risks his life…

Read an excerpt.

Other books in this series:

C2’s review of All for You (de Piaget, Book 15) by Lynn Kurland
Time Travel Romance published by Jove 24 Apr 12

Sometimes a girl just needs a knight in shining armor – and, in a pinch, tweed (and the help of some matchmaking ghosts) will do quite nicely.

Peaches Alexander’s life is not going as smoothly as she would like.  Her career has imploded, she has no real employment prospects and her savings account is dwindling.  There has been a lot of upheaval in her family recently (see One Enchanted Evening and One Magic Moment), and Peaches is stressed out.  And if she wishes for a starring role in her own personal fairy tale, well…a girl can dream, right?

Stephen de Piaget is mostly satisfied with his life – he gets to study (and teach) a subject he enjoys, spend time with his family at a castle he loves, and runs up to Scotland for hands-on medieval swordplay (and more) whenever he can get away.  If sometimes he wishes he could experience things a little more authentically, well…one can’t have everything, right?

Stephen and Peaches have a difficult relationship.  They got off on the wrong foot and have stayed there – due to Stephen’s talent for putting that foot in his mouth whenever Peaches is around.  Only after they both attend a house party given by the Duke of Kenneworth – Stephen’s nemesis and someone who has shown a great deal more interest in Peaches than Stephen would like – and Stephen helps her out of a series of bad situations does Peaches start to let go of her dislike for him.

(An aside – the series of circumstances that throw Peaches and Stephen together on the way to the house party are much too contrived.  I say, if the premise of a story is something unlikely – like time travel – everything else has to be extra realistic…maybe that’s just me.  Onward!)

After Stephen helps Peaches (another brief aside – how much do I dislike the name Peaches??  I don’t care if your parents were hippies…pick a new name! *ahem*) escape the duke’s evil clutches, they settle into a truce.  Stephen even hires Peaches as his research assistant (not only for her brain but because he wants to keep her nearby).  But just as things start to develop between them, the evil duke rears his icky head.  Suddenly, Stephen’s whole way of life is in peril. He realizes the only way to protect his future is to revisit the past – and head things off at the pass, as it were.  Stephen wants Peaches to stay safely in the present, of course, but she senses her help will be needed.

Will Stephen and Peaches find each other in the past?  Will fate allow them to change things enough to avert disaster?  With a little help from some ancestors, there can be no doubt.

This is not my favorite of the series – the hero and heroine are a bit bland and overshadowed by the supporting characters that show up along the way.  Still, faithful reader, if you are a frequent visitor to The Pond, you know I love Lynn Kurland’s books. They are an example of a world that keeps getting richer and more real with every story. And in her world, love is magical…how can that be anything but good?

Grade: B

Summary:

FALLING THROUGH TIME IS DANGEROUS…

Peaches Alexander is thrilled to receive an unexpected invitation to a weekend party given by the handsome, eligible Duke of Kenneworth. The only problem: Stephen de Piaget, a stuffy medieval studies scholar who seems determined to get in the way. Peaches has absolutely no desire to get involved with Stephen, until a quirk of Fate sends her hurtling through time…

UNLESS THERE’S SOMEONE TO CATCH YOU.

Stephen de Piaget has been leading a double life: respectable professor by day, knight-in-training during holidays and summer terms. When Peaches goes missing, Stephen knows he’s the only one who can rescue her from medieval peril. Little do they know that the greatest danger they’ll face won’t be the business end of a sword, but their own unruly hearts….

Read an excerpt.

Closely connected books:

Other directly connected books:

Other loosely connected books:

The rest of the series:

For reading order info, click here.

Sandy M’s review of The Shape of Desire (Shifting Circles Series, Book 1) by Sharon Shinn
Paranormal Romance published by ACE Hardcover 3 Apr 12

I’ve not read Sharon Shinn before, but I have friends who love her work, always say she gives you something different than the norm. So when I received this book with a shifter theme, I had to get into it. Something different? Definitely. But part of the story suffers for it.

Maria is very adept at weaving lies when it comes to the love of her life, Dante. Those lies are born of necessity. Dante is a shape-shifter; thus, secrecy is of the utmost importance to them. They’ve been together fifteen years, and Dante’s time as human has increasingly become less and less; therefore, their time together is also less. So Maria really looks forward to her time with him each month.

Never knowing what kind of animal he’ll change into whenever he shifts, Dante has no control over much of his life. His siblings also shift, as did his parents. He thinks them all abominations. He refuses to get married, have children, force his awful nature on other people, even if they can keep his secret. He has taken precautions for most any situation that may come about, always coming home to Maria when he’s able. Dante is a brooding, sexy man, quite amorous after being on his own for so long, then drawing into himself as his time comes again to depart to his next few weeks of the unknown. Other than the fact that he loves Maria, this is about all we get to know Dante, which is a little disappointing. The entire book is in Maria’s point of view, so we never really get into Dante’s head, which, I think, would have added more depth to the story, especially considering Maria’s doubts that pop up.

There have been a couple of killings in the area recently, people discovered mauled by a wild animal. Suddenly Maria begins to question herself, could it be Dante behind this. She finds that he has lied to her concerning his whereabouts when he’s able to call her during his brief shiftings. I find this a bit out of character. She’s been with this man for fifteen years, has kept his secrets, weaving her own lies to cover their life together. There’s never any reason for her to doubt Dante, only circumstantial evidence as more is discussed about the events. Maria does waffle back and forth about this issue, so you have to give her that. And when Dante does return, she’s just as happy as ever he’s home. It’s only when he’s gone that she begins her doubting. She also keeps this all from Dante. She never asks him straight up if he’s responsible.

In between Dante’s visits we follow Maria through her days, mostly at work where there’s a lot of drama with one co-worker’s domestic troubles, which eventually intersect with Maria’s life. A number of other employees are also introduced, and I’m not sure they’ll all necessary. We also meet Dante’s brother and sister, who has recently had a child, much to Dante’s dismay. It’s Maria who bonds with the child, knowing she’ll never have children of her own. There’s also a few instances where Maria flashes back over life events that now have some importance on their present situation.

We don’t get much shifting in the story until more than halfway through. After hearing about all the different animals Dante shifts into, I find it amusing he’s in dog form when finally interacting with Maria, after so many years of never allowing her to see him in any other form. But these are nice scenes and rather enjoyable, Dante’s way of protection. There is some intensity later on when the “killer” is revealed, and I do have to admit I didn’t see the who of it all coming.

After all of this, however, I still want to see things from Dante’s viewpoint. He’s the center of everything in the story, most notably Maria’s life. There are so many points throughout that would have had so much more depth to it if we’d been given Dante’s spin on things. Alas, not to be, though. I do like Ms. Schone’s voice, even if some scenes get a tad too flowery at times. I look forward to reading a few more of her books.

Grade: B

Summary:

Maria Devane has loved Dante Romano since she met him. But he’s a man with a secret: He’s a shape-shifter who spends an increasing amount of time in animal form. Or so he tells her—in the fifteen years they’ve been together, she’s never actually seen him take another shape. She tries not to wonder if that’s the truth. She tries not to think about the other reasons he might disappear for weeks at a time. But she has to start asking herself extremely hard questions when there’s a series of brutal murders in town and the most likely culprit is someone who is half animal, half human.

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Ash’s review of Chosen by Sin (Para-Ops Series, Book 3) by Virna DePaul
Paranormal Romance published by Createspace 01 Jan 12

Where do I start? There is really nothing I like about this book, and that makes me sad. In the previous books, and even in the beginning of this one, Dex and Jesmina seemed like bad-ass and smart characters I can have fun reading about. Then they change, and not for the better. The Dex and Jesmina at the end of the book are not people I want to root for.

I’ll start with the romance, if that is what you can call it. There is an immediate attraction between the two of them, and when they finally get together, it’s explosive. They part ways and not long after they meet up again, accidentally on purpose, in France. Apparently vampires get pregnant really, really fast, and they know it right away. Jes has had multiple miscarriages and she expects to have another, when she suddenly can tell that Dex is in the same country with her. She also feels the baby get stronger, because Dex is in the same country. Okay then. Let me just say, totally not a fan of pregnant heroines. So begins their journey of lies, anger, mistrust, betrayal, and so on. Dex says he loves Jes, but twice he accuses her of experimenting on children, the second time being when he actually takes their child and tries to hide it. Seriously?! He goes back and forth between loving her and hating her that I got whiplash, and Jes actually begs him to stay, when he is the one being an idiot. I can’t wrap my head around that. I lost all respect for both of them. Also, the passion disappears along with everyone’s balls.

As for everything else, it is a big let down. Shape-shifters are tired of being treated like dirt, so some of them plan to open a bridge to hell to let in demons. I am still not sure how that would help them, because we don’t really learn much about this plot. It seems to be just a reason for Dex to have gone to France. It never really goes anywhere. The majority of the battle with these demons happens off screen and after such a big buildup (it’s the end of the world!) I want more than a “phew that was hard, glad it’s over” moment. Dex being a half-breed werewolf and part of a legend are such key points, but they never really go anywhere. He could have been any type of paranormal, because he doesn’t act like a were in any way except he can shift, which he does maybe twice. Last, but not least, this series is called Para-Ops…but there is hardly even a team. Certainly no team mission in this book and hardly even a mission period.

I am just disappointed, this series had potential, but it lost it with this one. I am not sure if there will be any more, but I am sure that I don’t want to read them if there are.

Grade: D-

Summary:

An elite Para-Ops team, a wounded alpha werebeast bent on revenge, and a female vampire trying to save her adoptive dragon-shifter family.

Can they stop a group of rebel shape-shifters hoping to unleash every demon in hell?

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Other books in this series:

Ash’s review of Bedeviled (Dark Breed Series, Book 2) by Sable Grace
Paranormal Romance published by Avon 27 Dec 11

I think that this is one series that I am going to be giving up on. I dislike Kyana even more, and now Ryker looks like an idiot for loving her. The story bored me and I just wanted it to be over.

Kyana hasn’t changed a bit. She is still uncaring, stubborn, and selfish. She is unwilling to give anything more than her body to Ryker, right up until the end, and still then it’s more of a “we’ll see what happens.” He tells her he loves her and he wants more, and she uses sex to distract him. I’m honestly disgusted with him for letting her get away with it. Ryker is a good guy, and he could be a great hero, except his major flaw is loving Kyana. There isn’t a single thing I like about her, which is a problem since she is a main character.

The plot involving Haven being possessed by Cronus could work, if it’s done better and not dragged out. The whole book is Haven and Kyana fight, Kyana loses and Haven gets away or Haven tricks her, takes what she wants, and then gets away. It feels like we are running in a big circle. By the last third of the book, I was tired of it. I feel no emotion at Haven’s ordeal, and I don’t feel any from Kyana either. She tells us she has to save Haven, because they are like sisters, but we aren’t shown how much she cares. Kyana doesn’t appear to care about anything, so I didn’t care about anything.

I have hoped this series would turn into something really good, and I’m sad that I was wrong. It’s just not for me, and there are too many great books out there for me to struggle through the bad.

Grade: D

Summary:

She has done the unthinkable—turned her best friend into a dark breed: part Vampyre, Lychen and Witch . . .

Kyana thought only to save her friend’s life when she fed Haven her blood; instead, she created a monster. Now the woman she thought of as a sister is under the spell of an ancient, vengeful god, determined to set him free and wreak havoc on the mortal world . . . and only Kyana can stop her.

But time is running out. In just seven days, Kyana’s Vampyre and Lychen abilities will be gone and she’ll be completely transformed into the Goddess of the Hunt—and her blood ties to Haven will be severed. By her side is Ryker—ally, demigod, lover— who will sacrifice everything to keep Kyana safe . . . even the attraction that burns between them. Together they have one chance to save Haven from herself . . . to save humanity from hell on earth.

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C2’s review of Oracle’s Moon (Elder Races, Book 4) by Thea Harrison
Paranormal Romance published by Berkley 6 Mar 12

What happens when humans and witches clash with the Elder Races?  And what happens to those caught in the crossfire?  Thea Harrison’s latest Elder Races novel, Oracle’s Moon, shows us.

Oracle’s Moon picks up almost exactly where Serpent’s Kiss left off and a lot of events from that book are referenced throughout. So, really, you should read Serpent’s Kiss first.  Do it, faithful reader!  You’ll be glad you did.

Grace Andreas only recently inherited the Power of the Oracle and became Oracle of Louisville.  Her sister, Petra, was the previous Oracle, but after she and her husband were killed (and Grace severely injured) in a car accident, the Power transferred to Grace.  In addition to her new Power, Grace also has gained custody of her very young niece and nephew – plus she is still recuperating from her injuries.  Until recently, all Grace has been concerned with was college.

During the events at the end of Serpent’s Kiss, Grace attracted the attention of Khalil, one of the Demonkind and a Prince of the Djinn.  Khalil is a Powerful, ancient being.  Djinn are creatures of the air (?????) and do not even have a solid permanent form – instead they can take whatever form they like, depending on the situation.  Khalil has never been particularly interested in humans, with their short, small lives, but something about Grace and the small ones living with her intrigues him.

Djinn spend a lot of time gathering favors and making bargains with others – almost everything involves a bargain of some sort. At first the bargaining back and forth is fun but, soon enough, Grace finds it annoying and refuses to bargain anymore. Khalil is flabbergasted. LOL

As Grace tries to settle into her role as Oracle, suspicious things start happening – small, at first, and then increasingly odd.  As she and Khalil try to unravel things, a deadly conspiracy is uncovered…a conspiracy that affects not just Grace but the Elder Races and their relationship with humans, as well.  Will Grace and Khalil get to the bottom of things before everything falls apart?

Sometimes, after a strong start, a paranormal series will stall out…like it gets hemmed in by its own world-building.  That is not the case with Ms. Harrison’s Elder Races books.  I love this series.  The world becomes more familiar with each entry, but there is something new each time, as well.  With each book, we see the world from a different angle.  This time we learn more about the humans and witches – where they fall in the grand scheme of things and how they feel about their place in the world.

Grace is a lovely heroine – she is doing the best she can in a bad situation she had little preparation for and with very little support until Khalil comes along. Khalil’s help allows Grace to embrace her Power (which will play a significant role in later books, I suspect – very mysterious business, Grace’s Power) in ways she would not have been able to, otherwise.  And Khalil is an excellent hero.  It is so fun to watch him experience all the wackiness of the human world and fall in love with Grace (and the kids).  It isn’t that he becomes more human, exactly, but, over the course of the book, he definitely becomes more.

If you are looking for a fun read that brings together two very different people and has them take on the world around them, look no further.  Oracle’s Moon is for you!  And, really, faithful reader, if you haven’t read the rest of the series, you so should.

Grade: A

Summary:As a second daughter, Grace Andreas never had to worry about the intrigues of the Elder Races. But when her sister, Petra, and Petra’s husband are both killed, Grace inherits the Power and responsibilities of the Oracle of Louisville, as well as her sister’s two young children – neither of which she is prepared for.

Yet, she is not alone. Khalil, Demonkind and Djinn prince of House Marid – driven by his genuine caring for the children – has decided to make himself a part of the household both as their guardian and as an exasperating counterpoint to Grace’s impudence toward the Elder Races.

But when an attempt is made on Grace’s life, she realizes that Khalil is the only one who can protect her – and offer her more than a mortal man…

No excerpt available at time of review (website is updating).

Other books in the series:

Sandy M’s review of A SEAL in Wolf’s Clothing (Werewolf Series, Book 9) by Terry Spear
Paranormal Romance published by Sourcebooks Casablanca 6 Mar 12

It’s been a while since I’ve read a shifter story. When that happens, I figure it’s time to pick up a Terry Spear book. Time after time she delivers, giving paranormal fans plenty of wolves, plenty of action, plenty of mystery, and, of course, love and romance aplenty.

Meara is taking advantage of her brother’s absence. The pack alpha is on his honeymoon, so the time is right for Meara to do a little mate hunting. Taking care of the cabin rentals where their pack has relocated on the Oregon coast, she’s scheduled a number of alpha wolves to take some R&R or do a bit of business while she checks them out and they hopefully reciprocate. You have to give the woman props. She thinks ahead as well as on her feet. Her plans are interrupted just as the first guest arrives, and she is not a happy camper. Seems she’s traded one alpha wolf for another, the kind who like to tell her what to do all the damn time!

Knowing Hunter, his mission partner and Meara’s brother, would want him to take care of the impulsive she-wolf while he’s out of town, Finn – once a SEAL, always a SEAL – takes it upon himself to protect Meara when he learns of a threat against their team. It’s possible this unknown threat can get to Hunter through his loved ones, Meara being the first on the last after his wife. So Finn begins to set up cameras and listening devices in Meara’s cabin to keep tabs on her. And on the men he discovers she’s invited to her find-a-mate party. Keeping the woman under control is going to try his patience, he knows. But he’s quickly learning Meara deserves admiration and respect, and he’s determined to keep his distance.

However, things go wrong from the beginning. Once a dead body is found not too far away from Meara’s place, they learn the first visitor of the week is not who he says he is. So Finn knows he’s done the right thing by sticking close to Meara. Now he’s ready to drag her away to a safe house which offers more protection and will hopefully make his job easier. Getting Meara to agree is the only problem. She surprises him, though, and after only a little bit of grumbling and hassle, she docilely – well, as docile as Meara can be anyway – accompanies Finn to their destination.

What makes this book so much fun is watching Finn try so very hard to keep his hands off Meara. Of course, he doesn’t stand a chance. She riles him up something fierce, a state no other woman has caused in him Once she leaves her idea that Finn wouldn’t make a good mate behind, things really begin to pick up between them. Talk about sexy, sizzling, and sensual. Each time they come together, more barriers fall. Finn finds that perhaps settling down won’t be all that bad for a guy like him. Meara discovers having someone to pamper her and take care of her doesn’t make her weak and it feels oh-so-good.

One of the best things about Ms. Spear’s shifter stories is the actual shifting from human to wolf. She’s not stingy with these scenes and they’re always enjoyable. You can tell she’s done her research concerning wolves and packs. From Finn and Meara running through the forest to the intense fight scene near the end of the book, every one of these scenes is well done. The shifting is one of the major reasons I come back to her books again and again. Those alpha wolves are another.

Grade: A

Summary:

Meara Greymere is in charge of the cabin rentals on the rugged Oregon coastline, so her brother and his mate could take a delayed honeymoon. But while Hunter is away, the she-wolf intends to play—she just has to convince the right alpha male to rent one of the cabins, and she’ll take it from there. But when Finn Emerson arrives with every intention of pretending to be her lover, she’s not going to take this lying down. She knows he’ll tell her brother what she’s up to and put an end to her game.

Finn Emerson is a Navy SEAL, formerly one of Hunter Greymere’s team members, and now he’s trying to track down a gray wolf, who’s already made an attempt on one of their team member’s lives. Finn believes Hunter will be targeted next, only to discover Hunter is off with his mate on a honeymoon, and he fears Hunter’s sister is in grave danger. But the SEAL soon learns protecting the unpredictable sexy she-wolf is a mission and a half and protecting her isn’t all he wants to do.

Read an excerpt. (click Excerpt tab)

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Sandy M’s review of Rendezvous at Midnight by Lynne Connolly
Paranormal Romance published by Decadent 3 Apr 12

I don’t read many ghost stories. Either they don’t appeal to me or not that many come to my attention. When Lynne Connolly offered this novella, along with the idea of perhaps continuing on with a series, I like the concept, hope she goes with it, and got in on the ground floor.

Michael and Lisa work on a ghost hunting TV show together, she’s the narrator/host and he’s the psychic, also called a sensitive, who communicates with the spirits that are discovered. There’s been an attraction between them for a while, but because Lisa was involved with someone else until just recently, they’d never gotten together. That’s all changed now, and Michael and Lisa are looking forward to a weekend with each other — and a few ghosts who live on the restored ocean liner, the Gem of the Sea.

Once aboard, however, Michael discovers there’s anti-sensitive spies who are targeting Michael himself. Needing to eliminate Lisa as a suspect, he gently probes her mind, something she fears and despises. It scares her and also tells her Michael has no trust in her. I’m a little confused at this attitude of Lisa’s, though. The man talks to ghosts. Helps them cross over. We’re talking real paranormal here. But Lisa, for some reason, has a problem with anything beyond that. Of course, she does eventually understand and accept Michael’s powers, it’s just the initial discovery that jolts her. It’s her feelings for Michael that help her get over it.

What makes this particular event personal for Lisa is her mother. It’s her ghost who haunts the Gem of the Sea. She died when Lisa was very young, so Lisa never knew her mother and really has no connection to her spirit now. Lisa just needs to know the truth of what happened, not what someone was bribed to tell the world all those years ago. Poor Lisa gets another jolt when her mother takes control of Lisa, reliving her last day – all done with a twist you certainly don’t see coming, which is good because the anti-sensitive resolution, you kinda figure it out before all is revealed. Michael handles that jerk quite well.

Michael and Lisa are very likable characters, you care about them right off. There’s plenty of danger to keep the intensity high, and the paranormal covers several different elements other than psychics. Another confusion for me, however, along that line is in the book blurb that says Michael is a vampire. I really didn’t get that from the story. His father is a vampire, mother a sensitive also. Like father like son perhaps? What I come away with, though, is Michael is only a psychic and Lisa is not upset he’s a vamp.

But I think Ms. Connolly is on to something with a series, especially if she uses some of the same characters with Ghosts of Home, the company that produces the TV show. A great concept.

Grade: B

Summary:

When medium Michael Scott takes the assignment with the TV company “Ghosts at Home” to explore the old ocean liner Gem of the Sea, he does it with one aim in mind. Lisa Perez. Michael had wanted Lisa for a long time. She already knew about his ability to communicate with ghosts, but not his deepest, darkest secret. Would she object when she discovered he was the son of a vampire?

Lisa was desperate to discover why her mother died on Gem Of The Sea all those years ago. And she wanted Michael for his gift, but she also wanted him. With her revengeful ex and a malicious ghost onboard, Michael and Lisa might not survive the weekend.

If they want their passion to survive, they have to fight the living. And the dead.

Read an excerpt.

Ash’s review of That Old Black Magic (Living in Eden, Book 3) by Michelle Rowen
Paranormal Romance published by Berkley Sensation 06 Dec 11

The final book in the Living in Eden series, That Old Black Magic, wraps everything up in a nice neat bow.

I have enjoyed this series, and I like both Eden and Darrak. They are still trying to figure out a way to break both the spell and the curse that are threatening  their lives. Their romance is sweet and I love watching Darrek grow into a hero. I wish Eden is a better heroine for him, though. I think she doubts things for longer than she should have.

As for the other characters, the only one I really care about is Lucifer. I would love for him to get his own book. I feel like his story has been left unfinished. The rest of the cast turns back into background characters to me. The Malleus are typical bad guys pretending to be good. I think that whole storyline could have been left out completely. If we were just focused on Eden and Darrek, I think it would have been much better. Also, the whole black magic/white magic thing feels old. Eden and Darrek’s relationship is unique and I wish their world could have matched that.

At the end of That Old Black Magic, everyone gets their happily ever after. I can’t say there are really any surprises here. Everything happens pretty much as I expected it to. It works in some areas and bothers me in others. Enough seems to be left open that Michelle Rowen could go back and write more stories, and I really hope she does. I would love to see more of Lucifer and the angels.

Grade: C

Summary:

Reluctant witch Eden Riley knows that codependent relationships aren’t good, especially when you’re possessed by a sexy but troublemaking demon. Darrak’s physical form makes good girl Eden want to go bad, but the constant itch to use the soul-destroying black magic she’s recently acquired might force Eden to explore her dark side in an entirely different way.

And when her magic starts manifesting itself without conscious effort, both Eden’s life and the possibility of a future with Darrak are threatened-since only one of them might be able to survive this…

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Veena’s review of Fair Game (Alpha and Omega Series, Book 3) by Patricia Briggs
Paranormal Romance published by Ace 6 Mar 12

Fae, werewolves, witches, and vampires (not sure if they’re out) have revealed themselves to the human population of the world. It is now “Fair Game” for a serial killer to target werewolves. This urban fantasy by Patricia Briggs brings in Charles and Anna from the Alpha and Omega series of adventures as expert consultants to the FBI to help solve these murders.

Charles is second to Bran Cornick, Marrok (supreme alpha) over all the werewolf packs in North America. He is soul sick with guilt due to the number of wolves he has had to kill recently to enforce the pack laws. In order to give Charles some breathing room, he goes ostensibly as Anna’s bodyguard to help hunt the serial killer who is targeting werewolves.

Ably assisted by the local wolf alpha, the FBI, a Fae lord, and a witch, Charles and Anna work against the clock to find the latest victim, the fae lord’s daughter, who is in the hands of the serial killer. The suspense is masterful and the story moves at a very good clip toward a stunning conclusion.

Woven masterfully through the chain of events leading to solving the mystery and finding the serial killer is the relationship between Charles and Anna as they find their way toward dealing with the darkness in Charles and strengthening their relationship.

I believe this is one of Patricia Briggs’ best written books, certainly the best in the Alpha and Omega series. She delicately reminds readers of the links with the Mercy Thompson series by referring to events in her last book River Marked and also to the relationship between Bran, Adam, Mercedes, Charles and Anna. The world is certainly poised for great change at the end, so it will be interesting to see where she takes both series next. In the words of the author, “Changing times, as Coyote might say, lead to interesting adventures.”

Grade: A

Summary:

They say opposites attract. And in the case of werewolves Anna Latham and Charles Cornick, they mate. The son-and enforcer-of the leader of the North American werewolves, Charles is a dominant alpha. While Anna, an omega, has the rare ability to calm others of her kind.

Now that the werewolves have revealed themselves to humans, they can’t afford any bad publicity. Infractions that could have been overlooked in the past must now be punished, and the strain of doing his father’s dirty work is taking a toll on Charles.

Nevertheless, Charles and Anna are sent to Boston, when the FBI requests the pack’s help on a local serial killer case. They quickly realize that not only the last two victims were werewolves-all of them were. Someone is targeting their kind. And now Anna and Charles have put themselves right in the killer’s sights…

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Sandy M’s review of Deliver Me From Darkness (Paladin Warriors, Book 1) by Tes Hilaire
Paranormal Romance published by Sourcebooks Casablanca 7 Feb 12

My string of luck with debut authors is still going strong and healthy with Tes Hilaire’s new book. A fallen angel and the first Paladin female in hundreds of years are the perfect combination to keep you immersed in the pages of this book.

Roland was once one of God’s warriors, a Paladin with brothers who fought by his side. But nearly a hundred years ago he gave in to the lure of dark vampiric power, a time he regrets now for the loss of his soul and because he also saw the destruction of his family at the same time. His life is orderly and clean, just the way he likes it, but all that order is about to be disrupted by one small but very fiery and passionate woman.

Having heard all her life that vampires are evil, Karissa is at first quite frightened by Roland and tries to escape his well-protected home when Logan, Roland’s best friend and the Paladin who rescued her, leaves her alone with the vampire. Even when the creature leaves her be to sleep the day away, she tears his place apart trying to find a way out, all to no avail.

Though they come to a truce of sorts, Karissa opts to leave with Logan when he returns, knowing the man will protect her at all costs, just as her grandfather always told her. But Logan’s good intentions go awry when every Paladin male wants to mark Karissa as his own – there’s a huge deficit in the ratio of women to men in the bloodline and Karissa is seen as the chance to save them all. But even Logan’s family has secrets, as he discovers when he tries to mark Karissa to save her from the wave of Paladins headed her way.

Roland has been able to break the bond with his maker, Christos, but that vampire is now in cahoots with two other powerful and evil lords, with a plan in mind once they get their hands on Karissa and her blood. Roland failed to protect those he loved once before, he’s not about to let it happen again. Working once more with Valin, a brother with dark shifting powers and who prods Roland every chance he gets, they finally locate Karissa through her mating bond with Roland. But are they too late? Will Roland have to face his fear of failure again?

This is a story of good vs. evil, the choice made and lived with for that person, and there are several who have to face the music. Roland is more than the sum of his parts, as his former brothers discover. Even as Karissa discovers. As he himself discovers. At first he tries to push Karissa away, knowing she’s his mate, but he feels he’s not good enough for her, too dark for her light. When she realizes what she is to him, she wants all that it entails and she goes for it, pushing him to confront his feelings and her. He doesn’t want to hurt her or live without her, so he tries to keep his bloodlust and heart at bay. Doesn’t work. When they come together he’s as gentle as can be, despite his body and his darkness wanting more NOW. The other Paladins are just as honorable and sexy in their own way. I look forward to both Logan’s and Valin’s stories.

What a terrific start Ms. Hilaire has given readers at the beginning of her new series. If you’re into vampires, demons, and other otherworldly creatures, if you like your action fast and furious, if you want a hero to die for and a heroine he’ll die for, I think you should start here. This book and this series has it all.

Grade: B

Summary:

A stranger in the night…

He had once been a warrior of the Light, one of the revered Paladin. A protector. But now he lives in darkness, and the shadows are his sanctuary. Every day is a struggle to overcome the bloodlust. Especially the day Karissa shows up at his doorstep.

Comes knocking on the door…

She is light and bright and everything beautiful despite her scratches and torn clothes. Every creature of the night is after her. So is every male Paladin. Because Karissa is the last female of their kind. But she is his. He may not have a soul, but he can’t deny his heart.

Read an excerpt.

Veena’s review of Oracle’s Moon (Elder Races, Book 5) by Thea Harrison
Paranormal Romance published by Berkley 6 Mar 12

The Elder races – Wyr, Elves, Fae, Vampyres and Demon kind – are well known and assimilated if not always liked and accepted. Oracle’s Moon is the fourth book in Thea Harrison’s Elder Race series. It’s like a fairy story where the villains are destroyed and true love triumphs against all odds and there’s even an evil witch to vanquish.

Grace Andreas is an Oracle descended from the original Delphi Oracles. Grace’s life has been thrown into turmoil after she lost her sister and brother-in-law in an accident in which she too was badly injured. Grace is struggling against huge odds, recovering from an accident that took the life of her sister and brother-in-law, caring for her orphaned niece and nephew, coming to terms with her newly inherited power of the Oracle and with little money or resources to help her cope.

Her path unexpectedly crosses with Khalil, a high ranking Djinn, who escorts Vampyre Queen Carling and her mate, the Wyr sentinel Rune, toward the end of Serpent’s Kiss to her house in search of a prophecy. Khalil is intrigued and protective of the fragile human children while he is quite removed from the daily realities of Grace’s life. As Grace comes into her own and takes control of her powers, Khalil starts to move from curiosity to fascination to love.

While the love story proceeds along a relatively smooth path, there are twists and plots that keep the story interesting. Characters from previous books pop in and out. I would recommend that you read the previous books, if possible, before reading this one, but most particularly Serpent’s Kiss, since this almost seems like a thread that started in that book and lightly crosses over and touches the characters and continues their story as well. I find the book refreshing; an old-fashioned love story with paranormal tones.

Grade: B+

Summary:

As a second daughter, Grace Andreas never had to worry about the intrigues of the Elder Races. But when her sister, Petra, and Petra’s husband are both killed, Grace inherits the Power and responsibilities of the Oracle of Louisville, as well as her sister’s two young children – neither of which she is prepared for.

Yet, she is not alone. Khalil, Demonkind and Djinn prince of House Marid – driven by his genuine caring for the children – has decided to make himself a part of the household both as their guardian and as an exasperating counterpoint to Grace’s impudence toward the Elder Races.

But when an attempt is made on Grace’s life, she realizes that Khalil is the only one who can protect her – and offer her more than a mortal man…

No excerpt available.

Other books in this series:

C2’s review of Born to Darkness (Fighting Destiny, Book 1) by Suzanne Brockmann
Paranormal romantic suspense released by Ballantine 20 Mar 12

When a bestselling author decides to go in a new direction, you never know what might happen.  So when Suzanne Brockmann announced she would be taking a break from her popular Troubleshooters, Inc. series to try something new – paranormal! futuristic! – I wasn’t sure about the whole business (especially since I was less than pleased with the last Troubleshooters book.  Yes, I’m still bitter…SO?).  Still, I was intrigued enough to check out the new book (and beginning of a new series), Born of Darkness.  Aren’t you curious, faithful reader??  Stick with me…

First, the setting, Boston in the near future – about 30 years or so from now.  Things in the world are not good.  There is a severe recession.  Jobs are hard to find, homeless rates are high, healthcare is difficult (birth control is banned in 48 states!), and the government is a corporate entity.  Nothing so hard to believe, actually.  In this future, there are people who are able to access more than the usual fraction of their brain’s abilities – aka Greater-Thans.  The extra brain-power can reveal itself in all sorts of interesting talents – telepathy, telekinesis, and all sort of other things.  There is also a new drug being produced (street name: Destiny) by the evil (though unimaginatively named) Organization.  Destiny mimics the natural talents Greater-Thans have.  It is made from a compound found in the blood of Greater-Thans – usually young girls who are taken and held in “farms” until they are no longer of use.  Destiny is really, really expensive, but it can reverse aging, heal sicknesses and all sorts of good things. BUT it is instantly addictive and can lead to spontaneous insanity (aka jokering).  Combine the crazy with super powers and you’ve got a bad, bad situation.

Our hero – Shane Laughlin, a former Navy SEAL (what?? just because it’s a new series doesn’t mean we don’t still get SEALs!).  Shane was recently dishonorably discharged (and blacklisted) after disobeying an order on a mission.  He has been contacted by the Obermeier Institute – a facility that finds and trains Greater-Thans – because he is a Potential.  That means Shane’s brain is slightly more integrated than most people’s and he could, with training, become a Greater-Than.  Since Shane doesn’t have a job and the few places that are hiring won’t hire someone blacklisted, he decides to take OI up on their offer.  The night before he enters the program he goes out for one last hook-up and meets…

Our heroine – Dr. Michelle (Mac) Mackenzie, a pretty powerful Greater-Than.  Mac’s extra powers include super-charisma (she can target someone and wrap them around her little finger…handy, if you really need something or they are otherwise out to get you) and super-fast healing.  Mac has found that the super-healing is sped up even more when she has sex.  Since during an earlier encounter with a joker, she hurt her ankle and was otherwise banged up, Mac needs some companionship. When she goes to visit her boyfriend (read: boy toy), she discovers he’s been cheating on her and is gone.  What’s a super gal gonna do??  Mac heads off to a nearby bar and spies a hot guy across the room.  That’s our pal, Shane.  They instantly have a connection and go back to her place.  During their first encounter, not only are Mac’s injuries completely healed, the entire neighborhood goes dark in one big power surge.  Heh.  However, when Mac hears that Shane is reporting to OI in the morning, she backs way off and tells him they can never see each other again, but she doesn’t say why.

In the meantime, back at OI we meet the other major players in the book – Dr. Joseph Bach, uber-powerful and the head of the Institute.  Dr. Bach is in charge of training the Greater-Thans.  One of his tenets to increase integration and increase power is celibacy…a tenet Mac so doesn’t follow – but Dr. Stephen Diaz does. When Stephen returns to OI after the joker incident, he accidentally touches Dr. Elliot Zerkowski and Elliot is instantly plunged into Stephen’s (lusty, amorous) thoughts.  Unbeknownst to Elliot, Stephen has had a crush on him for ages.  Elliot wonders if a romantic connection between a Greater-Than and a Potential or even an average person – the right person – can noticeably increase the Greater-Than’s power. A very interesting theory… Stephen and Elliot’s relationship is sub-plot number one.

Our second sub-plot involves Dr. Bach and Anna Taylor.  Her thirteen year-old sister, Nika, has been kidnapped by The Organization.  The researchers at OI have just found out she’s a strong Potential, but before they can find her and get her into the Institute, The Organization’s thugs find and grab her.  Since family member often are also grabbed, either for leverage or to see if they also have hidden potential, Anna comes to OI for safety and to help find Nika.  Dr. Bach is drawn to her, but, of course, has had years and years of resisting such impulses…Anna?  Not so much.

With Ms. Brockmann, we are pretty much guaranteed a few things – several plots interwoven throughout the book, characters that feel and sound very much like real people and lots of action.  Certainly, Born of Darkness doesn’t disappoint on any of those.  I usually find her male characters much more likeable than her female characters and that is again true in this book – it isn’t that I think her women are unlikeable…her guys are just so excellent, it’s hard for the ladies to compete.  :-)  Mac is a tough chick.  She has had a difficult life and her powers have made her wary.  Shane, for all his Navy SEAL-ness, seems much more open and optimistic…generally a happy dude.  Same goes for Elliot – basically a happy dedicated doctor dude.  And Steven and Dr. Bach are mostly zen.  Even Anna seems mostly content with her less than excellent life, bumps and all…at least, before all the bad stuff starts happening.

Another good thing, even though this is the first book of a series, there iss not a lot of sequel baiting.  It is easy to see the possibilities of where the series could go, but I could not even guess who might “star” in the next book.  It could be Dr. Bach and Anna, but Ms. Brockmann does like to make her couples work for their happy endings and I suspect she might drag their storyline out a bit.  That’s just a guess, though.

I know this review is miles long (sorry, faithful reader!) and I really only skimmed the basics of the plots.  I’m very pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this book.  Obviously, it stands alone.  Is it worth hardcover price?  I say yes (you know, the discounted HC prices usually aren’t too bad).  However, if you’re on the fence about trying a new series in hardcover – and I totally wonder what the publisher was thinking…I’m still not sure it was the best choice – there is an e-novella prequel that will give you a feel for the world she’s building and introduce you to Shane.  It is a bargain at 99 cents!

If you like dystopian settings and the kind of paranormal where there aren’t any vampires or other assorted creatures – the kind of world that feels genuinely possible in the not so distant future – I encourage you to try this book.  It starts off with a bang and doesn’t slow down.  And you get not one but two happy endings.  Yay!

Grade: A+

Summary:

Dishonorably discharged, former Navy SEAL Shane Laughlin is down to his last ten bucks when he finally finds work as a test subject at the Obermeyer Institute, a little-known and believed-to-be-fringe scientific research facility. When he enters the OI compound, he is plunged into a strange world where seemingly mild-mannered scientists—including women half his size—can kick his highly skilled ass.

Shane soon discovers that there are certain individuals who possess the unique ability to access untapped regions of the brain with extraordinary results—including telekinesis, super strength, and reversal of the aging process. Known as “Greater-Thans,” this rare breed is recruited by OI, where they are rigorously trained using ancient techniques to cultivate their powers and wield them responsibly.

But in the depths of America’s second Great Depression, where the divide between the haves and the have-nots has grown even wider, those who are rich—and reckless—enough have a quick, seductive alternative: Destiny, a highly addictive designer drug that can make anyone a Greater-Than, with the power of eternal youth. The sinister cartel known as The Organization has begun mass-producing Destiny, and the demand is epidemic. But few realize the drug’s true danger, and fewer still know the dirty secret of Destiny’s crucial ingredient.

Michelle “Mac” Mackenzie knows the ugly truth. And as one of the Obermeyer Institute’s crack team of operatives, she’s determined to end the scourge of Destiny. But her kick-ass attitude gets knocked for a loop when she finds that one of the new test subjects is none other than Shane, the same smoldering stranger who just rocked her world in a one-night stand. Although Shane isn’t a Greater-Than like Mac, as an ex-SEAL, he’s got talents of his own. But Mac’s got powerful reasons to keep her distance from him—and reasons that are just as strong to want him close. She’s used to risking her life, but now, in the midst of the ultimate war on drugs, she must face sacrificing her heart.

Read an excerpt.

Other books in the series:

LynneC’s review of Chosen By Blood (Para-Ops Series, Book 1) by Virna DePaul
Paranormal Romance published by Berkley 3 May 11

What a relief to read a paranormal romance that is peopled, for the most part, by adults! I must be on a roll, because the last paranormal I read was the marvellous Nightborn. While Chosen by Blood isn’t quite in that category, I do have hopes for the author and that her paranormal world can coalesce into something as vibrant as the Viehl.

It’s a paranormal world peopled by different kinds of Others, as she refers to them. Some are interesting, such as the wraiths, dead people with no knowledge of what they were before they died and no way of knowing how they got to that state, and familiar creatures like vampires, vamps in this world, and werebeasts.

Knox Devereaux is a vamp. In fact, he leads his clan, but he’s the offspring of a human and a vamp, so he’s not as affected by the loss of pure blood as the rest of his clan. He’s been in love with Felice since before the story starts, although his wife only died the year before. Since he was faithful, and Knox and Felice haven’t consummated their relationship, I could roll with that. No cheating involved, just a lot of yearning.

Felice is a mortal, an agent specialising in hostage situations. She loves Knox but knows he is immortal and bound to marry another vamp, because the vamp race is dying. During the recent war between Others and mortals, a vaccine was developed that prevented blood-giving nourishment to vamps, and so they are starving.

Team Red of Others, a para-ops group, is formed with the objective of uncovering the antidote to the vaccine. At times I wasn’t clear where the plot was going—there are so many twists and turns, I sometimes got a bit lost, especially toward the end.

Unfortunately, toward the end the author had to start including “Only on a Tuesday” rules. This happens when the paranormal beings are so powerful that they can overcome any obstacle, except—only on a Tuesday. If these things aren’t built into the world and the characters early on, it’s obvious when it’s introduced as a limiter rather than a natural progression. If the series continues, these difficulties need to be sorted out.

There are also too many “kitchen table” scenes, places where the characters talk about what they’ve just done and what they’re going to do next. They really need to be cut down a bit.

No matter, because for me, the characters matter more than the plot, and the characters in this book are intriguing and led me to read on.

The sex is hot, but a little pedestrian, if you know what I mean. By the time of their first consummation, Felice and Knox have been fancying each other for ten years, and Knox is already clear that he loves her. While it’s a turn-on to have a hot, powerful man in love with you, I like to read about what led up to that and why and how. That’s why I tend to avoid the “fated mates” trope. In a romance, sometimes it feels like cheating. I want to see their courtship. That’s where Nalini Singh excels, and even in the first Psy-Changeling book, she sets up the romance and we, the reader, watch it build. We learn what great characters the two protagonists are and eventually understand why they belong together.

DePaul effectively skips this part and plunges into the consummation. The relationship doesn’t move forward in the story, and most of the threats to the relationship come from outside, so the idea of Knox marrying someone else and yet devoting his life to Felicia is a welcome one. It is, apparently, usual for vampires to have an “open” relationship, but Felicia is a mortal, and she wants none of it. One of the most effective parts of the story is when she is considering what it would mean and deciding she can’t do it. But until Knox marries, she’s willing to sleep with him.

Although the book isn’t without its faults, I think the characters and setup are interesting, and I’d like to read more para-ops stories.

Grade: B-

(See Ash’s review here.)

Summary:

Leader of an Otherborn clan, half-breed vampire Knox Devereaux would do anything to find a cure for the anti-vamp vaccine slowly starving his people into extinction. When the FBI contacts him about leading a team of hand-selected Others on a mission to reclaim the stolen antidote, Knox accepts. His new assignment places him in direct contact with Special Agent Felicia Locke, the beautiful human he’s craved since their very first meeting.

Read an excerpt.

Ash’s review of Alpha Instinct (Moon Shifter Series, Book 1) by Kate Reus
Paranormal Romance published by Signet Eclipse 07 Feb 12

I have been in a reading slump for awhile now, but after I picked this book up, I couldn’t put it down. It is by no means perfect, but I got sucked into the story anyway.

I definitely enjoyed Alpha Instinct; however, after reading it and thinking about it, there are a few things that keep this story from being a higher grade. Ana and Connor have a past. He left her life without even a goodbye. She hasn’t gotten over that in the past fifty years. Connor had a good reason to leave, but, of course, he won’t tell her why. He doesn’t actually tell her much of anything, and even when she calls him out on it, it goes nowhere. One of my least favorite things is a heroine who says she has a backbone, but as soon as she sees his rock-hard abs, she gives into anything. Sadly, Ana is like that. I never get a sense of her as a person. I also feel like none of their conflicts with each other are really solved. Connor is such a strong character that next to him, Ana kind of gets lost.

She isn’t the only one either. Aside from Connor’s brother, Liam, I don’t really know who any of the other characters are. There is a lot that is going on, and it seems like building the other characters gets left out. There are numerous bad guys, and even when one dies another anonymous bad guy shows up. I guess it is building the story for future books, but it’s too much. None of the three, yes three, bad guy story lines  gets enough page time to really turn them into believable villains.

Lastly, I never do get a clear picture of the world. There are shifters, wolf, cat, and bear. Then there are suddenly vampires, and later on fairies are mentioned. We keep getting told about the world they live in but are never shown any of it. Anything behind the ranch they live on is fuzzy to me.

So, while not the best paranormal romance I’ve read, I like it immensely and I can’t wait for Liam’s book in September. Connor and Liam are strong enough and great enough the carry the book. I only hope that everything else is just as strong in the next one.

Grade: C+

Summary:

Fear has a scent. So does desire…

Ana Cordona has been a strong leader for the lupine shifters who survived after all the males and most of the females in her pack were mysteriously poisoned. As tough as she is, with no Alpha male, the pack is vulnerable to the devious shifter Taggart, who wants to claim both their ranch and Ana as his own. When Connor Armstrong comes back into her life, promising protection, it’s almost enough to make Ana forget how he walked out on her before–and reluctantly accept his offer to mate.

The minute Connor sees Ana again, it reawakens a raw hunger. He must have her for his bondmate–his wolf cries out for it. But his human side knows he must proceed with caution because of their complicated past. If he is to truly have her body and soul, he must go beyond his burning desire and win back her heart. Whatever it takes, he is determined not to leave her side again.

But Taggart and his rival pack are not their only enemies. A human element in town is targeting shifters. Their plan not only threatens Ana and Connor’s future, but the lives of the entire pack…

Read an excerpt.

Veena’s review of Bridge of Dreams (Ephemera, Book 3) by Anne Bishop
Paranormal Romance published by ROC 6 Mar 12

Epic battles between Good (Light) versus Evil (Dark) and the fundamental knowledge that light cannot exist without the dark to reflect it is the stuff that fantasy novels are woven from. In Bridge of Dreams, Anne Bishop continues Lee’s journey from where she left off in Belladonna, starts Danyal’s journey from the introduction in The Voice and brings in Sholleh, Zeela a Zhahar and a host of other supporting characters that will hopefully feature in stories for the future.

Lee is Glorianna Belladonna’s brother and is feeling left out of her life as she deals with the aftermath of defeating the darkness that was the “eater of the world.” Lee’s resentment and jealousy starts to create a distance between his sister and friends and other family. “Be careful what you wish for, it might come true” is never truer when heart’s wishes lead Lee into darkness and pain.

Danyal is a Shaman, or a spirit guide, whose readiness and willingness to open his heart and mind to Lee’s stories about landscapers and bridges creating opportunities and choices for him may have far-reaching consequences.

Sholleh Zeela a Zhahar is a tryad of three aspects that share a single core. They are a blend of light and dark with fears, wishes, dreams, honor, and duty. This is as much their journey as Lee and Danyal’s. Zhahar finds a kindred soul in Lee and a level of acceptance which she has never before received outside her people. Her choices and wishes will create interesting opportunities for her tryad as well as for Lee.

Anne Bishop weaves together the classic battle for supremacy between dark and light, introducing new characters, revisiting old characters and places that you’ve visited in the previous books. It’s fun to see changes that have resulted in old places from choices the people in them have made. In order to fully enjoy the story, it is important to have read the previous books in the series, most particularly the recently released short story, The Voice. Ms. Bishop’s imagination calls to my mind and heart and I enjoyed traveling in her world with her characters for the duration of the book. I look forward to more stories in this world.

Grade: A

Summary:

When wizards threaten Glorianna Belladonna and her work to keep Ephemera balanced, her brother Lee sacrifices himself in order to save her—and ends up an Asylum inmate in the city of Vision, far away from all he knows.

At the same time, a darkness is spreading through Vision—a darkness that hides its nature from the Shamans who tend the city and its people. Danyal, one of the Shamans, oversees the Asylum. A man whose heart is searching for its own dreams, he is intrigued by Lee’s ravings about Bridges and Landscapers and wizards. With the help of Zhahar, a Handler with her own dark secrets, Lee’s body and mind improve, and his words begin to make a terrible kind of sense—giving Danyal and Zhahar a glimpse of a world unlike anything they have seen.

As Danyal, Lee, and Zhahar work together to uncover the danger threatening Vision, they will be forced to look beyond themselves—and within themselves—to discover who they are…and how dangerous they can be.

Read an excerpt.

Other books in this series:

Sandy M’s review of Lord of Illusion (Elven Lords, Book 3) by Kathryne Kennedy
Paranormal Romance published by Sourcebooks Casablanca 7 Feb 12

Do you have those authors you love who sweep you into time to the Scottish Highlands or keep you biting your fingernails well into the night after pages of gripping suspense or make you wish you’d been born in London during the Regency era to attend glittering balls or any other number of romance scenarios when you read? I know you do. I hope you’ll add Kathryne Kennedy to that list, because she’s one of the best when it comes to magical paranormal romance. Glamor and glitter have nothing on this author’s imagination.

Her Georgian historical romances have given England a whole new look with evil Elven Lords who escaped from Elfhame to find entertainment from and power over the English people. The seven sovereignties of these lords include Dewhame, Firehame, Dreamhame, Terrahame, Verdanthame, Stonehame, and Bladehame – all boasting powers with the elements from each sovereignty. In this latest book we get a look at the wonders – and evils – of Dreamhame – illusions as real as can be dance around, become menacing, and can even kill. The Rebellion to send these lords back to Elfhame is closer to its goal, and now their success rests with Lord Drystan Hawkes, one of a number of half-breeds who pull together to triumph over magic to finally lead normal lives.

Drystan is a bookish young man, pouring over old records and texts to find the key to unlock the door to Elfhame to banish the lords. The few scepters the Rebellion has been able to steal from their respective sovereignties now talk to him on a regular basis, but at least now he knows he’s not possessed by the devil as other youngsters believed when Drystan would be overcome by the voices. He’s finally found the woman who bears the mark of the white witch who actually witnessed the lords’ arrival in England. Dreaming of her has only made him want her more, to save her, and to love her if she’ll allow. On the journey to Dreamhame, Drystan tries to harness his magic to aid in his upcoming fight, but at best he can conjure the most basic of illusions.

Having been a slave nearly her entire life, Camille Ashton has managed to rise above her station twice, to enjoy the accoutrements she’d never know otherwise, only to be slung back into the hell of whippings and rape along with forced service to those of the court. She now plans to make her escape, no matter how slim the chances of her making it. Her life is about to change in a big way, but she has no idea it’s headed in a direction that will save lives. It takes Lord Hawkes rescuing her from soldiers and his subsequent secrets to make her believe those changes will be for the better.

The romance between Drystan and Camille is absolutely beautiful. He’s known for so long she’s the woman for him and he vows to earn her love and her trust. But trust is something so very difficult for Camille to give. As she gets to know Drystan better, though, she realizes there will never be another man who she can trust more. Their love blossoms in an Elven garden alive with beauty, music, and danger and Drystan’s illusions that surround them in worlds all their own, but then they must face storms that will whirl them into crisis after crisis in their efforts to save England.

The scenes in the second half of this book when the Rebellion face the Elven Lords over the unlocking of the door to Elfhame are some of the best in the book. They’re action packed with dragons and the magic from each sovereignty being given center stage as the battle rages. Both Drystan and Camille have come into their own, finding out what they’re made of and how they fit into this desperate fight for freedom. We also get to catch up with previous characters, and my favorite, the Fire Lord, has had a rough time of it, and things only get worse before they get better. It’s nice to see him smile, though.

As usual, Ms. Kennedy delivers in a huge way with her magical world of this series. Her characters are strong but vulnerable, and watching them grow, even when they don’t seemingly need to, is a buildup that culminates in characters never imagined. No matter what this authors does in the future, I will be in line for every book I can get my hands on. I won’t miss any of Ms. Kennedy’s magic.

Grade: A

Summary:

He’ll do anything to save her…

Rebel Lord Drystan Hawkes dreams of fighting for England’s freedom. He gets his chance when he finds a clue to opening the magic portal to Elfhame, and he must race to find the slave girl who holds the key to the mystery. But even as Drystan rescues Camille Ashton from Dreamhame Palace, it becomes unclear exactly who is saving whom.

For the fate of humankind lies with Camille…

Enslaved for years in a realm where illusion and glamour reign, Camille has learned to trust nothing and no one. But she’s truly spellbound when she meets Drystan–a man different from any she’s ever known, and the force of their passion may yet be strong enough to banish the Elven Lords from this world forever.

Read an excerpt. (click Excerpt tab)

Other books in this series:

Sandy M’s review of Fever (Phoenix Rising Series, Book 1) by Joan Swan
Romantic Suspense published by Brava 28 Feb 12

I just love it when a debut author hits it out of the park. Joan Swan has done that and then some. She’s given readers an intense and suspenseful story infused with a romance that grows as secrets are revealed, all with an underlying paranormal element that gives the Phoenix Rising series its base, on which Ms. Swan has built exciting characters and storylines.

Alyssa Foster has worked hard to keep her medical career on an upward track, culminating in a promotion she’s ready to knock out the competition for. She’s on overload and tonight, because they’re short staffed, she’s taking care of prisoners from San Quentin. Two inmates are brought in, and what she gets for ogling a handsome man with a rock-hard bod is danger and fear when they force her from the hospital and on the wildest ride of her life that will change her forever.

Not willing to give up a chance at freedom after years of incarceration for crimes he didn’t commit, Teague Creek plots to take a hostage central to his plans to get back to the one girl who means everything to him. But plans have a way of going wrong, and things definitely go wrong for Teague. The woman he grabs has more backbone than any female he’s ever met. Alyssa gives him trouble from the beginning. His partner in crime is also trouble, but Teague needs him for the time being. And the guy is slime to the core. He’s a racist who acts on his ignorance. Some readers may not like the slurs this jerk spews, but it’s real and honest, and you know how much fun it can be when characters like that meet their destiny. Don’t let that put you off this book, because you’ll be missing out on a terrific read. Then Teague finds out he has the wrong hostage. What the hell is he supposed to do now?

But as Alyssa learns Teague’s story, as she sees the gentleness in him, the love and protection he has for those he cares about, her perception of him goes through a pivotal change. She also sees his regret at how he’s treated her during this ordeal. As all of the people involved with Teague’s case begin to emerge and the stakes for them both climb higher, Alyssa knows there’s no use denying what she feels for him any longer. And their love scenes sizzle and steam like you wouldn’t believe. Especially since it’s been so long for Teague, thinking he’d never touch a woman again. Amid all of this Alyssa adds her expertise to what he’s accumulated concerning the case, hoping to help him clear his name, but Teague is resigned to the fact that he’ll never have a normal life again.

There are a number of players involved in the entire story, but Ms. Swan does an excellent job at keeping them straight for the reader, never confusing you with the intricacies of the mystery. Teague is a wonderful hero. His softer side is revealed little by little, and you love him more each time you glimpse his internal emotion, and never do you question his masculinity. Alyssa is the perfect heroine for me. She’s sharp and stands up for herself, even against a convict, but she also shows fear and anxiety where it’s needed. She’s never TSTL and not too much of a kick-ass heroine to make her hard and standoffish.

We also meet Luke, Teague’s best friend, in this story. The paranormal ability Teague possesses was caused by a warehouse fire fought in his former life as a firefighter. We find Luke was also affected, though his ability is slightly different from Teague’s, and the mystery behind it all is not revealed here but will continue on in Luke’s book, Blaze, which will hit the shelves in October of this year.

What an all-consuming, thrilling, and passionate first book from Joan Swan. It’s action packed, the pace never slows down, and the romance is gradual and definitely satisfying. The promise this story gives to the entire series, however many books there may be, is never ending, so I hope there’s plenty of books in store for us. There aren’t many first-time published authors who would go on my keeper shelf, but Ms. Swan is definitely the exception to that rule. I have a feeling she’s going to be an exception to a lot of the rules out there. Look out, Romanceland!

Grade: A+

Summary:

Dr. Alyssa Foster will admit to a bad boy fetish…

But when she finds herself face to face with a convicted murderer with a ripped body, a determination for freedom and an eye on her as his get out of jail free card, Alyssa knows she’s in deep trouble…. Not just because Teague Creek is a prisoner desperate for freedom, but because his every touch makes her desperate for more.

A man with a life sentence has nothing to lose…

Teague Creek has one shot at freedom, but his plan to escape with a hostage develops a fatal flaw: Alyssa. On the run from both the law and deadly undercover operatives who know of his strange abilities, he needs to avoid trouble, but every heated kiss tells him the fire between them could be just as devastating as the flames that changed him forever.

Read an excerpt.

Other books in this series:

Blaze – October 2012

LynneC’s review of Darker After Midnight (Midnight Breed, Book 10) by Lara Adrian
Paranormal Romance published by Delacourte Press 24 Jan 11

I wanted this book because it’s Sterling Chase’s book, but while the first part keeps the reader on the edge of her seat, the second half descends into a big wtfkery, as Adrian sets the scene for what will probably be a new series. There will be spoilers in this review, however I’ll mark them for you, but the first part won’t have spoilers as such. However, we know certain things, and I don’t really consider them spoilers, such as this is a romance, so it has a HEA.

Sterling Chase is the hyper-controlled Breed male who joined the Order after giving up the Agency. Some of the best parts of this book are when Chase returns to his old Darkhaven and muses about his previous life, what he wanted and how he’d been mistaken. We actually get insights into his character and what makes him tick. But other parts of Chase’s character aren’t carried through properly. We know at the end of the last book that he has succumbed to bloodlust and so he’s doomed. He has to go cold turkey, or maybe he doesn’t, maybe he can just fight it. Bloodlust is described as an addiction, but Chase doesn’t behave like an addict. For one thing, he falls in love and puts that person above his addiction. Addicts don’t do that. It weakened that part of Chase’s character. And (spoiler) the resolution. What resolution? We just see lurve beating all, we don’t see him kicking his habit. It’s an important part of Chase’s character, until it stops being a part of his character. Until it’s not needed anymore to move the story forward. I want more about Chase and less about the badass villain.

Dragos has been the villain through the whole series. He has never been more than two-dimensional, and here he doesn’t disappoint in that respect. He’s a megalomaniac. While other megalomaniacs had quirks (Blofelt had a cat, Goldfinger had a third nipple), Dragos doesn’t even have that. He just wants to rule the world and is prepared to create chaos while he does so. Like a spoiled child wanting a toy, he doesn’t really know why he wants it or what he’ll do with it once he gets it.

As usual, we get destruction and mayhem, but some of the story threads lead nowhere and others come out of the blue. (spoiler alert). Atlantis? Really? And when Dragos dies, it’s over so fast and so easily, that you wonder why they bothered waiting so long. Dragos’s master plan is so ridiculously simple, I don’t know why he didn’t do it earlier, before the Order had a chance to fight him.

The heroine of this book is Tavia, who is more than she thinks she is at the start. And here’s another break with the rest of the rules of the series. I feel kind of cheated when I discovered what Tavia is, because, although the explanation is plausible, it negates some of the other earlier books. Tavia starts the book as an interesting character in an interesting job, but that dissipates as, before our eyes, she turns into a Mary Sue. Everybody loves her, except the villain, who wants her, and she makes everything all right. She cures addiction, she fights, she Saves The Day, and we are meant to believe that where a group of experienced warriors fail, a scheme that the aforesaid Blofelt could have spotted with one eye closed would succeed? At the end, she does something so stupid that I lost respect or interest for her.

Originality, this book has none. I don’t mind that so much as some readers. For instance, this series is about a bunch of otherworldly, vampiric badass warriors who all live together in a great big house and find their mates. Yep, definitely been there before, again and again for that matter, but the women are more proactive and interesting, and the writing is less simplistic than others in similar vein. What’s more, the characters, especially in the first three books, are far more involving, less ciphers, with motivations that make sense and story arcs that go somewhere. For me, the series started to fall apart when she turned Andreas Reichen into a totally different character for Ashes of Midnight, but I kept reading, hoping the series would turn. At some points, it did, but this last book is one of the weakest in the series, which is a real shame, as I loved Chase in the earlier books and I wanted to read about him, not some weird outer-space-meets-mythology mashup.

This story starts really well and I couldn’t stop reading, but at a certain point, it changed, and I just wanted to get to the end. Then I wish I hadn’t. Here followeth spoilers, but I’ll try not to make it too bad.

At one point toward the end, I groaned aloud. My daughter, who was in the same room, asked me what was wrong, and I said one word. “Atlantis.” She hasn’t read this series, didn’t know what I was reading, but she groaned, too. Oh dear. It’s like having a joker in the pack or playing a black two and then saying, “Oh, by the way, black twos are wild.” It came out of nowhere and it didn’t work. For that matter, the whole interpretation of dreams subplot didn’t work for me. I was tempted to skip, but I read, hoping it would come together at the end, but it didn’t.

The end of the book is one big Harlequin Presents ending. Couples cuddling and babies. Omg the babies! Sweet as sugar.

And the speech to the world? Absolutely unbelievable. I mean I didn’t believe it. It’s like a Godzilla film, with people rushing around screaming and school buses falling off high bridges, and the everything is all right, and “We’ll build a new world together.” Nu-uh. Not for this romance reader.

The book is a bit like a torn sock. All nicely knitted and working toward something interesting, and then lots of threads and tangles and an ending that doesn’t make sense.

Adrian has obviously set up a new series here, one that reads far more like urban fantasy, but I’m a romance reader. I want characters, their dilemmas and how they overcome them, drawing on resources inside themselves. I don’t want plot-heavy stories with characters who do as they are told. So this is where we part company, but the first three books of this series remain firmly on my keeper shelf.

Grade: C

Summary:

The climactic novel in Lara Adrian’s New York Times bestselling Midnight Breed series–and her hardcover debut–Darker After Midnight invites readers to enter a thrillingly sensual world where danger meets desire.

Read an excerpt.

Other books in this series:

C2’s review of Lothaire (Immortals After Dark, Book 10) by Kresley Cole
Paranormal Romance published by Gallery Books 10 Jan 12

In a long-running series, there are always a couple of characters whose books are especially anticipated. However, when said book actually arrives, it’s a chancy thing…will it live up to expectations? What if it goes completely in the wrong (from the reader’s viewpoint) direction? Kresley Cole’s latest release in her Immortals After Dark series finally gives readers Lothaire’s story. You’re curious now, aren’t you, faithful reader? Oh, there might be spoilers here, yo?

Lothaire, the Enemy of Old, has been a force throughout the IAD series. Sometimes he helps, sometimes he hinders…whatever suits his mysterious (until now) ultimate goal. Finally, Lothaire is ready to claim a key piece needed to attain his goal – his Bride. Like all vampires, Lothaire searched for ages to find his Bride – the one woman that allows him to once again walk among the living. A vampire’s Bride makes his heart start beating (literally). Lothaire is an ancient being and is steps from madness…his hold on reality is getting slippery, but time with his Bride can soothe him.

Lothaire’s Bride is unique, of course. At first he thought she was plain Elizabeth (Ellie Ann) Peirce, native of West Virginia – a human, of all things! Lothaire knew fate would never be so cruel as to pair him with such a lowly creature (Lothaire’s ego is…healthy). Then he discovered that Elizabeth had been inhabited by Saroya the Soul Reaper, goddess of death and blood (and the Vampire Horde’s ancient diety – suddenly all things became clear.) With Saroya by his side, he will be able to claim the Horde (vampires who drink blood straight from the source) throne and the throne of his mother’s people, the Dacians. First, though, he must find a way to get rid of Elizabeth’s spirit so Saroya can keep the body.

Until Saroya has full control of Elizabeth’s body, she will not consummate any sort of relationship with Lothaire – and won’t even stay present (she fades into a sleep-like state). So, as you might imagine, Lothaire is inspired to find a way to get rid of Elizabeth quickly. However, these things take time and he is forced to spend some of that time with Elizabeth. As he gets to know her, he begins to wonder if it might be that Saroya isn’t his Bride…what if he is really meant to be with Elizabeth?

Elizabeth, in the meantime, has suffered all sorts of horrors due to Saroya’s possession – she’s the Soul Reaper, remember. And she really, really enjoys reaping. Thanks to Saroya’s escapes, Elizabeth ends up convicted of multiple murders and is on death row, seconds from death, when Lothaire breaks her out. Elizabeth doesn’t want to be free, though. She knows if she is free, Saroya is too and if Saroya is free, more people will die. The only alternative Elizabeth sees is her own death. When Lothaire spirits her away, he explains why he will not allow Elizabeth to die – until he is ready to extinguish her spirit so he and Saroya can rule.

Elizabeth is not on board with the plan. She decides to try whatever she can to drive a wedge between Lothaire and Saroya – including seduction. Lothaire, however, views humans as animals, so she has her work cut out for her. Somewhere along the way, though, Lothaire begins to see Elizabeth as more than a vessel for Saroya. But unbreakable vows have been made and there are more players on the field than anyone realizes.

Oh, faithful reader, as you might imagine, there is much more to this book than my summary. So much happening! So many plot threads weaving along! This is barely an overview. This book, mostly, picks up right after Dreams of a Dark Warrior leaves off (there are some prologue bits to establish things too). However, is it absolutely necessary to read DoaDW before reading this one? I say no…not if you’re pretty familiar with the series. If you’ve never read the series, this is not the place to start.

Elizabeth is an excellent heroine, says me. Smart, quick, funny – she never stops trying to find a way out of her situation and does all she can to protect her family. Lothaire ends up being a better hero than I would have ever thought. HOT! NAUGHTY! *ahem* Moving along…the supporting cast is fun, too. Some new and interesting characters (yay, spin-off series) and some characters we already know. Also, let me report that we get more information about Nix – no, not who her hero might be or anything like that…just some stuff about her background and stuff. Still…yay!

Wow, that Saroya is a piece of work. Talk about icky villains! No remorse, nothing redeeming anywhere in her character. Bleh. Not that she’s one-dimensional…just evil. Also, I think Lothaire is blind to the reality of who his bride actually is for too long. And having Elizabeth sometimes speak in a mountain dialect is unnecessary – but I find that sort of thing annoying, generally, so take that for what it’s worth.

I enjoyed the book! It’s much better (and much less bloody) than DoaDW. If you are a fan of the IAD series, you will not be disappointed. And you will definitely be intrigued by the new characters introduced. Is it worth buying in hardcover? If you are a serious fan, sure. I don’t think the payoff is as big in this book as it is in Nalini Singh’s Kiss of Snow, for example. Has Lothaire’s story been very, very anticipated? Maybe it has, but I don’t think so. So, if you are behind in the series or just curious about it (and it is an excellent series), start at the beginning…by the time you’re ready for this one, it will be out in paperback.

Grade: B+

Summary:

ALL FEAR THE ENEMY OF OLD

Driven by his insatiable need for revenge, Lothaire, the Lore’s most ruthless vampire, plots to seize the Horde’s crown. But bloodlust and torture have left him on the brink of madness— until he finds Elizabeth Peirce, the key to his victory. He captures the unique young mortal, intending to offer up her very soul in exchange for power, yet Elizabeth soothes his tormented mind and awakens within him emotions Lothaire believed he could no longer experience.

A DEADLY FORCE DWELLS WITHIN HER

Growing up in desperate poverty, Ellie Peirce yearned for a better life, never imagining she’d be convicted of murder—or that an evil immortal would abduct her from death row. But Lothaire is no savior, as he himself plans to sacrifice Ellie in one month’s time. And yet the vampire seems to ache for her touch, showering her with wealth and sexual pleasure. In a bid to save her soul, Ellie surrenders her body to the wicked vampire, while vowing to protect her heart.

CENTURIES OF COLD INDIFFERENCE SHATTERED

Elizabeth tempts Lothaire beyond reason, as only his fated mate could. As the month draws to a close, he must choose between a millenniaold blood vendetta and his irresistible prisoner. Will Lothaire succumb to the miseries of his past . . . or risk everything for a future with her?

Read an excerpt (opens a PDF, FYI).

Other books in the series:

Sandy M’s review of The Lure of Song and Magic (Magic Series, Book 7) by Patricia Rice
Paranormal Romance published by Sourcebooks Casablanca 1 Jan 12

I’ve not read many of Patricia Rice’s books, but the few I have read, I’ve totally loved. Her voice is what first draws me into a story. As mysterious as the characters’ backgrounds are or the direction the storyline takes a reader, there’s a whimsical tone to her storytelling that gives the entire book an extra layer for a terrific reading experience.

Dylan “Oz” Oswin has been getting mysterious texts from someone calling themselves The Librarian. Those messages have led him to Phillipa Seraphina Malcolm James, the former teen singing sensation Syrene. Somehow she has a way of finding his kidnapped son, and he’ll do whatever is necessary to see that she helps, despite her vow to stay out of the limelight, tucked away in her little house in a little town in the middle of nowhere.

Having a voice that can cause riots, even kill, among other things, is a curse Phillipa will not allow to control her again. Her young husband is dead because of her, and these past years teaching children and writing children’s books has been a balm to her soul after the disaster of her musical career and such heartbreaking loss. When Oz shows up at her day care, wanting to make her the star of his new children’s TV show, her answer is no. She’ll never sing to the masses again.

These characters are total opposites. Oz is a legend in his profession, making money hand over fist for his clients as well as himself. Phillipa needs little in the way of material things. Nothing matters anymore but her inner peace and finding her family. So when Oz keeps after her to participate in the program, she’ll agree only if he’ll help find her any living relative she may have out there. She knows nothing about her family, having been left on the steps of a fire station in Bakersfield. Oz immediately takes her up on the offer, knowing he has the resources to solve her puzzle, and now he can move forward with his plan to find his son.

Oz is one not to let anything stand in his way, especially when it comes to the whereabouts of his son. The townsfolk all protect Phillipa in their own strange ways. But he finds that he likes these different people as he slowly gets to know them. The same with Pippa. There’s a quality about her that just calls to him. She’s thrilled to learn her voice has no effect on Oz. And once she relents, opens herself to him, her life begins to change. Again. Keeping the panic at bay is a very tall order, but with Oz at her side, perhaps she can have more than ever before.

I so enjoyed this couple. Their banter is fun, even when Pippa is pushing Oz away in the beginning. Then once they become more open to their attraction and Pippa’s desire to help Oz begins to overshadow her own needs and she now knows Oz will help her in any way possible, the relationship blossoms and is that much more fun to read.

The mystery of Oz’s missing son and Pippa’s family come together in a slow revealing and then a crashing crescendo. I like the family dynamic on both sides, but it’s Oz’s brothers who really pique my interest. Conan is the private investigator who does all of the legwork for whatever is needed to make progress for Oz. It’s interesting that Oz describes their family has one not wanting to be in the same room together for any length of time, but these brothers, while in their own worlds, would do anything and everything for each other. I’m hoping Oz’s siblings eventually get their own books.

If you’ve not read any of Ms. Rice’s paranormal books, you really should. They’re exquisitely written and the characters are unique and charming every time, with never-before-read concepts that keep you turning the pages well into the early morning hours. What else can a reader ask for?

Grade:  A

Summary:

Her voice was a curse…

When Dylan “Oz” Oswin’s son is kidnapped, the high-powered producer will do anything to get him back. Desperately following an anonymous tip, he seeks help from a former child singing sensation called Syrene, only to find she’s vowed never to sing again. Immune to her voice but not her charm, Oz is convinced she holds the key to his son’s disappearance-and he’ll stop at nothing to make her break her vow.

Read an excerpt.

Other books in this series:

LynneC’s review of Beyond The Darkness (Offspring Series, Book 5) by Jaime Rush
Paranormal Romance published by Avon 29 Nov 11

Petra is a girly-girl. She likes the Wizard of Oz, American Idol, and she’s training to be a beautician (called an esthetician here. Is there a difference? Pardon my ignorance!) In a previous entry in the series, she met and fell for Cheveyo , a part native American, part alien/paranormal being whose job is to chase down and capture the baddies that slip through the gaps between worlds. He is also in love with Petra, although she doesn’t know it. Cheveyo is a jaguar shapeshifter, which is pretty sexy all on its own.

At the beginning of the story, Pope, who was instrumental in saving Petra’s life in a previous book, needs help. He’s a renegade, and Cheveyo offers to help hide him until he’s used to our world and doesn’t need help anymore. But this puts Petra into danger. Two hunters from the other world are after him and they track him to her. Cheveyo wants Petra and she wants him, but Cheveyo is in psychic contact with his dead father Wayne (Wayne? Really? I kept seeing Wayne Rooney in my mind). Wayne pushes Cheveyo to keep up the good work, and he knows he has to, but he also knows he can’t bring Petra into his world. Pretty girly-girls don’t belong.

That’s about it, really, and hooray, I say. So many paranormal romances have pages and pages of rules and strange names you have to get used to. Not with this one. There are few odd words, and the ones that were there were explained adequately, so they didn’t wreck the flow of the story.

This isn’t a masterpiece, it isn’t a mind-blowing experience. What it is, is a damn good read. I had fun with this book. It’s a road book for a great part, with the baddies chasing our heroes and heroine, and the white-hats sometimes turning the tables. They drive through some wonderful scenery which is well evoked, and Cheveyo doesn’t live in a great big, dirty house with a bunch of comrades. He’s a loner, although he knows he’s not alone in his fight.

I like both hero and heroine in this book. At first, Petra seems like a bit of an airhead, but even at the beginning, there are touches that snagged my interest and made me want to leave on. Later, she gets more proactive and learns how to defend herself. And Cheveyo helps her, instead of automatically labeling her a weak woman to be protected. I like that, too, and that Petra doesn’t become an awesome warrior in leather boots and corset overnight. Or at all, come to that.

The sex is enough, although the long lead-up is a bit frustrating at times. There is a particularly disgusting villain and without going into spoiler territory, at one point I thought it’s going into unacceptable territory, but the scene turns around and it works out much better than I’d feared. Which, after all, is a writer’s job. I’m sorry to miss the falling in love part, and, in this instance, the book let me down. By the time I joined in the fun, that part was a done deal, and I wanted a bit more courtship and maybe a tad less yearning.

Cheveyo is stubborn and his insistence on Petra not staying with him gets a little bit annoying, especially after Las Vegas. But that apart, I like him. He respects her as a person, enjoys the touches of femininity she brings to him and his life. He listens to her, even though he might disagree with her. So, yes, for an enjoyable read, I can definitely recommend this one, and I will be looking for the others in the series now.

Grade: B

Summary:

They live ordinary lives, but they are extraordinary. They are the Offspring, children of a mysterious experiment gone awry—and they are in terrible danger.

Cheveyo: a name that stirs Petra like no other, reviving deep feelings of pleasure . . . and pain. Despite her rare psychic gifts, the beautiful half-human Offspring doesn’t know why the magnificent shapeshifter walked out of her life when the bond they shared was powerful . . . and intensely passionate.

But Cheveyo is not gone. From the shadows, he watches over his beloved, determined that the malevolent enemies he hunts with fang and claw will not invade her world. But now, suddenly, the stakes are getting higher—as an insidious evil plots the destruction of Petra’s race. Cheveyo can remain hidden no longer from the lover who completes him but could destroy him . . . if his own inner darkness doesn’t destroy her first.

Read an excerpt.

Other books in this series:

Ash’s review of Chosen by Fate (Para-Ops series book 2) by Virna DePaul
Paranormal Romance published by Berkley Sensation 04 Oct 11

Chosen by Fate is a book I can see my self re-reading over again, just to spend more time with the characters. It’s made the series stand out a little more in my mind.

The biggest thing I liked about Chosen by Fate is the heroine, Wraith. She’s dead. She looks dead, she feels dead, and no matter what is done to her, she will come back and still be…dead. After the tension between them in Chosen by Blood, I was excited to see what would happen, and I’m disappointed. Caleb is a perfect mix of good guy and bad boy. I almost didn’t care about what’s happening in the rest of the story. My focus is centered on them and on finding out what would happen to Wraith.

We touch in with Knox and Felicia, but I’m pretty much over them. Usually I like seeing previous couples, but this time not so much. There is also the mission the Para-Ops team is on to find out why Felines are being raped. It’s interesting enough, but I feel like even the author keeps pushing it to the side. It doesn’t bother me though, so personally it’s not a complaint. We also get more of Dex, who I am starting to really like, and his future heroine, who I also like.

I only wish we could see more of Wraith after her “ending.” I want to see if she’s still the Wraith I have grown to love, how she and Caleb are, and also see how she’s handling her life now. I hope we get to see that in the next book.

In the giant world of paranormal romance, Chosen by Fate might not stand out too much. It’s a hard genre to be original in, but Virna DePauls’ characters are what keep me wanting more. They are fresh in their own way and as a reader I appreciate that more than I can say.

Grade: B+

Summary:

Five years after the Second Civil War ends, humans and Otherborn— humanlike creatures with superhuman DNA—still struggle for peace. To ensure the continued rights of both, the FBI forms a Para-Ops team with a unique set of skills.

Although he keeps company with a vampire and a were, human Shaman Caleb O’Flare can definitely hold his own. But neither his psychic ability nor his healing powers can help his sexy-as-hell teammate, Wraith—a ghost with no memory of her human existence, one who cannot experience touch without pain.

No wraith has managed to exist past its tenth year, so Wraith’s time is about to run out. She wants only two things before accepting her fate: to learn her human identity and experience one night with Caleb. Willing to risk any amount of pain, Wraith propositions him. But when a sign of impending death appears on his chest, Wraith sacrifices her own needs on the chance that sex with her could kill him.

Caleb doesn’t understand Wraith’s change of heart but refuses to let her push him away. As the team travels to Los Angeles to investigate a series of crimes in the feline community, Caleb sets out to prove to Wraith that pleasure and love are worth any risk, including death.

Read an excerpt.

Other books in this series:

Sandy M’s review of The Departed (FBI Psychics, Book 2) by Shiloh Walker
Paranormal Romance published by Berkley Trade 3 Jan 12

This is the second book in Shiloh Walker’s FBI Psychics series and I’m hooked. Along with her characters, it’s Ms. Walker’s ability to make the reader feel emotion that draws me back to her books time after time. Add in the paranormal element, and these books are awesome.

Taylor Jones and Desiree Lincoln work together in a special branch of the FBI. He’s her boss. They’re attracted to one another, but they’ve kept that attraction under control for quite a while now. Dez is able to communicate with the dead, try to help them overcome whatever issue it is keeping them from crossing over. Taylor has no psychic ability, he’s just always honed in on what to do and how to do it when a case comes to his attention. And he has ghosts of his own, the tragic loss of his young sister so many years ago, something that still haunts him to this day.

Everything changes between them in the blink of an eye – or the speed of a bullet. Dez is shot just as she and Taylor are about to make their escape with a child they’ve rescued. The image of her lying on the floor bleeding tears Taylor apart. His determination to take care of her after being released from the hospital goes south. They spend a night of passion together, but afterward Taylor puts distance between them again. Dez has no success in breaking down his barriers, so she walks away from it all – the job and Taylor.

Working on her own, Dez takes cases wherever spirits call her. Then she meets Nathan, a young ghost who needs Dez to help him save a girl in Taylor Jones’ hometown. As she discovers more about the girl and the boys who want to hurt her, Dez calls for backup – the only man she knows who will drop everything to help. Heading home for an anniversary he dreads but gets through every year, Taylor is close by when he learns Dez needs him. It’s been more than a year since he’s seen her, and not one thing has changed when he gets his first glimpse of her.

Taylor and Dez work together to solve her case, all the while an underlying smoldering surrounds them. When they finally come together again, it’s as raw and intense as the first time. Now Taylor is determined to keep Dez in his life, no matter what he has to do. Breaking through the field of feigned indifference will be the most difficult. Dez has learned not to hope where Taylor is concerned. Even when it seems he’s sincere and wants her with him, she has a hard time letting go to believe him.

The emotion in this book is spectacular. From the exhaustion that dogs Dez as she goes from case to case for months to the fear of the victims she helps to the confusion of the spirits who need her to the sensuality and longing between Taylor and Dez, nearly every page tugs at your heart, drags you deep into despair, tosses you into the throes of passion, pulls anger and grief in equal measure from the depths of your soul. Especially after all is said and done in Dez’s current case but another spirit is keeping her nearby, and this time it’s Taylor who has to live through tragedy and heartache once again.

I hope this series goes on for several more books, that Ms. Walker has plenty of stories in mind for these FBI psychics. It’s intriguing as hell and I love it all. I’m very anxiously awaiting the next book, though this one just hit the shelves and it’s going to be a long wait. It’s definitely worth the wait, however.

Grade: A+

Summary:

A LIFELONG OBSESSION

FBI Special Agent Taylor Jones has made it his mission to save those in harm’s way by any means necessary—including employing psychic agents like Desiree “Dez” Lincoln, who can communicate with the disembodied spirits of the dead. Taylor is haunted by his own ghost, his kid sister, gone missing at age six. For a quarter of a century he has been tortured by her loss and the mystery of her disappearance.

A NIGHT’S INDISCRETION

When Dez is seriously wounded, Taylor can no longer hide his feelings for her. Getting involved could spell disaster for both of them—not to mention those who rely on them for help—but once Dez lays her hands on him, he can’t resist the fierce attraction. But after giving in to his desires, Taylor pulls back, and Dez strikes out on her own.

AN INESCAPABLE PASSION

Responding to the call of another anguished spirit, Dez is led to Taylor’s old hometown. As the two are forced to come together to save a girl in peril, Dez may be able to help Taylor finally find the answers he’s been looking for…

Read an excerpt.

Other books in this series: