The Weekly Requack Vol I

June 1 thru June 7

What all was quacking this week… you know… just in case you blinked.

We kicked off our Harlequin Spotlight for June!

30 Days and 30 Knights
What is this you ask? Well go read the post . Oh ok the quick and the dirty… it is our Harlequin Historical spotlight (a personal favorite of mine). You can expect a HH Book Alert post every day at 9am and a guest post at 11am for that HH author. As always reviews will be randomly posted.This week our 30 Days & 30 Knights guests were: Deborah Simmons, Pam Crooks, Patricia Frances Rowell, Deb Marlowe, Jillian Hart, Michelle Styles and check in tomorrow for Michelle Willingham

Guest Authors:

• Jessica Andersen wanted to know Where will YOU be 12/21/2012
• Shiloh Walker put Kalen in the Hot Seat
• Cherie Feather, author of one of the best erotica romance novels I have read in a while, The Art of Desire (review coming soon) joined us on Friday and will be here over the weekend talking about: Women’s Erotica… Not just another pretty body part…
• Michelle Styles put to pond our monthly: TGTBTU Harlequin Insider: Let the Summer Reading Begin!

Reviews:

Reviews are posted everyday at 1 am, 1 pm, 4 pm and 10 pm. Reviews for this week are here and all reviews here. A few to note…

• We continued our Immortals After Dark Series fest

• Through the Veil by Shiloh Walker

• Lover Enshrined by J.R. Ward

• Walk on the Wild Side by Christine Warren

If you missed it… find out what we are pondering… all we are quacking about and don’t forget to check out the duck flash or the contests in the sidebar.

Liviania‘s review of Dark Needs at Night’s Edge (Immortals After Dark, Book 4) by Kresley Cole
Paranormal Romance released by Pocket 1 Apr 08

I started Kresley Cole’s Immortals After Dark with this one, and I believe it is my favorite. This romance focuses on the youngest of the Wroth brothers, the insane Conrad, and Néomi, a dead human. Yes, it is a bit of a logistical nightmare. On the other hand, it gives the characters time to talk and develop a strong emotional relationship before they have sex.

In a last-ditch effort to save Conrad’s mind, his brothers imprison him. They believe they have found the means to restore his sanity without using Riora’s gift, which made more sense after I read No Rest for the Wicked. Elancourt just happens to be Néomi’s former estate and her soul anchor. Since only Conrad has killed and become a Fallen vampire, he is the only one that can see and hear the ballerina. However, when a vampire kills, he absorbs the memories of his prey. Conrad is lost in the memories of his numerous kills and believes Néomi to be yet another of his hallucinations.

Néomi realizes Conrad can see her and proves to him that she’s real. After all, she was a famous ballerina in life. She commanded the attention of hundreds of people at a time. Now she has spent several decades only able to observe those who venture onto the estate. Madman or not, Conrad can see and talk to her and that means everything – even if he does keep destroying parts of their house.

Kristoff imprisons Nikolai, Murdoch, and Sebastian (the brothers) for not killing Conrad. This gives Conrad and Néomi time to talk and get to know each other beyond, “I want you because you’re my Bride.” It eventually leads to one of the cutest moments in the series, when Conrad offers to deface the grave of her murderer. No really, it’s cute. And it’s just one of many surprisingly cute moments in their relationship.

In the end though, Cole must find a way for Néomi and Conrad to be able to touch. Enter Mariketa, Bowen, and Nïx. (And now that I have read the other books, I notice Regin’s short cameo.) Nïx is one of the best parts of these books – a nutty seer with a thing for mayhem and nail polish. It’s no wonder the Valkyrie are feared. In the very end, the solution becomes a tad convenient, but overall Cole develops a satisfying method to embody Néomi.

She also continues what she started in Wicked Deeds on a Winter’s Night and develops Cadeon’s character. She manages to set-up his story and to revisit the previous couples without crowding Conrad and Neomi’s story, which is very enjoyable. She also seems to be developing interest in the identity of Murdoch’s mystery bride.

I went into Dark Needs at Night’s Edge with high expectations and Cole met them all. I particularly liked that I understood the world’s rules and the characters’ relationships without exposure to the previous novels. Of course, I instantly bought those first three novels and devoured them. Now if only I can get my hands on Playing Easy to Get . . .

Grade: A

A RAVEN-HAIRED TEMPTRESS OF THE DARK…

Néomi Laress, a famous ballerina from a past century, became a phantom the night she was murdered. Imbued with otherworldly powers but invisible to the living, she haunts her beloved home, scaring away trespassers — until she encounters a ruthless immortal even more terrifying than Néomi herself.

A VAMPIRE WARRIOR CONSUMED BY MADNESS…

To prevent him from harming others, Conrad Wroth’s brothers imprison him in an abandoned manor. But there, a female only he can see seems determined to drive him further into madness. The exquisite creature torments him with desire, leaving his body racked with lust and his soul torn as he finds himself coveting her for his own.

HOW FAR WILL HE GO TO CLAIM HER?

Yet even if Conrad can win Néomi, evil still surrounds her. Once he returns to the brutality of his past to protect her, will he succumb to the dark needs seething inside him?

Click on the Immortals After Dark series tag for more excerpts, more reviews, and more everything on this series.

Wendy the Super Librarian‘s review of Kidnapped By The Cowboy by Pam Crooks
Historical romance released by Harlequin Historical 1 June 08

Over the years, I’ve made no secret of my love and devotion for Harlequin Historical westerns. As a general rule, I buy all of them as they become available, and save them in my TBR for when I’m in need of a comfort read. This is how Kidnapped By The Cowboy came to be on my wish list. Unfortunately, after a bang-up prologue, I found myself increasingly annoyed by two characters who didn’t actively use their brains.

T.J. Grier is a man with a ruined reputation. He was once a respected cowboy on the C Bar C ranch, a favorite of owner Carina Lockett. However that all changes the night that Carina’s young son, Danny, is killed in an altercation. T.J. happens upon the scene of the crime after the fact, and desperate to protect someone, takes the blame for young Danny’s death. He’s thrown in jail, but not convicted due to lack of evidence. Now the damage is done, and he’s effectively labeled a child murderer.

Callie Mae Lockett will never forget the night her beloved brother died. She loathes T.J. with every fiber of her being. So imagine her dismay when she learns that her mother gave T.J. some prime land on the family ranch prior to Danny’s death. Callie Mae needs to get that land back because the good townsfolk want to use it for horse racing and other amusements. Callie Mae would rather eat worms. Determined to get back that land, she and her fiancé, Kullen, ride out to T.J.’s spread to talk to him. Naturally, all hell breaks loose.

In the ensuing drama, T.J.’s prize-thoroughbred breaks free. T.J. was counting on that horse to restore his reputation. In the heat of the moment, he kidnaps Callie Mae, and forces her to ride off with him to find the horse. He is also desperate to learn the truth behind Danny’s death, and is determined to show Callie Mae he’s not the monster she thinks he is.

The main issue with this story is the conflict. T.J. is bent out of shape because everyone thinks he’s a child murderer, and he’s stung by the fact that the girl he’s always loved thinks he’s scum. Um, hello?! He confessed to doing it! He said he did it! Of course the dead boy’s sister isn’t going to like you anymore! Geez, get a clue.

Callie Mae doesn’t fare that much better, mainly because it takes her a little too long to see the truth smacking her in the face. The events prior to T.J. kidnapping her should have told her beyond a shadow of a doubt that something was rotten in Denmark. Yet she continually fights it. Even after a large chunk of the truth comes out regarding the night Danny died, she still doesn’t fully admit to herself that everything she thought she knew was all based on lies. After a while I wanted to tell the girl to wake up and smell the coffee already.

There’s some back-story here related to the first book in this series, Untamed Cowboy, but the author does a decent job of bringing the reader up to speed. There were a few moments of series-info-dumping, but these moments were very brief, and on the whole, this story read fast and easy. Fans of the first book will likely enjoy this return visit with past characters, but it never registered above “OK” for this reviewer.

Grade: C

Summary:

TAKEN! Callie Mae Lockett had once trusted TJ Grier, cared for him even, but then her brother was killed and TJ took the blame. Now he wants a chance to clear his name, even if that means kidnapping Callie Mae….

REDEEMED?

Alone in the wilderness with TJ, Callie Mae should feel afraid. Instead, she is attracted to this rugged cowboy and begins to believe in his innocence. But the truth will be dangerous for both of them and, with time running out, can TJ clear his name and claim his woman?

Read an excerpt.

Other books in this series:

Liviania‘s review of No Rest for the Wicked by Kresley Cole
Paranormal Romance released by Pocket Star Books 31 Oct 06

The second Immortals After Dark novel focuses on the second-youngest Wroth brother, Sebastian. His village hires Kaderin the Cold Hearted to kill him, but the two quickly realize she is his Bride. After a brief amorous encounter, Kaderin leaves, unwilling to undergo the humiliation of being involved with a vampire. (She’s seen how her family treats Myst, whose husband is a vampire – and Sebastian’s older brother.) Currently she’s focused on winning the Talisman’s Hie, a contest run by the goddess Riora. After all, she’s won the past five times and must defend her title.

Since Sebastian’s older brothers turned him against his will, he chose to become recluse. Thus, he does not realize how dangerous Kaderin is. (Much like Emma in the previous novel, he knows little about other creatures in the Lore.) He follows and tries to protect her like the knight he was in life. Kaderin is not amused. However, Kaderin only feels this displeasure because her emotions returned after she met Sebastian. Someone answered her prayer not to feel after a vampire killed her two sisters – a vampire whose life she saved. The winner of the Talisman’s Hie will receive a key that will take the user into the past. Kaderin wishes to save her sisters and wishes the vampire would stop interfering.

Sebastian and Kaderin’s strongest competitor is Bowen MacRieve, who first appeared in A Hunger Like No Other. His mate died in the eighteen hundreds and he has been slowly dying ever since. He’s a sympathetic character and Cole shoots herself in the foot by making him a main antagonist. The reader wants Sebastian and Kaderin to succeed, but the reader wants the same for Bowen. Terrible things are done to him throughout the novel. I think I managed to move past him and focus on the romance only because I knew his future due to reading the fourth book first.

This is a large flaw simply because Sebastian and Kaderin’s romance is strong. It sticks out because the rest of the book is solid. Sebastian earnestly pursues her and two fall in love as they learn to trust the other (even as each of them still wants to be the protector). They’re both strong, fierce, and capable. They clash because of Kaderin’s independence and Sebastian’s determination to be her knight-in-shining-armor. They work when he allows her to stand on her own.

Plus, Kaderin deserves HEA after listening to Regin’s choice of music in Antarctica. She spent years without emotions and then immediately has to deal with one of the party valkyrie. I do like how Cole sets future romances in place. I look forward to there being a novel about Regin and her reincarnated but doomed lover.

Perhaps the most action-oriented of the series, No Rest for the Wicked moves at a quick pace with no dull spots. If only the villain were dastardly . . .

Grade: B+

Summary:

A vampire soldier weary of life… Centuries ago, Sebastian Wroth was turned into a vampire-a nightmare in his mind-against his will. Burdened with hatred and alone for ages, he sees little reason to live. Until an exquisite, fey creature comes to kill him, inadvertently saving him instead.

A valkyrie assassin dispatched to destroy him… When Kaderin the Cold Hearted lost her two beloved sisters to a vampire attack long ago, a benevolent force deadened her sorrow-accidentally extinguishing al of her emotions. Yet whenever she encounters Sebastian, her feelings-particularly lust-emerge multiplied. For the first time, she’s unable to complete a kill.

Competitors in a legendary hunt… The course will take them through ancient tombs and catacombs, seeking relics around the world, and the prize for victory is powerful enough for Kaderin to change history and prevent her sisters’ deaths. Sebastian competes as well, and begins winning-her. But when forced to choose between Sebastian and reuniting her family, how can Kaderin live without either?

Read an excerpt here.

Click on the Immortals After Dark series tag for more excerpts, more reviews, and more everything on this series.

Shannon C.’s review of Whiskey Sour: a Jacqueline Daniels Mystery by JA Konrath
Mystery fiction released by Hyperion 2 Jun 04

I’m not a big mystery reader, but I’ve been consciously trying to pick up books I normally wouldn’t. JA Konrath’s first Jack Daniels mystery isn’t one I’d have grabbed on my own, but a review I read somewhere made me intrigued enough to pick up this book. I’m glad I did.

You see, Jack Daniels is a woman, the Jack of course standing for Jacqueline. She’s been on the Chicago P.D. for 20 years, and she’s pretty much married to her job. But even she is shaken up by the gruesomeness of the killings made by a man who calls himself the Gingerbread Man killer. And this killer gradually becomes obsessed with Jack as well.

I love kick-ass heroines. Jack definitely kicks ass, and what’s more, I really like her narrative voice. I knew going into the book that JA Konrath was a man, so I was expecting Jack not to feel feminine enough, but she really worked for me. She’s funny, cynical, and self-depricating. I even didn’t mind the fact that there was no hint of a romantic subplot, although Jack does go out on a blind date. I’m hoping that there’ll be romance for Jack in future books, but I was glad she wasn’t distracted by love and could therefore do her job. There are definitely some romantic prospects, though, and one man in particular in Jack’s life that I want to hear more from. I also loved her relationship with her partner, Herb, and could definitely tell that they liked each other a lot. And the scenes where Jack talks to her mother? Awesome and hysterical.

In fact, the whole book is funny in a witty, snarky sort of way. I know I read some other review which complained particularly about the FBI agents who are totally just there for the comic relief, but those scenes had me in stitches. I even loved the parts where Jack and Herb crack jokes which aren’t very good.

Not to say that this is a lighthearted book, because it’s not. Konrath doesn’t pull any punches, and there was a lot of gore. I mean, seriously, the killer was incredibly creepy, though that being said the masterful part of the violence is that Konrath doesn’t describe everything in loving detail. He just paints a macabre picture and lets the reader fill in the rest. The killer actually seemed pretty smart, too, and the author waits until just the right moment to spring the identity of the villain on us. I was kept guessing right along with Jack, and at least in the romantic suspense I’ve read, I tend to figure out who the villains are relatively quickly, so it was nice to actually get that “Aha! So that’s the connection!” moment along with Jack.

My only real issues with the book are that I hate the technique the author uses. We get Jack’s first-person POV and then, occasionally, we’ll get third person chapters with the killer. This does heighten the suspense and Konrath juggles the POV better than most, but it’s a pet pieve of mine and I didn’t like it. However, since the book is getting a really high grade anyway, obviously I wasn’t crying about it too much. I also hated the ending. Justice is served, the killer is apprehended, but in such a way that I really felt awful for Jack. Saying more would constitute spoilers, but if I were Jack, I would have done more than punch someone in the face. I wanted better for her, which I guess goes to show that I did connect with the character.

Despite those issues, I really enjoyed this book and recommend it, especially if you enjoy snappy dialogue, gripping suspense and kick-ass heroines.

Grade: B+

Summary:

Lt. Jacqueline “JACK” Daniels is having a VERY bad week…

Jack’s live-in boyfriend has left her for his personal trainer, chronic insomnia has maxed out her credit cards with late-night home shopping purchases, and a frightening killer who calls himself “The Gingerbread Man” is dumping mutilated bodies in her district.

Between avoiding the FBI and their moronic profiling computer, joining a dating service, mixing it up with street thugs, and parrying the advances of an uncouth PI, Jack and her binge-eating partner Herb must catch the maniac before he kills again…and Jack is next on his murder list.

Whiskey Sour introduces a fun, fully drawn heroine in the grand tradition of Kinsey Millhone, Stephanie Plum, and Kay Scarpetta. It’s both laugh out loud funny and lock the doors scary.

You can download a PDF excerpt of this book from here.

Limecello’s review of Playing Easy to Get by Sherrilyn Kenyon, Jaid Black, and Kresley Cole
Paranormal romance anthology released by Pocket 7 Feb 06

I read this book, because TGTBTU offered a contest about it, and I discovered that Kresley Cole had her introductory story of the Immortals After Dark series published in the anthology. I’ve been following the series, and knew I had to get my hands on the story that “started it all.”

Turn Up the Heat by Sherrilyn Kenyon

This is a contemporary romance, and part of the Bureau of American Defense (B.A.D.) series. Allison George is an average heroine, whose life changes when she wins a sweepstakes to be a heroine in a book. Her friend happens to work for the company and pulls a few strings. There’s a lot of action, because the hero Vince Cappelleti is an ex-mob hit man, but the family isn’t willing to give him up. This story wasn’t entirely believable, and I found myself most interested in a secondary character, “Z” – Wulfgar Zimmerman. For once, I didn’t mind the story was so short. In fact, it would have worked just as well if it were shorter.

Grade: D +

Read an excerpt here.

Hunter’s Oath by Jaid Black

A paranormal romance dealing with modern day Vikings who live underground, the story isn’t quite what you expect. We’re introduced to Sofia Rowley when she’s in a cab going back to Fairbanks, AK after attending her brother’s funeral. What happens is she’s kidnapped by bride hunters, who provide the underground Vikings with women, because a prophecy says some day women will be near extinction above ground.
It’s cute because the Viking men are taught that their brides are the best thing since sliced bread and that they’ll love them – even though they’re told the brides might give them trouble and try to run away and hate them for a while, because, you know, they were kidnapped! Interesting, because the women are stripped naked, oiled up, some are drugged, and they’re auctioned off like chattel.
A creative idea, but I didn’t really get into this story. I found it too unbelievable, and that the relationship between Sofia and Johen depended too much on his indoctrinated belief that he’s to love his bride. And the sex they have. Lots and lots of sex.

Grade: D-

The Warlord Wants Forever by Kresley Cole

This novella starts of the Immortals After Dark series, and tells the story of Nikolai Wroth and Myst, the Valkyrie. This book like many of Ms. Cole’s others includes a reversal or roles. The woman holds all the power and knowledge. Wroth is a vampire, but he doesn’t really know much about vampires, or any of the other creatures in the Lore (paranormal beings). Myst is Wroth’s Bride, but after she bloods him, leaves him, and he hunts her for five years, in a very, um, ready state. (When a vampire is blooded, his heart begins to beat again, among various other changes.) Five years makes the Viagra cautionary message seem like a joke. Wroth is displeased, to say the least, and has a violent reunion with Myst.
Myst hates vampires, but finds herself attracted to Wroth. He’s different from all the others, and might just be the one to show not all vampires are pure evil. He kidnaps Myst, and ends up able to control her through a spell. Their relationship is troubled and dysfunctional, but it works with their personalities.
I really enjoyed this story and recommend reading it because it’s very well written, and provides helpful background for the IAD series.

Grade: B

Read an excerpt here.

A quick anthology that was overall enjoyable, but not outstanding. I’d recommend this to Sherrilyn Kenyon fans, and would go far as saying it’s a must read for Kresley Cole’s IAD fans.

Grade: C

New York Times bestselling author Sherrilyn Kenyon and rising stars Jaid Black and Kresley Cole unlock the pleasures and perils of embracing the boldest and most powerful of lovers — 100% alpha males — in three sensually erotic tales. Discover the physical rapture of his muscular arms…. Become a prisoner of passion, swept away by an encounter with his primal side…. And get lost in the all-consuming thrill of white-hot pursuit by a relentless stranger who may be your most dangerous foe, the best lover you’ve ever had — or both.

Let your fantasies run wild with these unforgettable novellas where bigger is most definitely better — and playing easy-to-get is the only way to go!

Lawson’s review of Taken by the Viking by Michelle Styles
Historical romance released by Harlequin Historical 1 May 08

I have to admit that I’ve never actually read a Harlequin Historical. For whatever reason I’ve just never picked one up. Even when Sybil threw one at me. I was rather excited that this month’s feature was Harlequin Historicals, so maybe I could finally start reading them. It’s rather odd though that the first one I read is about Vikings. I had a bad experience with a Viking romance some years ago and haven’t really liked them since. I think Michelle Styles has made me change my mind about that though.

Annis of Birdoswald is at Lindisfarne monastery visiting her uncle and getting his advice about an possible betrothal with a second husband. While there a group of Vikings land with a missive giving them gold from the abbey’s coffers. After a scuffle on the beach which one of the monks start, the Vikings attack Lindisfarne pillaging, stealing and taking captives. While hiding, Annis and her maid are discovered and nearly killed by a berserker overcome with blood lust.

Haakon Haroldson comes to her rescue, only to trip while her maid is escaping. Annis stabs the berserker in the neck and kills him, saving Haakon’s life. Though he tries to see her to safety and freedom, she gets caught by his brother and is taken captive and sails back to Haakon’s estate. Treated as a servant and forced to work, Annis makes the best of things, but there be schemes and plots afoot and Annis can only hope to make it out alive so that she can be with Haakon.

Not knowing much about the Vikings, there was a great feel to the book. More than just pirates, pillagers and marauders, Styles gives all the Vikings, noble or villainous good characterization and makes it all seem rather real. The lifestyle, the customs and the protocols all make the most sense with the small amount that I do know about Viking culture and history.

Annis is a pretty good character. She’d been rejected in her marriage because she brought the wealth and didn’t get pregnant after only a few nights with her husband. She’s in constant fear that Haakon with get his pleasure and move on, which makes here a little spineless at times, but she never does anything that doesn’t make sense. She does what she needs to survive and always holds her head up.

Haakon is her Viking captor and is dealing with so many threats to the peace and safety to his home, it’s a wonder he’s as nice as he is. He’s got a stepmother who’s shady and manipulative, fellow Jaarls (nobles) that want his lands and idiotic monks who escape their captivity. He still treats Annis pretty well, until he lets his own judgment get clouded by his emotions. He’s afraid to care fully about any woman.

With some things that were rather cliched, such as the villainous Jaarl and Haakon’s stepmother’s behavior toward Annis, it still was a good read and I breezed through it with a satisfied feeling by the time the epilogue came around. I’ll have to give Vikings more chances, especially if Styles writes them.

Grade: B+

Blurb:

A Viking raid. They claimed they came in peace, but soon Lindisfarne was aflame. Annis of Birdoswald fled in fear, but she could not escape the Norse warriors.

An honorable captor. One man protected her—Haakon Haroldson. The dark, arrogant Viking swept Annis back to his homeland, taking her away from all she held dear.

A new life—as his mistress! Now Annis must choose between the lowly work that befits a captive, or a life of sinful pleasure in the Viking’s arms!

Read an excerpt.

Liviania‘s review of A Hunger Like No Other (Immortals After Dark, Book 1) by Kresley Cole
Paranormal Romance released by Pocket Star Books 28 Mar 06

Kresley Cole’s popular Immortals After Dark series begins with A Hunger Like No Other. The book opens as Lachlain, King of the Lykae, escapes a torture chamber to pursue the scent of his mate. He’s waited centuries for her to appear. His mate, to his displeasure, turns out to be recent Tulane grad Emmaline Troy, a half-vampire, half-valkyrie. She’s a bit of a coward instead of the warrior she has the potential to be, and Lachlain scares her when he abducts her in Paris.

I expected to love A Hunger Like No Other since it’s a favorite with fans of the series and I greatly enjoyed Dark Need’s At Night’s Edge. However, the hero-almost-rapes-the-heroine-but-she-falls-in-love-anyway storyline just does not work for me. I felt like I was reading a novel from the eighties, rather than 2006. Cole did it well; because of the book’s events, Emma becomes stronger and embraces her heritage. In the end, she kicks butt and takes names. I wish she had more significant cameos in the following books.

Lachlain, though . . . as soon as he redeemed himself to me, he would do something else to piss me off. First it’s the old, “You’re saying no but your body wants me,” line. Then it’s lying to Emma at a point when the truth would clearly work better. (Actually, he lies to Emma almost constantly. That’s a great basis for a relationship.) Then it’s getting Emma drunk so she’ll be easy. He manages to be enough of a man to not take advantage of her, which I liked, but I did not like that he did these things continually.

While the overall premise did not work for me, I enjoyed the interracial relationship aspects of the book. Cole achieved a comfortable blend of the real world and the paranormal. Lachlain has a strong hatred of vampires due to his past with them, but he only knows of the Fallen. He also does not realize Emma is part valkyrie and judges her completely by her vampire heritage. Emma knows almost nothing about the Lore. The two learn about each other’s culture and move past their initial prejudices. Lachlain must also gain the approval of her family. (So must Nikolai Wroth, who became the vampire lover of Emma’s aunt in Cole’s story in the anthology Playing Easy to Get.) To me, the mechanics of their developing a lasting relationship are far more interesting and plausible than the “I’m falling in love with the guy who kidnapped and abused me!” part.

I found myself reading A Hunger Like No Other for the antics of the other valkyrie and for the subplot dealing with Emma’s discovery of her father’s identity. The romance just did not interest me. Cole did the well with her premise, but I still found it too off-putting.

Grade: C

Summary:

A mythic warrior who’ll stop at nothing to possess her… After enduring years of torture from the vampire horde, Lachlain MacRieve, leader of the Lykae Clan, is enraged to find the predestined mate he’s waited millennia for is a vampire. Or partly one. This Emmaline is a small, ethereal half Valkyrie/ half vampire, who somehow begins to soothe the fury burning within him.

A vampire captured by her wildest fantasy… Sheltered Emmaline Troy finally sets out to uncover the truth about her deceased parents-until a powerful Lykae claims her as his mate and forces her back to his ancestral Scottish castle. There, her fear of the Lykae -and their notorious dark desires-ebbs as he begins a slow, wicked seduction to sate her own dark cravings.

An all consuming desire… Yet when an ancient evil from her past resurfaces, will their desire deepen into a love that can bring a proud warrior to his knees and turn a gentle beauty into the fighter she was born to be?

Read an excerpt here.

Click on the Immortals After Dark series tag for more excerpts, more reviews, and more everything on this series.

Devon’s Review of One Foot in the Grave (Night Huntress, Book 2) by Jeaniene Frost
Paranormal Romance released by Avon 29 Apr 08

I really enjoyed the first book in the Night Huntress series, Halfway to the Grave, so I was keen to get my mitts on this one. I have a feeling this is one of those series that you will either adore or find ridiculous. After reading the first book, I ran across this review on Breezing Through, and I was genuinely startled that others didn’t like it as much as I. Then I was like, “Well, I see their point there, and, oh yeah, she’s got a point there….” I could see what they were talking about right away, but I hadn’t noticed those things while I was reading. Funny how that happens. Anyhow, One Foot in the Grave is just as hot, action-packed, romantic, and yes, slightly absurd as the first book.

One Foot in the Grave picks up four years after Halfway to the Grave. Cat Crawfield, half-vampire, half-human chick with issues, is kicking ass and taking names as the head of a special vampire-killing FBI Unit. Yes, this does require a bit of belief suspension, that this grumpy 27 year old would be commanding ex-cops, Special Forces guys, and various other fighting types with more experience of all kinds. But I go with it because it’s fun! Cat is also pining for Bones, the lover/mentor she left behind. Through a rather contrived series of events, Bones comes back into her life, just in time to help her when her life is targeted.

Aaaahhh, Bones. I love him so. Yes, an oddly named, bleached blonde, English accented vampire does seem a bit derivative, but he’s such a great character. The relationship between him and Cat is what makes everything work so well. He is all about Cat. We get to know him better here, and he’s kind of a scary guy. His personal moral code is pretty much “Whatever keeps Cat safe, whatever keeps Cat happy.” Kind of sociopathic, but also funny, charming and hot. Once he shows up, the book really takes off.

Cat is one of those characters that may annoy readers. She’s abrasive, and impulsive, sometimes TSTL. Thank goodness for vamp super-speed and super-strength. She has a vulnerability that comes from her isolation that keeps her vulnerable, and a little more likeable. She shows a bit more emotional maturity in this book, and it’s good that she’s making more connections, with her team members and her best girlfriend. She and Bones have great chemistry, but I still sometimes wondered what it is about her that inspires such devotion in him.

I enjoyed the plot, which went deeper into the world of vampires and the mystery of Cat’s father. Cat’s team was made up of interesting characters, and I liked the interplay between all of them, and Bones. And the romantic elements are very involving. Although I have quibbles with Cat, I am loving this series. It’s fast-paced blend of romance and urban fantasy. I would start with the first in the series, and I would definitely recommend One Foot in the Grave to readers who enjoy series that follow the course of a relationship, or those who don’t need an neatly wrapped HEA. I’m looking forward to number three.

Grade: B+

Read Bev’s review here.

From the Cover:

You can run from the grave, but you can’t hide . . .

Half-vampire Cat Crawfield is now Special Agent Cat Crawfield, working for the government to rid the world of the rogue undead. She’s still using everything Bones, her sexy and dangerous ex, taught her, but when Cat is targeted for assassination, the only man who can help her is the vampire she left behind.

Being around him awakens all her emotions, from the adrenaline kick of slaying vamps side by side to the reckless passion that consumed them. But a price on her head—wanted: dead or half-alive—means her survival depends on teaming up with Bones. And no matter how hard she tries to keep things professional between them, she’ll find that desire lasts forever . . . and that Bones won’t let her get away again.

Read an excerpt here.

Other books in the series:

Connie’s review of The Night Cafe by Taylor Smith
Thriller released from MIRA 1 Jun 08

Gun for hire Hannah Nicks agrees to take a job for her sister’s longtime friend. All Hannah needs to do is deliver a painting to a gun runner in Puerto Vallerta. This simple, well paying job goes bad when Hannah reaches the gun runners estate and finds everyone dead. Hannah hides the painting and returns to her home only to find her sister’s friend has been murdered.

Hannah finds the gun runner is alive and will go to great lengths to find his picture. Hannah is trying to figure out why he paid so much for a painting that is so unappealing, why everyone is dying and why everyone she knows is in danger from this man.

Hannah’s neighbors are a gay couple with an adopted special needs child. The guys are likeable and you don’t want to see them hurt because they are friends with Hannah.

Will Teagarden does much to explain Hannah’s problem and is an appealing characer with great charm. I like happy endings and this was mostly happy. One character was a loss and I would have enjoyed seeing him again. Over all interesting story from a new to me author I will read again.

Grade: B-

Blurb:

Hired by her sister’s friend, a gallery owner, Hannah sets out to transport a minor artist’s painting to its buyer in Puerto Vallarta. But when Hannah arrives at the delivery point, she finds the tail end of a massacre and is nearly killed herself. She hides the painting, fearing it is not a meal ticket but a death warrant, and flees back to the States.

But it only gets worse for her in L.A. The gallery owner has been killed, and Hannah is named as the murder suspect. In order to prove her innocence, she must hunt down the person who framed her…and uncover the secret of a deadly work of art.

Read an excerpt.

Wendy the Super Librarian‘s review of The Last Rake In London by Nicola Cornick
Historical romance released by Harlequin Historical 1 Jun 08

If one were to only study British history by way of romance novels it would be easy to deduce that all history of the island started in 1811 and ended in 1820. As someone who genuinely loves historical romance, I find this particularly frustrating, because vibrant time periods can be found throughout history – not in just during a period that lasted less than a decade. Thank goodness for Harlequin Historicals and their willingness to publish books outside of Regency England. Reading Nicola Cornick’s latest was not only an excellent way to cleanse my reading pallet, but it was a lovely surprise as well.

What we have here ladies and gentlemen is an honest-to-goodness Edwardian set novel. A time often viewed as the birth of the modern age. Cars were the latest craze, although they frightened the horses, militant suffragists were protesting, and communication picked up a faster pace thanks to telephones. It was also a time when women were enjoying more freedom. Such is the case with our heroine, the refreshingly forthright Miss Sally Bowes.

Sally runs an incredibly fashionable night club in London called the Blue Parrot. She falls asleep at her desk, looking over invoices, when in storms Jack Kestrel, heir to a Dukedom and highly annoyed. He suspects that Sally is blackmailing his frail, elderly uncle and Jack has come to put a stop to it. Of course, it doesn’t take long for him to realize that the beautiful, enchanting Sally isn’t the blackmailer – although she knows very well who is. However by then it’s too late for Jack. It’s lust at first sight.

Sally is a business woman, smart and capable, and not about to have her head turned by a handsome face. One disastrous marriage was enough for her thank you! But even she cannot deny the incredible chemistry that her and Jack seem to share. It’s all very complicated though. What with his scandalous, rakish past, her near-divorce and the fact that she owns a club, not to mention that blackmailing scheme. For while Sally had no part in it, she’s determined to protect the guilty party.

What works so well in this story are the refreshing setting and delightful repartee between Sally and Jack – especially in the early chapters. The chemistry sizzles between them, and leaps off the page. They do fall in bed together rather quickly, but one can hardly blame them! It’s amazing they keep their clothes on as long as they do.

That being said, this story isn’t entirely perfect. Trust isn’t easy to come by for either of these characters, and for a good chunk of the story they share an adversarial relationship. Jack especially is determined to believe the worst about Sally, fearing that he’s managed to be duped by a pretty face and tantalizing figure. In turn, Sally is determined to protect her livelihood, the club, which Jack threatens her with on more than one occasion.

This story moves rather quickly, with the whole thing taking place in one weeks’ time. That might strain the credulity for some readers, especially given the aforementioned trust issues, but it worked better for me in this story than in most because of the palpable chemistry simmering between Sally and Jack.

Cornick fans will no doubt take delight in knowing that the author has tied this book to her earlier Regency-set, Blue Stocking Brides series, but newcomers should have no fear. While past characters are mentioned briefly, this story stands on its own. There aren’t nearly enough historical romances written in the Edwardian period, and lucky for readers that Cornick has written an especially fine one. Snap it up.

Grade: B

Summary: Under a blaze of chandeliers, in London’s most fashionable club, Jack Kestrel is waiting. He hasn’t come to enjoy the rich at play, he’s there to uphold his family name. But first he has to get past the ice-cool owner: the beautiful Sally Bowes. And Jack wants her to warm his bed-at any price!

Edwardian society flocks to Sally’s club, but dangerous Jack Kestrel is the most sinfully sensual rogue she’s ever met. Inexperienced with men, the wicked glint in Jack’s eyes promises he’ll take care of satisfying her every need….

Read an excerpt.

Other Books In Series:

Limecello’s review of Three Nights of Sin by Anne Mallory
Historical Romance released by Avon on 29 April 08

I’ve never read a book by Anne Mallory before, and now I find myself wondering why. I don’t think it’s her writing style that different from other authors so much as her tone, but I found it enjoyable and refreshing, and look forward to reading more of her books.

While the plot itself isn’t something particularly new, Ms. Mallery puts a fresh spin on it. The impoverished noble family on the edge of ruin, and in a lot of trouble – but the twists and turns keep the reader surprised and guessing.

Marietta Winters has a problem. Her younger brother, Kenny, has been imprisoned, accused of being the Middlesex murderer. Her older brother, Mark, is a spendthrift, and pretty much useless. This would make anyone crabby, but Marietta takes it to a new level. She’s rather venomous especially in the beginning of the novel. I know she’s trying to overcome her attraction to Gabriel, and she’s ruined, but it made her very hard to truly like. Marietta probably should have remembered that she was indebted to Gabriel.

Gabriel, the hero, is in a way, typical. He’s handsome – gorgeous, frighteningly attractive. Women on the street stop to stare at him. They simper and scrape and their eyes glaze over. (I found this a bit hard to believe.) Even more so, because Gabriel acts as an investigator, and if he’s so gorgeous and noticeable, it’d be hard for him to accomplish anything. People would remember him wherever and whenever he showed up due to his stunning good looks. However, being so attractive is more of a burden for him. The fact that Gabriel doesn’t celebrate his effect on women is to his credit. He’s also obscenely wealthy.

Yet, both characters are likeable, and you find yourself sympathizing with them. They’re both good people at the core, and are willing to sacrifice themselves for those they love.

I’m not quire sure I entirely believed the developing relationship between Gabriel and Marietta. However, once it’s established, both characters truly begin to develop and become human. The investigations Marietta and Gabriel conduct are interesting and engaging; I felt all the various threads of the story were tied up nicely.

While I didn’t think the title fit the story very well, it was catchy, and I enjoyed reading it. The tone was a bit more stark and darker than what I’m used to for a historical romance, but it worked with the story perfectly. I recommend reading this book, especially if you’re a fan of historicals.

Grade: B-

Summary:

Three nights of danger . . .
When her brother was arrested for murder, the ton shut its doors to Marietta Winters. No one would help her save him from the gallows – no one but Gabriel Noble. In exchange for taking the case, Gabriel requests three favors from the desperate young beauty, and Marietta has no other choice but to make a deal with the sinfully handsome devil.

Three nights of pleasure . . .
Searching for clues in the rough underbelly of London, Marietta must masquerade as a shamelessly wanton wench – much to Gabriel’s delight. But Marietta swears to herself that her passionate moans are just for show. She could never fall in love with such a maddening, arrogant, seductive stranger . . . could she?

Three nights of sin . . .
Night after night, she satisfies his wicked cravings. But soon Gabriel wants more from Marietta than just three nights of sin – and even a sordid secret in his past won’t prevent him from trying to possess her forever.

Read an excerpt here.

Sandy M’s review of Her Miracle Man by Karen Sandler
Contemporary Romance released by Silhouette Special Edition 1 May 08

Usually a book that revolves around two people for nearly the entire book can get boring and lose itself very quickly. I’m mildly surprised that doesn’t happen with this one. The author does a good job of keeping the story moving along, giving us one big mystery to solve, while conveying some deep-seated emotion.

On his way home from a supply run, Jack finds Mia alone in the middle of raging storm when she is thrown over the side of a bridge by lashing, whipping wind and rain. Thinking there’s no way she could have survived, he finds her hanging on with one hand for dear life. Little does he know this is the first sign of how strong this woman is.

Once she recovers from this ordeal, a new problem surfaces. Mia doesn’t remember who is she, where she’s from, nothing about her life. They assume Mia is her name because she wears an ankle bracelet that bears the name. Trying to get her to the local sheriff to help her find about herself is impossible because of a rock slide from the storm, so they’re in for the long haul for at least a month. Getting to know Mia is obviously difficult, but he finds himself attracted to her nonetheless, something he tries to nip in the bud. The anniversary of his wife’s death is looming and it’s never a good time for him, even though it’s been five years since she’s been gone.

Knowing her amensia is due to something traumatic in her life is enough to keep Mia from really trying to find out who she is. When her nightmares and flashbacks begin, they only prove to her she’s right and she’s glad to be safe with Jack, tucked away from the world in his log cabin. But his behavior confuses her. First he seems attracted to her, then he acts as though she doesn’t exist. Learning about the horror of his wife’s death and its aftermath explains a lot, but after tasting what it would be like to be with Jack on a permanent basis has her wishing and hoping for things she knows he’ll never want. She should find out who she is and what has happened in her life to make her lose her memory. Or should she fight for the life she knows would be good for both her and Jack?

For at least two-thirds of this book, we’re embroiled in Jack and Mia’s discovery of one another, their suspicions, their hurt, their anger, their love. And it is an emotional roller coaster. Only two other people are ever introduced ino the story, one by telephone and one by webcam, until the end of the book. Both of those characters bring enlightenment to the story in their own way.

I thought at first Jack’s oscillation between wanting Mia and then denying her would become a little much, but it actually worked once you begin to learn of the hell he went through after his wife’s demise, let alone just the facts of her death.

The ending seemed to come a little too quickly once we find out who the culprit is for Mia’s problems, but it’s not enough to take away from the intensity and the emotion throughout the book.

Grade: B

Summary:

When Jack Traynor resced an injured woman during a winter storm, it was only fitting that he give her a place to recuperate. But then Jack was stranded in his mountain cabin with a woman who couldn’t remember who she was. Still, the plight of his beautfiful, elusive visitor melted his heart.

Mia’s search for her identity— was Mia even her name?—was made more urgent by her sense of intruding on a man’s very private grief. Yet he made her feel protected. Wanted. At home. Suddenly, Mia wasn’t so sure she wanted her old life back—starting over with Jack migh be all she needed…

Read an excerpt.

Lawson’s review of Dark Obsession (A Novel of Blackheath Moor) by Allison Chase
Historical romance released by Signet Eclipse 6 May 08

Set to be a moody Gothic romance, Dark Obsession sounded like a good story. Deep passions, escape from scandal and a possibly haunted house out on the moors in Cornwall. Add in a mystery of how someone dies and the appearance of a ghostly helper, Gothic is something this story is packed with. Unfortunately, the dark passions it strives for and the players of the piece end up more temperamental that brooding and mysterious. Maybe it’s trying to hard to be Wuthering Heights.

Honora Thornegoode, called Nora, is in a bind. She’s a talented artist and wants to introduce new talent to London, but she’s been painted in a compromising portrait and to save her reputation she has to marry. Her father, a very unscrupulous businessman, picks Sir Grayson Lowell for her husband. He’s got a story as well, for gossip says that he murdered his own brother. Though her father thinks Gray is a noble fellow, Nora’s not so sure with the gossip.

They get married and after an awkward wedding night (her parents end up eavesdropping to make sure things happen), there’s some passion there and Nora is optimistic about her new husband. Especially after he does realize that the gossip about her was false and she was, in fact, a virgin. Gray is haunted by his brother’s death though, and packs Nora and himself off to Cornwall to escape the London gossips.

When they arrive at Blackheath Grange, Gray changes to a distant stranger who seems to alienate everyone. He withdraws into himself and lets Nora do what she wants with her painting, which she soon involves his nephew who hasn’t spoken a word since his father’s death the year before. Unraveling the mysteries of the Grange and dealing with the past starts to overwhelm everyone and Nora is afraid her bond with her new husband may not survive.

Nora, by turns, was insipid, then serene (after she’s become a woman on her wedding night), then just there. She had more personality at the beginning of the book rather than at the end. She doesn’t do anything particularly stupid, but she does behave in the way a true Gothic heroine would: without much sense. The sparks at the beginning she has with Gray go the way of her personality by the end. Kind of a shadow of what was and a dream for what could be.

Gray himself is okay, until he does something that I don’t think any hero should do. He becomes TSTL. Imagine a hero so involved in his own guilt and fears that he pushes everything away and just becomes more and more selfish not letting any light in to get him past his demons. He believes he’s going insane and shuts Nora out when she’s the only person that really believes he’s just dealing with his grief. He suspects his best friend of wrong doing and he always whines and bemoans the fact that he was the cause of his brother’s death.

Gray’s brother Tom, obviously had a positive effect on those around him. Just about everyone, except for Nora, blame themselves for his death. Even the ghost of his dead wife. It made for far too much melodrama in a story and took away from the bond between Gray and Nora. Which was pretty shaky and based more on mutual lust than anything else. By the end, the HEA doesn’t ring true and everything is tied up in a way that just doesn’t fit with the whiny tone of the rest of the story.

Though Gray’s friend Chad, Earl of Wycliffe, is a decent enough character and the interactions with Nora and Johnny, Gray’s nephew, through artistic endeavors are touching, it doesn’t outweigh the overly moody tone and stupid actions of Gray during the story.

Grade: D

Blurb:

They say that spirits haunt Blackheath Moor.

They wed in haste-Nora Thorngoode, to save her ruined reputation, and Grayson Lowell, to rescue his estate from foreclosure for unpaid debts. Each resents the necessity to exchange vows that will bind them for all time, and yet from the first, passion flames between them. quickly engulfing them in a sensual obsession.

But soon the lover that Nora married becomes a dark stranger to her, a man torn apart by guilt over his brother Tom’s recent, mysterious death.and driven half-mad by ghostly specters who demand that Gray expose the truth. Has Nora married a murderer whose wicked deeds blacken everything around them? Or, together, in the secret passageways of Blackheath Grange and along Cornwall ‘s remote coastline, can Gray and Nora discover what really happened that terrible night.and in setting free the troubled ghosts, free themselves as well?

Read an excerpt.

Sandy M’s review of The Last Man on Earth by Raine Weaver
Contemporary Romance released by Samhain 1 Apr 08

After reading the summary about this book again, I know why I wanted to read it. I thought to myself that an author could have fun with this premise, give a reader a little something different than the same tired, old story. That’s what I was hoping for. It’s not even close to what I got.

The characters in the book are likeable enough – when they’re not sniping at each other and vacillating between he loves me, she loves me not; she loves me, he loves me not. Russell and Iris have been friends for quite some time, both half in love with each other since those early years. He at least admits that to himself while she doesn’t realize it until she sees him in buff and then she gets a whole new look at their relationship, or at least how she’d like to now view it. Iris starts out the agressor, surprising old Russ big time. But after the usual interruptions so we don’t get the sex too soon in the book, she suddenly begins to question her feelings, his feelings, the universe, whatever. Just go for it, girl! Nope, she didn’t.

And Russell is really no better at it. He’s never had a way with words to begin with, so even though he has a whole night of seduction planned, he reverts to his tongue-tied ways after the first aborted go-round of pleasure. That’s when the vacilation starts. Heck, I got dizzy it went back and forth so many darned times. With no resolution. Any. Time. Soon.

And while all of this is going on inside, the world has gone crazy outside, or so they think. The weather definitly has let loose, I’ll give’em that. But they’ve gotten in their heads from brief glimpses on the TV that something terrible has happened to civilization as they know it – and then the power goes out. They can’t do a thing to find out what is going on because of the storm raging around them. The things that happen in that house for the next two days felt contrived. I know the author was going for suspense, trying to build the fear, the uncertainty, the unknown. Just didn’t turn out that way. It was way too gimicky, actually.

In fact, nothing worked in this book for me until near the end when Russ and Iris started being true to one another and themselves about their feelings. There was a couple of really nice spots there, but not enough to save the whole darned thing. It was just way too late.

Grade: D-

Read ShannonC’s review here.

Summary:

This is NOT a test…

Iris Foley and Russell Carr are old friends who share everything. As they indulge in a marathon viewing of old, campy horror films on a stormy Halloween night, they are suddenly faced with the very real possibility that something has happened to the outside world.

Just as the last gasp of the Emergency Broadcast System issues a dire warning, they are plunged into isolation and darkness. Naturally, they decide to do what any frightened, civic-minded young couple would do.

They decide to have sex.

Now if only old fears, a surprise adversary, and the Apocalypse wouldn’t keep getting in their way…

Read an excerpt here.

LauraD’s review of Lover Enshrined (Black Dagger Brotherhood, Book 6) by J.R. Ward
Paranormal romance released by Signet 3 Jun 08

Full disclosure: I am a J.R. Ward fanghirl. I have smoked the crack, I have consumed the KoolAid. However, I think I’m still capable of being honest about the good/bad/wonderful fraternal shift that is Lover Enshrined.

First of all, if you haven’t read any of the other Black Dagger Brotherhood Books, don’t start with this one. Ward doesn’t even try to give enough backstory to make sense of the multiple storylines making up the current book-you need to be familiar with the characters, their histories, and the world of the Brotherhood. In theory Lover Enshrined is the romance of Phury, the Brotherhood’s sensitive and drug addicted soul, who has been named Primale of the vampire race; and Cormia, who was named First Mate of the Chosen(a sort of pure vampire breeding pool).

However, as in Ward’s last book, the romance really takes a backseat to several other storylines-which is fine with me, because the continued development of John Michael, Quinn, and Blaylock, is obviously the future of this series. Three young warriors-in-training, great friends with a bond that will be both strengthened and tested. All three undergo separate rites of passage, and I can’t wait to see what happens to each of them next. For me, these guys were the strength of the book

The Lessening Society returns, and is a major part of the plotline. I’m not a big fan of the Lessers, I think they’re boring and they’ve never seemed to be much of an obstacle to the Brotherhood. There is a major plot twist involving the Omega, and readers do get a much better idea of where the Society came from and why they hate vampires.

Then of course, there are Rehvenge and Xhex, the sympaths. Rumor has it that the next BDB novel will be Rehvenge’s, and he certainly shows us something….new. And kinky. I kinda liked it. Xhex and John Michael manage to win hottest couple, without ever really touching — I’ll be looking forward to that book, and hoping Ward gives them plenty of private time.

Phury. Poor Phury. His romance got short shrift; he spent more time getting high than he did with Cormia. I can see Ward’s dilemma: she has to cure his addiction before he can get the girl. Unfortunately, he was so busy getting high and feeling guilty he never spent any time with Cormia. She is a typical BDB heroine; very bland. Their attraction felt very forced, and the ending of the whole Primale situation just didn’t feel right to me.

Some readers will be disappointed at the absence of old favorites. The Brotherhood Warriors make cameo appearances only, with the exception of Wrath. Shellans Beth, Bella and “Doc Jane” make appearances, and Jane still bugs me. Ward’s “cellies” will be excited to see a character that has existed on her messageboard for some time finally appear as part of the book mythology.

Overall, I gave Lover Enshrined a B. Yeah, the romance was weak. But I was invested in almost every character, lovedlovedloved the 3 young males (does that make me a vampire cougar?), and cannot wait to find out what happens next. More KoolAid, please!

Grade: B

Blurb:

As Primale of the Chosen, the fiercely loyal Phury has sacrificed himself for the good of his race. But his first mate, the Chosen Cormia, wants not only his body but his heart for herself. As tragedy looms over the Brotherhood’s mansion, Phury must decide between duty and love…

Read an excerpt.

Devon’s review of Walk on the Wild Side by Christine Warren
Paranormal Romance released by St. Martin’s 3 Jun 08

Christine Warren has become an auto-buy for me. I know when I read one of her books I will get an entertaining story anchored by a solid romance. Warren has a tight, crisp writing style, light and amusing without resorting to labored, wacky hijinks. The fifth installment in “The Others” series is another good read. Set in a US where the paranormal beings have recently revealed their existence to the humans who live alongside them, WWotWS shifts the action from New York City to Las Vegas. We are also introduced to a new group, the Red Rock Pride of Leos, or lion shifters.

At 24, Kitty Sugarman has just learned that she is not quite human. The Tennessee gal heads to Vegas to meet the father she never knew, as well as learn how to control her feline side. Max, the baas (second in command) of the Red Rock Pride is sent to meet Kitty and bring her to her father. They are immediately attracted to each other. But there are several obstacles in the way: he’s a rich city boy to her small town style, Kitty’s not at all sure how much she wants to get involved and somebody seems to be trying to kill her.

This was a engaging read that kept my interest throughout. Kitty is another lively heroine (Warren is good at these). Unfortunately, she had some strong TSTL tendencies. Why would you go dashing out into an unfamiliar desert landscape, where gunshots have been heard, just to prove you don’t have to listen to the hero? Her pride seems a bit silly at times, but I liked her otherwise. The hero was attractive, and not as domineering as Kitty made him out to be. Max mostly seemed concerned about the very real threats to her safety. They had nice chemistry, and made me believe in their romance despite the speedy time frame.

The secondary characters were vivid: Kitty’s ailing father, his awful ex-wife and kids, even the female Leo Kitty hits it off with. It seemed as if the differences between Kitty and Max, and her feeling that he was out of her league, was going to be a bigger issue than it ended up being. I would have liked to know how the Leos were impacted by the Unveiling of the Others. I couldn’t even tell if they were “out” or still hiding their identities. The Unveiling played a large part in the other books. This book had no connection to the previous ones, apart from mentioning the Unveiling.

On the other hand, readers jumping in now will have no problem following the storyline. Although I do recommend the prior books, I didn’t mind the change in direction. And though I had some quibbles, I still enjoyed the book and polished it off in a matter of hours. If you are looking for a light paranormal read to relax with a for a few hours, Walk on the Wild Side is a good choice. I plan to continue following this series.

Grade: B

From the Back Cover:

Kitty Sugarman is a lot tougher than her name implies. Still, she’s content with how her small- town life keeps her removed from all the changes happening in the world—like the Unveiling of the Others. That is, until a near-tragedy strikes and Kitty discovers she has abilities . . .thanks to a father she never knew was alive. He also happens to be a were-lion and leader of one of the most powerful Prides out West.

WALK ON THE WILD SIDE

When Kitty heads to Vegas to find out more about her father, it’s his sexy, seductive second-in-command or baas of the Pride, Marcus Stewart, who commands her attention. Now that she has tempted Marcus’s hunger for a mate, Kitty finds herself stuck in a vicious struggle for her father’s fortune, while deadly unrest stirs within the pride. Kitty’s rivals won’t rest until she’s gone for good, but Marcus will fight until his last breath to save her…even if it means going against the pride.

No excerpt found

Other books in the series:

Limecello’s review of Bought by a Millionaire by Heidi Betts
Contemporary Romance released by Silhouette Desire on 1 Feb 05

I’m pretty sure I’ve never read a book by Heidi Betts before, and I’m not particularly sure why. (I’m a big fan of the Silhouette Desire categories.) I found this book very enjoyable. The plot and the characters were all unlike other stories I’ve read, in an extremely favorable manner.

The premise of this book is unusual – the hero and heroine enter into a business deal – Burke Bishop wants to be a father, and Shannon Moriarity is the woman he chooses to be the mother of his child. Effectively, she’s a surrogate. Shannon goes through a vigorous interview process, examinations by doctors, background checks, grades starting from kindergarten, the works. She’s your average woman, with a spine of steel. She’s 26 and a student, because she took two years off to take care of her mom. Shannon also works two jobs in order to keep her mom in an assisted living center.

Burke is your typical romance hero – successful, well rounded, and emotionally stunted. He’s completely competent in every area, other than knowing how he feels, or how to deal with his feelings. To his credit, he’s attracted to Shannon from the start, and pursues her in an entirely charming and respectful way.

The chemistry between Shannon and Burke is explosive, but they’re both well grounded and their story is realistic. Shannon tries to resist the attraction she feels to Burke because she knows a relationship between the two of them will never work. Burke is extremely solicitous, not just because Shannon is pregnant with his child and he’s attracted to her, but because he’s a genuinely nice guy. While he’s a major business mogul, he’s a regular guy, and willing to stop and take care of the things that are truly important in life – people.

A short read, but very satisfying. The way the relationship develops between Shannon and Burke is extremely fast, but natural. The two create sparks from the start. I also like how they were each willing to stand up for themselves, and be honest. If you like Desires, I definitely recommend this book – I plan on reading Ms. Bett’s back list as well.

Grade: B-

Summary:

Millionaire Bachelor Seeks Heir

Chicago’s Most Eligible Bachelor, Burke Bishop, wanted a child-but didn’t want to be shackled by marriage. Surrogacy seemed the only solution, and when he met gorgeous Shannon Moriarity, he knew he’d found the perfect mother for his baby. For reasons she wouldn’t say, Shannon accepted his high-price offer and requested they keep things strictly business.

They conceived without touching, yet Burke found himself craving Shannon’s warmth and demanded she move into his penthouse. Soon, the close quarters elevated their relationship into intimate territory where neither could deny the bond they shared. But when their contract was fulfilled, would they find a prize richer than money could buy?

Read an excerpt here.

Shannon C.’s review of Through the Veil by Shiloh Walker
Fantasy romance released by Berkley Sensation 3 Jun 08

I like Shiloh Walker. She seems to be one of the most together people out there in romancelandia, and, what’s even better for me as a reader, she is one of those authors I can turn to for a nice comfort read. I may not love all her books, but I can count on her to tell me a fun story with engaging characters that I will be rooting for. Plus, well, she gave me an e-ARC, for which she is automatically due kudos and cookies.

The plot centers around Lee, a graphic artist who keeps waking up after receiving strange bruises all over her body. She does not know that her bruises come because she has been entering a completely different world in her dreams, where she must fight the invading hordes who would destroy her allies. Among those for whom she fights is Kalen, a devastatingly sexy man with the face of a dark angel, who is determined that Lee should come from her world into his, to be with him and to embrace her destiny.

I liked Kalen and Lee well enough. They are both reluctant heroes, forced by the hand that fate has dealt them to fight a war they can’t win. I particularly enjoyed watching Kalen fight his attraction to Lee, knowing that he couldn’t have anything soft in his life. Lee herself is less compelling, because though she comes to fight alongside Kalen, it took her a little too long to realize how important she was. She never quite reaches ‘annoyingly shrill’, but she does come close a time or two. I would have also liked to see more of the romance between herself and Kalen, because it is set aside for a large percent of the overall plot.

The plot starts out a bit more slowly than I’d have liked. We get a lot of introduction to the world that Ms. Walker has created, which has a tendency to bog the story down. With all the battles and magical destruction, this is a shame because I think this story would have been vastly better if there were more of a suspenseful element to the plot. As it was, all the explanations and the struggles Lee has to deal with in order to come to terms with her purpose in the story started to feel a bit old after a while and I just wanted Lee to get on with it.

The secondary characters were interesting. It looks like Ms. Walker has left herself some more room to play in this world, because several of the characters definitely need their own stories told. I also didn’t expect one of Lee’s allies to be one of the characters introduced, and I was startled by who the surprise villain was.

I keep bitching that I don’t get interesting enough settings in fantasy romances, and then I bitch when things are unusual. This is not your normal paranormal romance, nor your normal fantasy, and though I think the story could have been a lot stronger than it was, I still think fans of Ms. Walker’s books or fans of fantasy romance should pick this one up.

Grade: B-

Summary:

Found wandering in a field as a child, Lee Ross was given a name by the state and placed in a foster home–without anyone realizing that she wasn’t entirely human. All her life, she’s tried to dismiss the odd dreams that have plagued her, dreams of monsters creeping through the night and a man fighting demons by her side. But the bruises she wakes up with are all too real to ignore. . .

Then the man from her dreams appears–in the flesh. His name is Kalen, and he insists that her destiny lies in his world, the world of her dreams. To save their people, he mist convince Lee to give up everything she knows, follow her heart, and cross over into the Under Realm–even though once she does, she’ll never be able to return.

You can read an excerpt here.

Sandy M’s review of Ties That Bind by Jaid Black and Lora Leigh
Contemporary Erotic Romance anthology released by Ellora’s Cave 29 Aug 03

This book surprised me. I’m a huge Lora Leigh fan. There’s not been a book of hers that I haven’t loved so far. The few books I’ve read by Jaid Black I haven’t cared for. In Ties That Bind it’s the Black story that I liked best. Go figure.

Sins of the Father by Jaid Black

JD is determined to have what Lawrence Morgan, his mentor and pseudo father, promised him — Morgan’s daughter, Candy. But Morgan betrayed JD and then had the gall to die before JD could exact his revenge. Now he’s finally got his goal in sight, his revenge will see fruition. He’s backing Candy into a corner, forcing her into marriage to save her father’s business and her family, but giving herself to JD totally and fully, to be at his command night and day. He plans to own her, to use her, have her bear his heirs, and never let her forget what she did to him.

Candy has impeded JD’s tries to take over Morgan Chemicals twice before, but this time her success and her luck run out. She’s dumbstruck at what JD wants of her, but as much as she tells herself she will find a way out of his web, her body and her heart tell a different story. She’s been in love with the man for so long, knowing he’d never want someone like her, and now that he has her, it’s not at all what she’d dreamed. He only wants revenge while she wants love. But he brings out her sexuality, shows he what it’s like to be dominated and ravaged. Is it enough? Will he ever give her more?

While it’s blackmail that is used to coerce Candy into their marriage and forcing her to give her body to him when he demands — and JD demands all from her frequently — that didn’t matter to me in this story. I ended up liking JD because he’s not what he seems. Even though he was hurt by her father, he’s man enough to let the past go when he finds the truth and sensitive enough to confess his feelings when the time is right. Candy is a strong woman in business and loves her family, and that’s what forces her to agree to JD outrageous but sensuous contract of marriage. When they finally truly talk, things become so much better between them and a good and happy life is possible.

Grade: B+

Surrender by Lora Leigh

Tess has dreamed of and loved Cole for years, ever since her father married Cole’s sister. But even when he finally makes his move to let her know he wants her, she refuses to believe him. The fact that her mother is bitter about the divorce and her father’s marrying a younger, more sexually open woman don’t help matters. Cole has plans of his own, however, and lures Tess into spending a week with him, a week full of erotic pleasure and pain, something she’s fearful of but something that will be heaven to experience with Cole. The fear of finding out he won’t love her also plays havoc with her willingness to give in to his expertise.

Suffice it to say, Tess does give in and spends the week with Cole. He overloads her in every sexual way possible, ending in one explosive menge a tois — explosive in more ways than one. While the story is very erotic and Cole is alpha to the max, there’s just something missing in him from the usual Leigh hero that I love. He is sensitive a few times towards Tess, but maybe not enough for all his demands of surrender. I’m thinking maybe because it’s a short story and there wasn’t enough time to really get to know his character better like we would in a full-length book. He was too hard and demanding.

Grade: C

Summary:

Sins of the Father by Jaid Black

Candy Morgan has always felt badly about the fact that her father duped and then fired his former protégée, James Douglas Mahoney III. Worse yet, she knows that JD has always believed her to be a part of the conspiracy to get rid of him. When JD comes to power during a hostile takeover of Morgan Chemicals, Candy realizes he will want revenge against her family so she prepares herself to be ousted from the company. But much to her surprise, JD doesn’t oust her. Instead, he wants his vendetta against the Morgans settled in an entirely different fashion, in a way Candy never could have imagined in her wildest, most wicked dream…

Surrender by Lora Leigh

Cole has wanted Tess for years. And he’s warned her of this several times. He’s also warned her HOW he wants her. Tied down in his bed, under his domination, surrendering to his desires…

Read an excerpt of Sins of the Father here and Surrender here.

Shannon C.‘s review of Stone of Cruento by Charlene Leatherman
Fantasy romance eBook published by Cerridwen Press 1 May 08

There are good books, books so wonderful I finish them with a sigh and relax into my happy place of reader bliss, books so great I want to visit the world the author has created again and again.

Sadly, Stone of Cruento is not one of these books. In fact, when I was done the only reason I reached my happy place at all was because I was relieved the book was over. Therefore, if you happen to be Charlene Leatherman, a fangirl, friend, or sockpuppet, I would advise either not reading this review or doing so with lots of fortifying booze. Also, if you want to read further, be cautioned that there are spoilers. I try to avoid spoilers, but in this case, I really can’t.

Now that I’ve stuck the disclaimer on top of this review, let me just be blunt. I hated this book. Nothing worked for me–not the characters, not the plot, not the writing style itself, and let’s forget about the romance.

The plot is a great big mess. We meet our plucky, strong-willed, resourceful and probably beautiful heroine, half-vampire Claren, who basically acts as a one-woman neighborhood watch. She lives with her best friend Tina who largely exists to provide moral support and then disappears conveniently from Claren’s thoughts for large chunks of the story, and Belgretor, an ogre who rescued her shortly after she became a vampire. Anyway, Claren can’t control the vampiric lust, so she ends up snacking on an inconvenient number of humans and comes under the attention of the vampire king, who wants a favor done. All she has to do is give the vampire king a stone trapped on an alien world and he says he’ll leave her alone. But soon Claren is embroiled in a conflict on the alien world of Cruento, along with the vampire’s viceroy, the sinfully sexy Daniel, her ogre friend and protector, and a centaur whom she ends up marrying.

Yes, kids, you read that right. Claren has not one, not even two, but three love interests. I also fully admit that the whole three men, one woman dynamic is why I requested the book for review in the first place, so, really, I have only myself to blame that it didn’t work out.

Claren herself is probably the most well-developed character of the four, so it’s rather a shame that she’s a Mary Sue. And she develops superpowers at an alarming rate throughout the course of the book. I never particularly felt that there was any conflict with her character, and she seemed entirely capable of beating down the forces of evil without breaking a sweat.

As for her men, they’re archetypes. There’s the young, hotheaded one, the beautifully arrogant sexy one, and the big dumb sweet lummox who inevitably gets smart as the book progresses. Other than that, I felt there wasn’t enough about any of them to make me identify with them, or, for that matter to find any of them particularly hot, so the romance never connected. Also, and here is where that spoiler comes in, one of them dies. He doesn’t even get a heroic death–it’s rather ignominious in fact, but it is something to keep in mind should you be wondering how the menage a quatre thing gets resolved.

The other thing about the romance that bugged me is that there weren’t really enough sex scenes that didn’t take place inside of dreams. Dream sex and weird voyeur sex is all we get, and since all of it was rather mystical, it didn’t work for me.

The plot is rather disjointed too. It feels episodic, which mostly I don’t mind, except that in this case I felt that events didn’t flow well from one to another. Also, certain key scenes were not given enough detail while we agonize for pages about other events.

The other thing I noticed was the writing style. Every sentence felt the same. They were short. They were choppy. There was a distinct feel of “Claren did this. Then Daniel did that. Then Belgretor did the other thing.” I would have killed for some more variety, even some additional punctuation, not to mention a few dependent clauses. I don’t know if this is the sort of thing, though, that most readers would notice. I was listening to the book on one of my gadgets, which reads the book with synthesized speech, so the choppiness of the writing was really noticeable and I kept hoping someone would take the author aside and tell her the advice every English teacher has given me since high school–read your stuff aloud. You might be able to solve that problem.

With characters I actively disliked, a plot that was, quite frankly, a mess, a romance I didn’t buy at all, and some stylistic issues, I’m afraid I can’t find anything to recommend about this book.

Grade: F

Summary:

Claren Maxwell felt she was misplaced, like she belonged somewhere else. Even as a vampire she was not like the others. Claren didn’t like to kill. She avoided intimacy with human men. It was too dangerous. Claren wanted to fit in. She wanted to be loved and protected. So she dreamed, but the dreams were becoming too real. She dreamt of three men. In real life she would have to choose one, right?

The three men in her dreams materialize. Belgretor, a giant of a man from Cruento, protects her. Daniel is a vampire from Earth who desires her. Jamros is a centaur from Cruento who is drawn to her by destiny. Together the four of them must find a way to stop the destruction of Earth and Cruento.

Can Claren choose between the three men she loves while saving the worlds she inadvertently put in jeopardy?

Reader Advisory: Set in the same world as Prophecy of Vithan, Stone of Cruento contains graphic sex that includes ménages à trois.

You can read an excerpt here.

Devon’s Review of Fallen (7 Deadly Sins, Book 2) by Erin McCarthy
Paranormal Romance released by Jove 29 Apr 08

Fallen is the second book in Erin McCarthy’s darker paranormal series. It has a gorgeous cover, an intriguing premise revolving around unsolved murders, a tormented hero, and an unusual heroine. While there were certain elements that I enjoyed, these parts did not add up to a particularly strong whole.

Fallen angel Gabriel was doomed to remain on the mortal plain, chained to New Orleans until he completed his punishment. He became addicted to alcohol, particularly absinthe. One night he passed out, awakening to find his mistress brutally murdered. While Gabriel was acquitted of the crime, he has always wondered what happened that night. Did he do it? If not, who else did it and why? In the present day, Gabriel is a true crime writer still living in New Orleans. Intrigued by the parallels between a recent Florida murder and that long ago crime, he invites the victim’s daughter, a forensic pathologist named Sara Michaels, to collaborate on a project to investigate the two events.

The murder mystery aspect was very intriguing. I enjoyed the flashbacks and the records that revealed the earlier murder and subsequent investigation. The idea of a connection to Sara’s mother’s murder was interesting. But the whole thing kind of lost steam. Sara kept an important secret regarding the two incidents from Gabriel, for no good reason. Then it was Gabriel’s turn to look like a bonehead, when he made a discovery that he should have noticed long before, if he had been a decent researcher. The mystery was resolved rather abruptly, with too many loose ends. That was just a fake out, but the final resolution still felt weak to me. With a strong mystery subplot, I want a climax with some impact and more explanation.

The hero and heroine are interesting characters. Both are a bit emotionally distant, both have struggled with addiction. They had a great friendship, but a rather boring romance. I’m not even sure why. I just could not figure out why, when and how Gabriel fell in love with Sara. I thought they made great friends, but I was supremely unmoved by their passion.

There were things here that I liked, but overall the book felt a bit disjointed. Perhaps too much had to be packed in: the paranormal worldbuilding, the murder mystery past and present, the love story. The focus jumped around, and by the end, no aspect was fully developed. This was my first read by McCarthy, and I’d be interested in reading her lighter stuff, which I’ve heard raves about. But I’d only recommend this to fans of the author or those who like fallen angels/demons.

Grade: C

Read LauraD’s review here.

Blurb:

New Orleans, 1880s. Sent to watch over the decadent city, the angel Gabriel loses himself in the liquid pleasure of absinthe. So when his mistress, Anne, is murdered—and all evidence points to him— a foggy Gabriel cannot be sure he didn’t do it. His penance: to be forever denied love. Should he seek pleasure with a woman, she’ll know the depths of despair.

New Orleans, today. Hoping to unlock that unsolved mystery, forensic scientist Sara Michaels, Anne’s great-great-granddaughter, meets the ageless, tormented Gabriel. To work together would mean suppressing their mutual attraction—he can’t allow himself to touch Sara, for her own sake.

And for Sara, already familiar with the dangers of addiction, Gabriel poses the ultimate threat to her self-control. But can the desire burning between them turn into their salvation—or lead them both to destruction?

Read an excerpt here.