Review: "Bewitch" by Felicity Heaton

Payne despises the incubus side of his mixed genes and refuses to give it free rein, but when the wickedly sexy Elissa offers him a possible way to help a friend, he finds it difficult to resist paying the price, even if it will be his undoing--one night of passion at her command.

Elissa is a witch down on her luck until Payne comes crashing into her life. The dangerously handsome male is the key to fulfilling a promise she made, but he is also forbidden, and surrendering to the wildfire passion he stirs within her means risking ruin and death.

When one incredible night of fulfilling their deepest fantasies leads to more than just a pathway to keeping a promise and saving a friend, will they be able to overcome the barriers that stand between them and forever?
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Bewitch is the fifth book in Felicity Heaton's Vampire Erotic Theater series.  

Each book in this series just gets better and better.  I didn't really care for Payne in the other books but he's almost up there with Snow now... is that possible?  Elissa was a powerful, head-strong heroine.  Watching her help Payne through his internal turmoil between his incubus side and his vampire side only made me like her more.  Payne realizes early on that she is his destined mate but doesn't take her for granted or assume that will make her want to be with him.  He's so protective of her but not in an overly domineering way which I loved.    

This was certainly one of the more emotional books of the series.  It's also the first to take place almost entirely outside of the theater. Lots of action plus some steamy romance makes this a must read.  And the best news... Snow's story will be next.  It's expected to be released this May!

Review: "Enslave" by Felicity Heaton

"Enslave" is Felicity Heaton's fourth book in her "Vampire Erotic Theatre" series.

Andreau has been working at Antoine's Vampire Erotic Theatre until he can make good on his plans to start his own business in Spain.  His love life was the last thing on his mind until a deadly succubus visits the theater.  Varya is a succubus that feeds from the energy of others, never taking time to get to know any of her hosts.  When she meets Andreau and learns of his dark, shadowed aura she know her clan's warnings tell her to stay far away from him but that doesn't stop her mysterious draw towards him.  Andreau knows he needs to get her far away from the theater but fate seems to have other plans for them.  If they give into the passion they're feeling will they each survive it when even her kisses can be deadly?

All of the stories in this series are short, at 100+ pages.  They're great for when you need a quick read.  Felicity Heaton has a way with these hot vampires and I love that she's adding more to the paranormal demographics as the series progresses.  Andreau and Varya's smoking hot chemistry really made the story.  I love a man who will do anything to make his woman happy and is always looking out for her best interest!  This is a tale of forbidden romance but Varya definitely doesn't let that stop her.  She knows what she wants and isn't afraid to go for it.  We also get to know a lot more about Payne that we've only gotten glimpses of so far in the series.  I'm interested to get to know more about him and of course more about Snow.  Snow seems like the ultra alpha-dangerous-bad boy with a huge heart.  I would love to see him overcome his blood addiction and find someone to make him happy.  Ms. Heaton gets a little more graphic in some of the theater scenes in this one so it's not for the faint at heart in that department.  Andreau and Varya's relationship was a heart-warming, passionate and forbidden romance which made for a great read!  As usual with this series, this book could certainly be read alone but you get a little deeper story out of the side characters by reading the series in order.

Review: "Once Burned" by Jeaniene Frost

     "Once Burned" is Jeaniene Frost's first novel in the Night Prince novels.  This is her second spin-off series based on her wildly popular Night Huntress series.

Snyopsis:
     After a tragic accident scarred her body and destroyed her dreams, Leila never imagined that the worst was still to come: terrifying powers that let her channel electricity and learn a person's darkest secrets through a single touch. Leila is doomed to a life of solitude...until creatures of the night kidnap her, forcing her to reach out with a telepathic distress call to the world's most infamous vampire...

     Vlad Tepesh inspired the greatest vampire legend of all--but whatever you do, don't call him Dracula. Vlad's ability to control fire makes him one of the most feared vampires in existence, but his enemies have found a new weapon against him - a beautiful mortal with powers to match his own. When Vlad and Leila meet, however, passion ignites between them, threatening to consume them both. It will take everything that they are to stop an enemy intent on bringing them down in flames.
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      I think most of us Night Huntress fans can agree that we have long been awaiting Vlad's book.  He's one of those dark, mysterious characters that just begs you to find out more about him.  Vlad is one of the most deadly and ruthless vampires and yet we got to see a little of his softer side with Cat in previous books.  While we didn't get quite as much of his wry humor I was looking forward to, it was still there.  Sometimes just with a cleverly placed smirk but it was there.

      While this is a spin-off, it can most certainly be read as it's own series.  There are references and an appearance or two from some of the old characters and while this was fun for me (as a huge Cat and Bones fan), it certainly wouldn't take away from anyone who hasn't read that series.

      Leila starts off a little like our typical heroine in distress, but quickly grows into much more.  We start out with her trying to hide her powers into what Vlad helps her become... and no it's probably not what you might be thinking.  I like that this wasn't a love at first site relationship as well.  I certainly would have thought less of Leila if she could have felt that way knowing how ruthless Vlad is and what he's capable of.  The same could be said for Vlad.  He didn't become this cold, calculated killer without a reason and it would have been rather unbelievable if he immediately fell in love with her.
     
     This is certainly more of an urban fantasy than a paranormal romance, with lots of action and a riveting story line.  Don't get me wrong, there's some romantic scenes as well but that's not the only focus of the book.  I love that Jeanine Frost can write these amazing books that you might read for the romance but care about the suspense and action part of it just as much.  I had a hard time setting this one down to go to bed.  It was a great book and I'm looking forward to the next one!  If Vlad and Leila continue at this rate they just might give Cat and Bones a run for their money.

Shhh... Don't tell Bones I said that last line ;)

Giveaway and Excerpt from "Shadow Rising" by Kendra Leigh Castle

Thanks to the wonderful Kendra Leigh Castle for this great excerpt from Shadow Rising and for offering a signed copy to the winner of the giveaway!  Just fill out the form below to enter.  You can also check out my review of this latest book in her Dark Dynasties series here.


Synopsis:

      As one of the Grigori, a noble vampire dynasty shrouded in mystery, Ariane has spent her life hidden away in the desert. Like all of her kind, she is a watcher, fated to observe, forbidden to act. Yet when her best friend Sammael vanishes, she defies all rules and flees her safe haven to bring him home.     
     A shape-shifting assassin for the House of Shadows, Damien Tremaine is hired to locate Sammael. His hunt for the wayward Grigori leads him to Ariane, the rogue vamp who stands between him and his bounty. Damien never lets emotion interfere with his work, but a single touch from the sexy, beguiling vampire shatters his self-control. Drawn together by their common goal, they begin an alliance of necessity that soon becomes one of desire. But when the secret at the dark heart of the Grigori comes to light, Damien and Ariane must make a choice that could bind them eternally . . . or tear them-and everything they care about-apart.



Here's an excerpt just for you:
     Slowly, the tension beneath his hand eased, and the woman sank back down onto her stool. Damien released her reluctantly. His hand tingled where he’d touched her. For a moment, her awkwardness vanished, and the woman looking back at him was every bit as cold and ancient as her dynasty mark proclaimed her to be.
     He wondered fleetingly if playing with a Grigori this way was wise, then brushed it aside. He’d lived for centuries doing just as he liked, and it had served him well enough. Why stop now?
     “I’ll stay. For now. But I’m not going to entertain you…cat.” Her gaze dropped to the concealed top of Damien’s right collarbone. There, beneath his shirt, was the mark of his bloodline, a trio of entwined black cats fashioned into a Celtic circle. It branded him as Cait Sith, a cat-shifter.
     And without looking at it, she shouldn’t have been able to tell so quickly.
     “How did you know?” Damien asked.
     The woman shrugged, a dainty lift of shoulders exposed by the sleeveless little black dress she wore. The movement made him look below her neck, which he instantly knew he shouldn’t have done. He could stay distracted for weeks by the wonders showcased by that dress. With some effort, he dragged his eyes back up to meet hers.
     “I’m good at identifying who’s who,” she said, her tone defensive. “I studied.”
     “Really. And what identified me?”
     She turned her head to glare into her drink. “Does it matter? You’re just going to make fun of me, whatever I say.”
     The accusation startled him…more because she was probably right. And for whatever reason, the knowledge bothered him.
     “I won’t. I’m genuinely curious.”
     She didn’t even look at him. “I doubt that. You’re just bored. Go away.”
     Damien watched her face, seeing the frustration likely borne of fumbling her way through modern vampire society without a lifeline for at least a couple of weeks, and something in him softened. He didn’t bother to try and analyze it, but his voice sounded strange to his own ears as he sought to reassure her.
     "I’m not leaving until you tell me. But I’m happy to drag this out if you’d rather.”
     She looked up at him through long, dark lashes with such world-weariness that he had to fight back the urge to pull her into his lap and nuzzle her. The idea had some merit, actually…but Damien was pretty sure that would just put them back at square one. The longer they looked at one another, the more Damien had the unnerving sensation that she was sizing him up, judging him by some measure he couldn’t begin to guess at. The intensity of her focus on him was as pleasurable to Damien as a caress. To his shock, he had to swallow back an inadvertent purr. He didn’t purr for anyone. Anyone. And certainly not for something as cheap as a little attention.
     At last, she relented with a sigh. “It’s your eyes, for one thing. The pupils do some interesting things in the light. They’re very feline, if you look close enough. But mostly it was just the way you move. I’d read about it, but the words didn’t really do you justice.”
     He lifted his brows, surprised by the simple honesty of her answer. “Oh?”
     She nodded, obviously an eager student of a subject Damien was inclined to find ridiculously flattering. He didn’t think any woman had ever remarked on the way he moved before…out of bed, that was.
     “Yes,” she said. “Very graceful, very sinuous. Very…” She trailed off, and it seemed she’d been about to say a lot more than she’d intended. Damien watched her pale cheeks flush again.
     “Well. It’s unique anyway. So…” She looked a bit at a loss, grabbed the martini she’d been nursing, and took a large gulp. Then she looked at him over the rim of the glass, eyes glittering in the dim light, and Damien found himself momentarily lost again. All vampires were beautiful. It actually got boring after a while. But this one was damned near a work of art. Sculptors would have carved her likeness on temples; famed poets would have composed masterpieces extolling her beauty and then drank themselves to death over her. He could imagine it easily.
     Except that she acted like she’d been locked in a closet for the last five hundred years.

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Review: "A Hunger So Wild" by Sylvia Day

     A Hunger So Wild by Silvia Day is the second book in the Renegade Angels series.  There are also a couple novella's in the series as well if you're looking to stay in the Renegade Angels world a little longer.

     Elijah is one of the rare Alpha's still leading his pack through the revolt against the Sentinels angels. When a new virus begins sweeping through the vampires, Vashti is forced to seek an alliance with Elijah.  The vampires and lycans are natural enemies and it's only made infinitely worse by the fact that the lycans are the ones that killed Vashti's mate.  Elijah has his own beef with Vashti as well, since she killed his best friend in an attempt at seeking vengeance for her mate's death.  When the lycan Alpha and the vampires second in command get together for an alliance, sparks will definitely fly, in more ways than one.  Learning where their true loyalities lie may prove more difficult than either of them imagined.

     Sylvia Day has certainly taken a new twist on the vampires, angels and werewolves here.  In this series they are all angels in one form or another, or were at one time.  There's a little murder mystery, with the plot and cover up of the murder of Vashti's mate.  We certainly have some mystery/action going on trying to find a cure for the vampire virus.  Then of course we have some romance... my favorite!  There's definitely something between Vashti and Elijah from the beginning but with the different "species" factor and the past troubles between them, it makes for some serious tension.  I love that Elijah is the ultimate male alpha character without being full of himself.  He seems to genuinely care about all the members of his pack and doesn't treat anyone as though he's better than them.  That's hard to pull off with such a tough hero.  There's just one scene that was a little disconcerting between the two of them but I wont go into details and spoil anything.   Overall, they had great chemistry.

      I have recently read several of Sylvia Day's books and have really enjoyed her writing style.  Well, for the most part... I did kind of want to scream at her "What, are you kidding me!" after reading the ending of this book.  It's not so much that it was a cliffhanger just that I wanted a little more closure at the end and well, just more of their story.  I actually had to give myself a couple days before I wrote the review  because I had to let myself get over the ending first.  I am most certainly looking forward to the next book in the series.  I'm also very intrigued with the head of the vampires, Syre, and his story.  Hopefully we'll get that soon.

     If you're not familiar with Sylvia Day's work check out her website here.  She writes a wide range of novels: historical, contemporary, fantasy, paranormal and more.  If you're a fan of Fifty Shades of Grey by E.L. James, Sylvia Day even has the Crossfire Trilogy which reminds me a lot of that.

Cover Reveal: "Edge of Dawn" by Lara Adrian

Check out this hot cover for Lara Adrian's upcoming book, "Edge of Dawn!"

This is the 11th book in the "Midnight Breed" series.  It is schedule to be released January 22, 2013 (available for pre-order now).  

If you haven't read this series yet, now is the time to catch up.  Lara Adrian has created an amazing world of vampires that is like no other.  This is one of my favorite series and I can't wait for this next novel... it's certainly going to be a game changer!






Twenty years after the Order’s vanquish of their chief adversary, conflicts and skirmishes continue for the Breed, violence escalating toward war. Peace seems elusive, but the Order and their allies will not rest until it is won. 


For Mira, raised with the Order from the time she was a child and now the formidable captain of her own team of warriors for the Order, the fight is personal. War has cost her a great deal, though nothing more precious than the life of someone she loved dearly. Vowed to avenge his death, Mira blazes into every battle like a Valkyrie, poised to make her enemies pay. Until an unexpected encounter with a rebel leader brings her face-to-face with a startling truth, and a betrayal that will cut through her every defense . . . straight to the core of the wounded woman whose faith has never been tested more, nor her heart more deeply torn.

Set of Lara Adrian and Gena Showalter bookmarks to one lucky person who comments.  Would love to hear your thoughts on The Midnight Breed series for those of you that have read it.  Especially where you think it will go with the 20 year time jump with this book.

Teaser Trailer for Breaking Dawn - Part 2

The official "Breaking Dawn - part 2" teaser trailer was released today.  The movie release date is still quite a while away so I'm sure we'll see lots more clips before November 16th, 2012 but this already makes it hard to wait.

Review: "Shadow Rising" by Kendra Leigh Castle

Shadow Rising is the third book in the Dark Dynasties Series by Kendra Leigh Castle and is due to  be released July 31st, 2012.  I know... it's a little ways off, but just wanted to share early since I loved it.


     As one of the Grigori, a noble vampire dynasty shrouded in mystery, Ariane has spent her life hidden away in the desert. Like all of her kind, she is a watcher, fated to observe, forbidden to act. Yet when her best friend Sammael vanishes, she defies all rules and flees her safe haven to bring him home.


     A shape-shifting assassin for the House of Shadows, Damien Tremaine is hired to locate Sammael. His hunt for the wayward Grigori leads him to Ariane, the rogue vamp who stands between him and his bounty. Damien never lets emotion interfere with his work, but a single touch from the sexy, beguiling vampire shatters his self-control. Drawn together by their common goal, they begin an alliance of necessity that soon becomes one of desire. But when the secret at the dark heart of the Grigori comes to light, Damien and Ariane must make a choice that could bind them eternally . . . or tear them-and everything they care about-apart.
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Who knew a purr could be so sexy!

     The world building in this series is excellent.  The author has created a whole new take on vampires, shifters and otherworldly creatures in the Dark Dynasties.  In this book we get our first look into the world of the Grigori dynasty.  They are the most mysterious group of "vampires" and hardly anyone knows even the tiniest details about them.  The Grigori outcast, Ariane, leaves the confines of the Grigori compound in search of her missing friend Sammael.  While most of her kind have been conditioned over hundreds of years to have very little emotion, Ariane is different.  She cares deeply about her missing friend and will do almost anything to find him.  During her initial attempts to blend into the outside world and begin her hunt for Sammael, she runs into competition.   Damien, a cat shifter, turns out to be hired to find the same man.  When it becomes obvious that Ariane has no plans to back off on her hunt they must decide whether to compete or work together.
     I love that Ariane is almost as much of a bad-ass as Damien is.  She's not your typical damsel-in-distress type of heroine.  She has plenty of her own "weapons" at her disposal and is not afraid to use them.  She holds her own with Damien both physically and mentally.  Damien, for all his faults, definitely has a softer side... even it's buried very deeply behind his tough guy exterior.  Oh, and that purr.  Who would ever think a purr could be so sexy?!  In my head it's a very deep gravely purr :)  Damien definitely can put on the charm when he wants to.
     While these books could certainly be read on their own, it does bring more to the table when read in order to get the whole on going story arc between the dynasties.  The dynasty structure could be a little complex feeling if you just jump in mid-series but you could definitely still enjoy the story on it's own merit.  I'm loving this series and can't wait for the next one!

Review: "Deadlocked" by Charlaine Harris

Deadlocked is the 12th book in the Sookie Stackhouse Novels.

Back cover synopsis:
It’s vampire politics as usual around the town of Bon Temps, but never before have they hit so close to Sookie’s heart…
Growing up with telepathic abilities, Sookie Stackhouse realized early on there were things she’d rather not know. And now that she’s an adult, she also realizes that some things she knows about, she’d rather not see—like Eric Northman feeding off another woman. A younger one.  There’s a thing or two she’d like to say about that, but she has to keep quiet—Felipe de Castro, the Vampire King of Louisiana (and Arkansas and Nevada), is in town. It’s the worst possible time for a human body to show up in Eric’s front yard—especially the body of the woman whose blood he just drank.  Now, it’s up to Sookie and Bill, the official Area Five investigator, to solve the murder. Sookie thinks that, at least this time, the dead girl’s fate has nothing to do with her. But she is wrong. She has an enemy, one far more devious than she would ever suspect, who’s set out to make Sookie’s world come crashing down.

Unfortunately I was let down again.  I am a huge fan of the Sookie Stackhouse Novels, up through book 9 at least.  This is a unique fantasy series that brings us a whole new take on vamps, weres and fairies.  That being said, the last three books have been truly lacking, each one more so than the last.  The characters seem to be changing to suit that particular book now and not staying true to the people we've come to know throughout the series, especially Eric, Sam and Alcide.  It seemed like they had totally different personalities in this book.  I'm a huge Eric fan so of course I was also disappointed that there wasn't more Eric/Sookie time but I could have forgiven that if I was wrapped up in the story.  There was a main story arc, but for the most part it seemed like random things going on in Sookie's day to day life.  I was hesitant to even write a review on this book as I don't want to deter anyone from reading this series if they haven't started it yet.  Like I said, it was an amazing series for many books and I would still highly recommend it.  The next book will be the last of the series, which I can only guess that perhaps the author realizes that it's time to end it as well.  On a positive note, thanks to the Charlaine Harris series and HBO we will have a brand new season of True Blood starting this Sunday!

Cover Reveal: "Lover at Last" by J.R. Ward

The cover and title for the upcoming novel in The Black Dagger Brotherhood series was released today!  This will be the story, finally, of Quinn and Blaylock.  J.R. Ward has tortured us throughout the series with their tumultuous relationship, or lack thereof.  We got some hints at the end of the last novel as to some of what's in the works with Quinn but it should be interesting.  The hardcover version will be released in March 2013.  It's going to be a long wait for all of us BDB fans!

"Once Burned" Trailer

Jeaniene Frost's first novel in the Night Huntress spin-off The Night Prince, featuring Vlad, will be released June 26th.

After a tragic accident scarred her body and destroyed her dreams, Leila never imagined that the worst was still to come: terrifying powers that let her channel electricity and learn a person's darkest secrets through a single touch. Leila is doomed to a life of solitude...until creatures of the night kidnap her, forcing her to reach out with a telepathic distress call to the world's most infamous vampire...


Vlad Tepesh inspired the greatest vampire legend of all--but whatever you do, don't call him Dracula. Vlad's ability to control fire makes him one of the most feared vampires in existence, but his enemies have found a new weapon against him - a beautiful mortal with powers to match his own. When Vlad and Leila meet, however, passion ignites between them, threatening to consume them both. It will take everything that they are to stop an enemy intent on bringing them down in flames.

Review: "Darker After Midnight" by Lara Adrian

Click here to purchase.

Darker After Midnight is book #10 in the Midnight Breed series by Lara Adrian.

       This one starts off right where we left off in the last book.  As Dragos attempts to lead the police directly to the Order's front door, Chase sacrifices himself to protect his brethren.  He's been on the verge of succumbing to bloodlust since his brother and nephew's death but is now teetering precariously close to losing it all to the disease.  While Dragos continues his plot to take over the world, the humans as well as the otherworlders, it's up to the Order to protect humanity.  As a former member of the Order, a group of warriors pledged to protect the Breed as well as the humans, Chase still feels he owes it to them to rid the world of Dragos and his minions.  As Chase continues his battle with bloodlust and finds himself drawn to a beautiful otherworldly woman he hopes to fight off the disease threatening to ruin him and protect her at any cost.


       I have never been a fan of Sterling Chase in this series up to this point.  I was hesitant to read this book even though I have loved the series so far.  I knew Lara Adrian would make me love Chase and she did a wonderful job, as usual.  She took Chase to his lowest point, but didn't take him so far over the edge that he wasn't redeemable.  She showed his rough, out of control, intense exterior as well as his vulnerable side.  He couldn't accept himself and what he had become which was a huge hurdle for him to overcome.  The introduction of Tavia Fairchild turns the whole layout of the Breed on its head.  It made some huge changes and it will be interesting to see where they go from here with that.  Also, there are major changes in the ongoing battle with Dragos.  This book is definitely a game changer for the series.  I do wish we would have gotten a little more wrap up at the end however, as the epilogue jumps ahead quite a bit.  Tavia was one of my favorite heroines of the series so far.  We got a lot with the other characters as well.  Especially with Tegan, Lucan and the kids living with the Order.  Overall it was a fantastic book as usual.  It was full of action, suspense, romance... it had it all!