Early Review: Hot Blooded by Amanda Carlson

Hot Blooded

Author:Amanda Carlson

Release Date: April 23, 2013

Publisher: Orbit

Jessica McClain Book #2

ISBN:   0316205214

ISBN13:9780316205214

Genre: Urban Fantasy
Review Copy Source: Publisher/Netgalley

It hasn't been the best week for Jessica McClain.

Her mate has been kidnapped by a Goddess hell-bent on revenge --- but Jessica is playing for keeps.

Because she's the only female werewolf in town...it comes with its own set of rules...and powers.

Aided by two vamps, two loyal Pack members, and one very reluctant human, Jessica must rescue her man while coming to terms with what being a wolf really means.

All in a day's work for a girl.

The second novel in the Jessica McClain series is a full on action adventure featuring one angry Goddess and plenty of monsters, demons, and a few newly risen beasties...

The Jessica McClain series quickly climbed to the top of my favorite series list after reading BLOODED and made me fall in love with it even more after FULL BLOODED. If you have not started this series yet I must say you are missing out. Jessica's mate was kidnapped by a psychotic goddess that is in love with him and set on revenge. Jessica will do anything and everything to get him back.

Jessica is really growing into being the only female werewolf and finds out more and more of what she can do at every turn.. Most of the story revolves around her journey to get Rourke back. We don't really get a lot of Rourke time in book 2 which is a shame. I am really hoping Amanda gives us what we want with a lot of Rourke time in book 3 because that man is yummy. They are really hot together and I want more. Naomi a new addition to the story really surprised me and I find myself really liking her. She is set up to be a big part of Jessica's 'pack' in the future and I can not wait to see what else she brings to the table. Both Tyler and Danny are a great support to Jessica. I love the new connections that come into play with them. Selene was really a piece of work but what else could we expect? I won't go more into her and her lair because it would be spoiler-ish but get ready for a crazy ride. 

There is a ton of action in HOT BLOODED, a lot of things change between Jessica and her closest allies (for the best of course), and I absolutely loved each and every aspect of the story. COLD BLOODED is set to release in October 2013 and it can not come soon enough because I need more. 

I gave it 5/5 stars

Review: Influential Magic by Deanna Chase

Influential Magic

Author:Deanne Chase

Release Date: March 6, 2013

Publisher:Bayou Moon Press

Crescent City Fae Book #1

ISBN:   0983797870

ISBN13: 9780983797876

Genre: Urban Fantasy
Review Copy Source: Bewitching Book Tours

It’s tough being a faery in New Orleans, a city fraught with vampires… especially when their very existence drains your life-force.

Willow Rhoswen, owner of The Fated Cupcake and part-time vampire hunter for the Void is having a rough week. Four years after her twin brother’s mysterious death, Willow’s life is threatened and the director saddles her with a new partner—her ex-boyfriend, David. To her horror, he’s turned vamp, which causes her physical pain whenever she touches him… and any other specimen of the undead.

In order to save Willow’s life, David agrees to turn double agent against the most powerful vampire organization in New Orleans. Or so he says. And she’s convinced they know something about her brother’s death. Unsure where David’s loyalties lie, she turns to Talisen, her childhood crush, to help her solve the mystery.

Caught between two gorgeous men and a director who’ll stop at nothing to control Willow’s gifts, she’ll have to follow her instincts and learn who to trust. Otherwise, she risks losing more than just her life.

Don't let the cover fool you, there are no meek Tinkerbells in INFLUENTIAL MAGIC. The faeries are fierce supernatural creatures who can hold their own with the vampires and other paranormal things. Willow owns a cupcake shop where she sells goodies that she alters with her fae gifts in different ways. You can buy relaxation, influence, things to keep you awake, you get the idea. She also works as a hunter for the void but doesn't really enjoy it and the director happens to be her evil aunt. 

Willow's boyfriend of a year David broke up with her via text message and she has spent the last couple of months wondering why. She never imagined it was because he turned vampire and now she is stuck working closely with him on a new case. Talison was her brothers best friend when he was alive, she is very close to him and although they flirt a lot and she has feelings for him she never took it farther because she has never wanted it to ruin their relationship, oh and he is a player. They really are cute together though and I loved seeing them in action. I wish there would have been some more Talisen and Willow love time. I know it's not a paranormal romance but there is a love triangle and David had some love time so I would have liked more Talison love time. I very much enjoyed her little side kick Link. You will have to read the story to find out about his shape shifting coolness. 

INFLUENTIAL MAGIC is a fun simple read with some nice action and mystery thrown in. The characters make the book and I will be waiting to read book 2.

I gave it 4/5 stars

New Releases: 4/14-4/20

Tues April 16

Breath (Riders of the Apocalypse, #4) by Jackie Morse Kessler
Dead Silence (The Body Finder, #4) by Kimberly Derting

Furious by Jill Wolfson

Taken (Taken, #1)  by Erin Bowman

True (Elixir, #3) by Hilary Duff

Happy Reading!!

Review: Rising Darkness by Thea Harrison

Rising Darkness

Author:Thea Harrison

Release Date: April 2, 2013

Publisher: Berkley

Game of Shadows Book #1

ISBN:   0425248453

ISBN13: 9780425248454

Genre: Paranormal Romance
Review Copy Source: Publisher

In the hospital ER where she works, Mary is used to chaos. But lately, every aspect of her life seems adrift. She’s feeling disconnected from herself. Voices appear in her head. And the vivid, disturbing dreams she’s had all her life are becoming more intense. Then she meets Michael. He’s handsome, enigmatic and knows more than he can say. In his company, she slowly remembers the truth about herself…

Thousands of years ago, there were eight of them. The one called the Deceiver came to destroy the world, and the other seven followed to stop him. Reincarnated over and over, they carry on—and Mary finds herself drawn into the battle once again. And the more she learns, the more she realizes that Michael will go to any lengths to destroy the Deceiver.

Then she remembers who killed her during her last life, nine hundred years ago…Michael.

I will start by saying that I really like the cover, it is the main reason I wanted to read about RISING DARKNESS. Mary thinks she is going crazy when she dreams about creatures and events and hears voices in her head. When her house is burned down and people try to kidnap her she is sent scrambling to find out what is going on by getting to the woman who appeared to her in a vision that says she can help. 

RISING DARKNESS started off a bit fast. The pace is constant and information and events are kind of thrown at you leaving you trying to catch up behind it. It eventually slows down but you will need to stick it out for a bit coming in. Mary has never been able to feel normal or like she fit in anywhere. She tried marriage but her husband ended up being gay and she was relieved because she wasn't interested in having sex or being romantic. Michael has known who he was from a very young age and has searched for Mary ever since. They are soul mates in every way possible and have gone through life after life being together and being ripped apart. Their connection is obviously strong and even before Mary knows who she or Michael is she is highly attracted and drawn to him. They are pretty steamy together and fit together nicely. To be honest I still don't fully understand the creatures they used to be but I'm interested in learning more about them and seeing what happens next. 

 As I said before you might not connect to the story at first but if you stick it out I'm sure you will catch up and enjoy it like I did. There is a lot of information given in RISING DARKNESS and you can tell that there will be a lot more to come. I do hope that the main characters stay Mary and Micheal as there is so much more about them that I think we need to know and no other main character types were introduced. I would hate to have to learn about 2 new people when the next book came out. Fingers Crossed.

I gave it 3.5/5 stars

Week in Review: 4/7-4/13

Books Ive Bought/received

* Fifth Grave Past the Light by Darynda Jones- eARC- Publisher

* Water's Blood by Elaine Calloway- Ecopy- Bewitching Book Tours

Books I Read

A Kiss of Blood by Pamela Palmer
Fifth Grave Past the Light by Darynda Jones
Spirit by Brigid Kemmerer
Once by Dana Michelle Burnett
Water's Blood by Elaine Calloway
Unbreakable by Elizabeth Norris
Mist by Susan Krinard

Reviews Posted

The Stone Demon by Karen Mahoney
Apollyon by Jennifer L. Armentrout
Of Shadow Born by Dianne Sylvan


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* New Releases for the week. Was there anything you were looking forward to reading?

* Tuesday- Guest Post and Giveaway from Dana M. Burnett was posted to promote her book Once.

* Wednesday I posted two giveaways, Under the Gun by Hannah Jayne and The Golden Age of Death by Amber Benson.

*Thursday- A Promo for Slayer's Kiss by Cassi Carver was posted.

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 * I love comments so if you see something you like (or not) please comment away and let me know.

Review: Of Shadow Born by Dianne Sylvan

Of Shadow Born

Author: Dianne Sylvin

Release Date: March 26, 2013

Publisher:ACE

Shadow World Book #4

ISBN:  0425259803

ISBN13: 9780425259801

Genre: Urban Fantasy
Review Copy Source: Publisher

 Spread throughout the dark corners of our world lies the Shadow World, a society of vampires who feed off the living. In Austin, Texas, one woman must rise from the ashes of tragedy and confront an ancient evil before it destroys everything she holds dear…

After a heartrending night of loss and blood, Miranda Grey-Solomon, vampire Queen of the South, now stands in the ruins of her life determined to pick up the pieces and move on. David, her husband and Prime, is missing and presumed dead, and Miranda is lost without her soul mate by her side…But she has little time to grieve as enemies both old and new emerge to test her yet again.

Between vampires trying to take advantage of a Queen without a Prime, incursions by a mysterious organization of humans calling themselves the Order of the Morningstar, and the continuing threat from those within the Shadow World who have already tried to destroy her, Miranda and her allies are running out of places to turn. In order to save her territory and the ones she loves, Miranda must look to the ancient past, to the first days of the vampire race, and uncover secrets about the Signets that could change the course of history…

I'm kinda on the fence about this one. I liked it, but there were a few weird parts. It was no stretch to guess that David does not stay dead and that Miranda doesn't die with him. I went into OF SHADOW BORN wondering how long it was going to take to finally show that David was alive and I'm glad to say that it wasn't super long. 

I really do love Miranda and David as a couple. A few books ago David really messed up and I honesty wanted to throw up during that time as I was reading but they have grown a lot since then and they have a great relationship with each other as well as Deven and Jonathan . I loved the addition of Stella to the series, she is loyal and sweet and is willing to help in any way that someone lets her. I also thought that the addition of Olivia was interesting and feel that she will continue to be a great ally in the events ahead. The pacing in OF SHADOW BORN was fine but there were a few parts that got a tad boring in the story and could have done without. We definitely need more information on the Goddess storyline and once we get that I think seems will be more clear. Over all Book 4 had nice growth and continuation of the story. 

I'm not totally sure where Dianne is bringing everyone but I wont stop reading now. Book 6 is not yet scheduled but I hope we wont have to wait long. I don't think any fan of the series will be disappointed with OF SHADOW BORN.

I gave it 3.5/5 stars

Review: Apollyon by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Apollyon

Author:Jennifer L. Armentrout

Release Date: April 4, 2013

Publisher: Spencer Hill Press

Covenant Book #4

ISBN:  1937053164

ISBN13: 99781937053161

Genre: Young Adult
Review Copy Source: Publisher

Fate isn’t something to mess with… and now, neither is Alex.

Alex has always feared two things: losing herself in the Awakening and being placed on the Elixir. But love has always been stronger than Fate, and Aiden St. Delphi is willing to make war on the gods—and Alex herself—to bring her back.

The gods have killed thousands and could destroy entire cities in their quest to stop Seth from taking Alex’s power and becoming the all-powerful God Killer. But breaking Alex’s connection to Seth isn’t the only problem. There are a few pesky little loopholes in the whole “an Apollyon can’t be killed” theory, and the only person who might know how to stop the destruction has been dead for centuries.

Finding their way past the barriers that guard the Underworld, searching for one soul among countless millions, and then somehow returning will be hard enough. Alex might be able to keep Seth from becoming the God Killer… or she might become the God Killer herself.

I have been a fan of the Covenant series since the first paragraph of book 1. Not one of the books has disappointed me and APOLLYON followed in all their footsteps. 

APOLLYON starts a short time after DEITY'S cliffhanger ending. Alex is completely connected to Seth through their bond and has eyes and thoughts only for him and getting to him. It frankly is really hard to witness knowing the love she has for Aiden. Every time she said "my Alex" I threw up a little in my mouth. Thankfully some events happen that has her fighting her way out of her weirdness and back to her normal Aiden loving self. I enjoyed the scenery of the underworld that was explained. It was a neat experience to follow Aiden and Alex on their journey. Alex and Aiden are still in love and fabulous together. They have some great scenes together and continue to grow. The action is just as good as earlier books. There is a great amount of suspense and surprises to keep you on your toes.

The ending. wow. That is about all that I can say about that. I kinda suspected that the god that was casing all the trouble was part of the trouble but I didn't have a clue that he was actually the god. Did that make sense? I tried to explain it so that there were no spoilers but you will get it once you read the book lol. SENTINEL is going to kick butt.

I gave it 4/5 stars