Mass Market Paperback; 352 pages
Publisher: Zebra Books (September 6, 2010)
ISBN-10: 1420109871
ISBN-13: 9781420109870
Genre: Anthology; Horror; Paranormal; Short Story
Main Characters: Derek & Maggie
For Sale At: The Book Depository

SUMMARY
New Orleans native Dr. Maggie Dillon thought she left her past behind her - until she's enraptured by a handsome patient who has been possessed by a malevolent spirit. To find a cure, Colby revisits her magical roots - and unleashes a primal lust too vital to ignore...

REVIEW
Musician Derek, finds himself on the mental ward of a hospital after being possessed by a ghost on the verge of getting his revenge. In an act of despair he tries to get rid of this ghost who is trying to take over his body in the only way he knows how and that is to take his own life. However, Chief Resident Maggie Dillon is his tending physician and their instant attraction might be the one thing left to safe him.

I had no idea what to expect from this author as this anthology in Nocturnal was the first story I’ve read by her hand, but I was pleasantly surprised by the original and intriguing read. As a firm believer of ghost-possession, this book held an extra suspense factor in the plotline, especially as it was written in the first person. Through Maggie’s eyes you could see the possession take over and I got goose bumps in the process each time it occurred.

It’s quite difficult to get a grip on and feel for the main characters in Anthology stories because they are quite short reads. But for me the way it played out in My Soul To Take, worked well . The connection between the two leading characters was solid and real. Emotions were as well worked-out as can be expected from an Anthology-story. Both characters had a soft side to them, and the dreamy character of a musician mixed well with the practical and down to earth side of a physician, both not Alpha, both not Beta but both a unique addition to each other, just as it often is in real life. It gave it an extra plus for me.

I absolutely adored the fact a Voodoo Priestess from New Orleans, was helping out on the exorcism. The feel of the ritual and how it was set up was amazingly done, in both horrifying and cleansing way.

For me this Anthology is definitely a reason to pick up another book by Clare Willis.

4 Stars

Trade Paperback; 320 pages
Publisher: Little, Brown Book Group (May 27, 2010)
ISBN-10: 190741021X
ISBN-13: 9781907410215
Genre: Young Adult / Fantasy
Book: Book one in the Chronicles of Nick series
Main Characters: Nick Gautier
On sale at: The Book Depository

SUMMARY
At fourteen, Nick Gautier thinks he knows everything about the world around him. Streetwise, tough, and savvy, Nick and his quick sarcasm are the stuff of legend... until the night when his best friends try to kill him. Saved by a mysterious warrior who has more fighting skills than Chuck Norris, Nick is sucked into the realm of the Dark-Hunters: immortal vampire slayers who risk everything to save humanity.

Nick quickly learns that the human world is only a veil covering a much larger and more dangerous one: a world where the captain of the football team is a werewolf and the girl he has a crush on goes out at night to stake the undead. But before Nick can even learn the rules of this new world, his fellow students are turning into flesh-eating zombies. And he's next on the menu.

As if starting high school isn't hard enough... now Nick has to hide his new friends from his mom, his chain saw from the principal, and keep the zombies and the demon Simi from eating his brains, all without getting grounded or suspended. How in the world is he supposed to do that?

REVIEW
It's been a while since I last read a novel by the hand of Ms. Kenyon, in all honesty I found that the Dark Hunter/Were Hunter/Dream Hunter world became a bit complex and due to said complexity, I lost interest because the last few novels were not up to standard and didn't hold it's quality I'm used to. So when I heard about the Chronicles of Nick I won't repeat my train of thoughts about it, because it's best not be repeated. However my sister got her hands on the novel and told me that I might actually enjoy it. So she brought it over for me to borrow and after I read the first 3 pages I was hooked onto it and finished reading it in a flash.

As it's a young adult, and Nick is a young adult himself, the problems he faces are a bit more basic bound and teenage material, but Sherrilyn is comfortable in her writing and able to put his pre-adult years to paper in a convincing and enjoyable way. Some of his feelings are described a bit adult-like in my opinion, but it can be rationally explained, due to the fact that he grew up between strippers and an adult style of life facing mature problems.

I absolutely loved the fact we were brought back to New Orleans, which in my opinion is the homebase of the Dark Hunters and has a certain feel to the world-build-up due to all it's lore. I felt later on in the series I actually started missing New Orleans, so this series makes up for that! Old characters come to pass in their previous way of life, Kyrian still being a Dark Hunter, Acheron, Simi, Tabitha and other squires come to pass in their unique way of being. It was something that really added to the reading experience, and I think that is what makes it an interesting and fun read for those not really into Young Adult-series.

The topic of Zombies is not one of my favourite reads but the combination of Zombies with teens made it work. It's a fast-paced, entertaining read where things once more twist and turn around in the Dark Hunter world as we know it, but as far as I can tell at this stage I think these changes are for the better instead of the worse! Some storylines in this novel seem to not add up to the series as we know it, but again towards the end of this particular read it all is set up really well and all falls into place, so if you come across a few anomalities, don't worry keep reading and be surprised!

I think the 'ick' factor works really well for young adults, there were times where I as an adult thought: “oh no, so way gross!!!” I could have done without it, and it being described a bit less icky but I forgave that because I knew it's a YA-series. I absolutely adored Bubba and Mark and their 'zombie-hunting' ways. They were compelling and funny to read about.

There lingers a misconception that the Chronicles of Nick are a prequal to the Dark Hunter Series, I think it's not. It's interwoven into the series and some plotlines are changing and explained as such in between the lines, so therefor I think that, if you are unfamiliar to the Dark Hunter world, it might not be wise to start reading this novel, and on the other hand, it can be read as a new starting series because these are written as Chronicles. So the unexplained might be left open till it's explained in a later novel.

Nick as a character in the Dark Hunter novels never stood out to me, but he actually scored some positive points in this novel and I'm looking forward to reading on in this series. It was great to see his witty sarcasm and I'm truly hoping these chronicles will progress in the way I'm thinking it will, because if it does, I think it will be a climactic change in the Dark Hunter world. But let's not get too carried away and see where the second novel in this series will lead us, this one left us with quite a great ending, which I'm curious to see how it will be picked up in the next installment.

4 Stars

Mass Market Paperback; 385 pages
Publisher: Medallion Press (June 4, 2010)
ISBN-10: 1605420964
ISBN-13: 9781605420967
Genre: Historical Romance
Book: Book four in the Knight’s series
Main Characters: Edouard de Lanceau & Juliana de Greyne
On sale at: The Book Depository Store

SUMMARY
A Knight’s Persuasion tells the story of Edouard, firstborn and heir of the great lord Geoffrey de Lanceau. Due to certain circumstances he finds himself betrothed to the sister of Lady Juliana de Greyne, whom, upon first meeting, he falls in love with. Events leave Juliana unconscious on a riverside bank, while Edouard passes by on mere coincidence. When seeking shelter and a healer at his father’s friends keep they find themselves locked in a tower by his father’s enemies. From there on things unfold rapidly, as his father’s enemy is on a quest for revenge.

REVIEW
Edouard, as a hero, is not the typical Alpha Male nor Beta man, but is somewhere in between. He feels a strong attraction towards Juliana but honor-bound as he is, a series of events betroth him to her sister. He, however, never forgets Juliana, and in this his strong sense of honor gnaws at him, making him a star-crossed lover. At the same time he holds everything I need my knight in shining armor to be!

I sense that Juliana is a soft sweet person, going out of her way to help others without putting her own needs ahead. Creative and sensitive, but strong minded as well (and not only towards the positive side of things).

The characters on their own do not stand out to me, but when forced together they make a strong team and have a connection that came across as real and loving. And because this occurs, it makes their story compelling and satisfying to read.

When I first started reading this novel, I felt a bit confused as to where the story took place and in which time-frame. A time-span of a year is spread over the pages of a few chapters. It gave me a feeling of being rushed through various built ups in plotlines and it gave me a lose-threaded base on which this story had to be built upon. In some ways certain things had to be explained, but I’m not sure if it really added to the story for me. I think it might have come across better when in due time these storylines were explained as the story progressed – starting from Edouard and Juliana meeting again at the riverbank - in the setting of flashbacks.

The suspense factor acted as an ambrosia for me, hooked me onto the story and I was not able to put it down till the last page was turned, leaving me satisfied and hungering for more at the same time. Veronique, the villain in this story is really villainess. When I first stumbled upon her in this story I felt an instant dislike towards her, and the way she turned events around, brainwashed her son, twisting events for her own personal gain and vendetta made me hate her. All my praises for this, I love villains who are bad to the core, it gives the story a great suspense and definitely spices things up!

Up until the very end plotlines evolve and reveal themselves in total surprise and up until the very end I kept wondering will they, or won’t they get their happily ever after. I was glad it ended up in a way that Edouard kept his honor bound character as to me that was one of his best qualities.

However, having said that, when the story took more root in a slower pace, I really enjoyed it and Catherine Kean’s writing style appeals to me very much. Her characters all have their own uniqueness and add to the story. And the way the historical back-drop was described and blended in made me linger in the thirteenth century.

A few side-characters got my attention and I hope these will get their own story in this series as well. I for one would love to see what will happen to Tye, and Kaine totally got my attention with his wickedly rogueish ways! All in all, Catherine Kean made her way to my keepers-shelves!

4 Stars

Shayla Black – Tempt Me With Darkness
Genre: Paranormal
Book 1 in the Doomsday Brethren
ISBN: 1-4165-5858-6
Releasedate: August 6, 2008
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Format owned: MPB
For sale at: The Book Depository Store


Synopsis
He’s an immortal knight hungering for satisfaction. . . .
As soon as Marrok sees Olivia Gray, he’s sure they met in eons past. He’s felt her soft, gentle curves writhing in pleasure beneath his own powerful body. . . Morganna! For centuries, towering Marrok, once the mightiest of King Arthur’s warriors, has endured a terrible curse the witch cast upon him when he spurned the witch.


She’s a modern woman about to discover ancient magic. . . .
Olivia shares a mystical—and irresistible—connection with brooding Marrok. Soon after the sexy warrior appears in her erotic dreams, he abducts her, demanding she uncurse him. Their intense passion is more powerful—and intimate—than either of them has ever known. Olivia may be the key to unlocking the diary that will break Morganna’s hold on his life. But in the wrong hands, the book also holds the power to destroy magickind. As they search for answers, a ruthless wizard returned from exile is building an army of evil. When he discovers Marrok and Olivia have the diary, only their love—with the help of a powerful group of magical Brethren—can save them.

REVIEW
Marrok, an ancient warrior from the reign of King Arthur, trapped by a spell cast upon him by the witch Morganna La Fey to immortal life, has been around for a very long time. Once he had the dream that he would have a way out of this immortal life he quickly finds himself in a situation not foreseen taken care of a girl he claims is Morganna herself.

Unbeknownst to Olivia, Marrok thinks she is the key to unlock a book known to be able to uncurse him. However there is also the catch that this book is powerful enough to destroy mankind in the wrong hands. To make matters worse a dark and rogue wizard returns from exile and is making a steadfast group of followers to help him get what he wants.

An century-old pact of hatred between wizards and witches has to be laid to rest, to help safe the world, henseforth the Doomsday Brethren are introduced!

It starts up with a very demanding and erotic dream that introduces Marrok and connects the dots to why he, as an ancient warrior, is still allive in the 21st century, why he so much seeks revenge on Morganna and why he wants to undo the curse she bestowed upon him. As expected from Shayla Black this first book in the Doomsday Brethren has it’s scorching hot scenes, starting with this one!

Tempt me with Darkness, is a classic and solid introduction to a new series by this author. It holds a thorough basic explanation on worldbuilding and characters. It shows very much the potential that this series can be brought to further heights with the follow-up books. Though the theme of a brotherhood (Brethren) protecting the world from evil is one that we come across a lot in books as of late, Shayla Black is able to give it a different surrounding environment, using old legends in new settings, where good stands against evil once more. Ofcourse with the incredibly hot scenes between the hero and heroine!

Marrok is the warrior type loved amongst many. Alpha Male, demanding, seeking revenge, creative (who doesn’t love a man who can create with his hands!), brooding, reluctant to follow rules, but sensitive and tender once you found a way to his heart.

Olivia however, is a woman on the brink of finding the magic she unbeknownst to herself holds within. A girl who is trustworthy, follows feeling over rational interpretation, passionate but very sweet and strongminded as well.

Their interaction is strong and sharp, verbally, and has to overcome issues as trust and betrayal. What really got me connected to them as a couple was the fact that the everyday emotions of doubt and trust (being able to lay your heart in another’s hands), were difficult for them to surpass. Especially as the world around them, gives them obstacles to solve whilst working out their feelings for eachother. It took this romance from the fairy-tale like of it all and threw it back into reality. Some ‘Romance’ readers might not perceive it well but it does fit within this world an the way Shayla Black set this world up so for me it fits right in.

The story unfolding in Tempt me with Darkness grabbed me from page one. I was intrigued immediately by the fascination of the erotic-tinted dream Marrok had and made me want to read on to find out how it would unfold and which part Bram was playing in it all. What did he know and would his premonition come to be! I was completely surprised with the mate-bonding ritual. It wasn’t strong and urged but it came natural and unexpected to both Marrok & Olivia. It holds a nice little quirk that will leave the expectations of Shayla Black’s readers of other books satisfied.

The secondary characters are as fascinating as the hero & heroine and gives you a certain longing to keep reading on in this series. Ofcourse there is one character within this build up of series that is like an encyclopedia into this world and in this series Bram is that person. Mysterious and with that appealing to me! But these are the good guys. Amongst all this, a brooding chilling evil is raising and it’s one of the few evils that I can say leave my heart cold and frosty and instantly disliking him to every fiber of my heart. I loved it. It’s great to see that contrast and I have to say that every storyline in this book was well balanced and creates a great thrill for the fan of erotic paranormal romance!

Certain plotlines however might come across as a bit of shocking and it made me raise an eyebrow for a bit as well but strangely enough it fitted the picture of good vs the evil portrayed in this book and shows that this author is not afraid to use it to balance it out.

All in all Shayla Black was able to grab hold of me with this sereis and made me a fan of her writing-style even more. I’m so glad I’m able to dive straight into the next installment Seduce me in Shadow to see what will happen next!

4 Stars

Genre: Historical Romance
Book 3 in the MacAllisters series
ISBN: 9780380817900
Releasedate: April 30, 2003
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishing Inc.
Format owned: HC Rhapsody
For sale at: The Book Depository Store

Synopsis
Though few can equal her skill with the sword, Caledonia MacNeely fights an unfamiliar shiver when she is offered in marriage to the infamous "Lord Sin." Though Callie fears this mysterious, unreachable stranger -- less for the dark whispers that damn him than for the heat of his touch -- she is under the order of the English king. And with the fate of her troubled clan hanging in the balance, she has little recourse.


Banished as a child, "Sin" MacAllister learned to despise his Scottish heritage. Yet now, to unmask King Henry's foes, he must return to the hated Highlands -- wedded to a bewitching lass whose flaming red hair matches the fire of her spirit. A cold, hard heart has always been the key to Sin's survival, but this beauty awakens in him a perilous need he's never known.

 
REVIEW
This is Sin MacAllister’s story. He’s the English-Scotsman out of the lot. Given to the Englishmen when he was still a child. With them he went to a cruelty beyon comprehension so he grew up to be the cold-hearted soldier and protector of the king today. Untill he comes across the task to wed ‘Callie’ a Scottish lass on English ground. Could she be the one to open him up?


What makes this novel standing out and rising above others in this genre is Kinley’s ability to write stories which reflect her unique sense of humor. She has a way to put the brotherly connection to words that make you instantly fall for them.

Kinley MacGregor had me highly entertained with this story. She has a brilliance to weave humor into the heavy set harsh reality of Sin’s traumatic past, but sometimes I found it got me out of connecting to Sin and I had the feeling I didn’t get to know enough of him to fully grasp why he was so closed off...

Callie is a fierce, proud and emphatic Scottish lass. She would putt herself at the frintline in a war to protect the one’s she loves. She’s all I would love to see back in a true Scottish heroine from way back then!

I do realize that Kinley’s MacAllister’s are written to entertain her readers, so in that way she definitely delivered again! She sets her characters – main, as well as secundary – down very well.

Though I enjoyed reading this story a lot, the one character who stuck in my mind was Ewan MacAllister. His story is next in line, and I would really love to see what she has in store for him.

With all the humor and funny situations, an underlying plotline also shows, which brings excitement and action in the mis. The easy way she uses humor in her writing – as both Kinley MacGregor and Sherrilyn Kenyon – shows that this is a major part of her personality. It brings a certain flair to her writing that I really love, it makes her novels all the more appealing to read and re-read.

There are two specific scenes in this novel that I kept with me for while after reading this novel. Both ofcourse with Sin and Callie at centre and are just heartwarming and hilarious at the same time. In my opinion they are a great example of this authors writing capability. I’ll give you two small hints; 1st – ‘Blood’ and 2nd – ‘Bull’. Are you intrigued? Best to pick up the book and read for yourself. You will be highly entertained and touched.

4 stars

Genre: Paranormal
Book 1 in the Paladins of Darkness series
ISBN: 9781416520368
Releasedate: April 7, 2008
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Format owned: MPB
For sale at: The Book Depository Store

Synopsis
Devlin Bane will die for his cause -and die again if he must. A Paladin in a centuries-old war against the Others, dark creatures that prey on mankind, Devlin is destined to fall in battle and reawaken again and again in his ceaseless fight. And with each death, the Paladin loses another piece of his humanity, slowly becoming one of the monsters he was born to kill.

At his side is Dr. Laurel Young, charged with watching over her Paladin and reviving him each time he meets his death. And as Devlin edges ever closer to darkness, she readies herself for her ultimate task: to destroy the Paladin should he ever become one of the Others. But as the war rages on, Devlin and Laurel are irresistibly drawn together in forbidden passion, and soon find themselves pitting desire against duty. Having sacrificed his life to the cause, will the Paladin also sacrifice his heart?

REVIEW
Alexis Morgan takes us on a journey into the world of Paladins. She created a band of brothers who captured my heart and made it thumb with a warm longing to be the savior of one of these men.


These are not hard balls, but men on the brink of losing themselves into something which takes away their humanity, giving their handlers the power to kill them as soon as this happens. That fact gives these men a certain masculine vulnerability which is implemented in this first story in this series very well, opening the reader up to a new world.

I, for one, was happily surprised with this story. Never in my wildest imagination did I expect such a hidden treasure on my shelves, addicting me to the world where Paladins and Others fight for existance.

It’s written with a certain flair, easing you into a story. From the first page on you get to know the world and built up straight away and Alexis Morgan does it really well-structured. She combines rules and storylines very good, but leaving enough details out in the open that you instantly want to grab and read the next novel in line.

Laurel Young is a handler at the research centre where they care for the wounded and dying/dead Paladins. She could keep distance from them, but she’s the kind of docter that takes a personal interest and cares deeply for her patients. She’s emotional, strong, willfull and stubborn as well, making her a lovely person you would want to get to know.

Devlin Bane is the Paladin this story is all about. On the outside he’s acting all tough and built such a wall around his heart to protect himself, not easy to penetrate, but for some reason Laurel see’s right through him. He finds himself on the brink of crossing to the other side which makes him scared and vulnerable. One of the many reasons he doesn’t want to let Laurel come close, but for some reason he’s powerless against it and before he realizes it, he’s standing outside her door....

These two together work out really well, showing passionate but sweet blooming love with a jolt of suspense – a man hired to do some damage in their world – lingering above their heads.

The band of brothers that we get to meet is greatly described and the one’s that came to play small parts immediatly held my attention. Trahern grabbed my heart instantly (though I have to admit when Baraq came to scene – OH...MY...GOD!).

I read this story in a time when I was a bit averse to the whole ‘warrior-like-men stuck together’-series, because lately we’ve been overflown with the concept, but Alexis Morgan took the concept, gave it her unique twist introducing Paladins with their new set of rules and reminded me why I loved it in the first place.

Needless to say that the Paladins of Darkness swooned me off my feet!

4 Stars

Genre: Paranormal
Book 7 in the Highlander series
ISBN: 0-8131-2233-3
Releasedate: August 2005
Publisher: Dell Publishing
Format owned: HC Delacorte & MPB
For sale at: The Book Depository Store

Synopsis
Jessi St. James has got to get a life. Too many hours studying artifacts has given the hardworking archaeology student a bad case of sex on the brain. So she figures she must be dreaming when she spies a gorgeous half-naked man staring out at her from inside the silvery glass of an ancient mirror. But when a splitt-second decision saves her from a terrifying attempt on her life, Jessi seddenlyfinds herself confronting six and a half feet of smoldering insatiable alpha male.

Heir to the arcane magic of his Druid ancestors, eleven centuries ago Cian MacKeltar was trapped inside the Dark Glass, one of four conveted Unseelie Hallows, objects of unspeakable power. When the Dark Glass is stolen, an ancient enemy will stop at nothing to reclaimit, destroying everything in his path - including the one woman who may just hold the key to breaking the ninth-century Highlander's dark spell. For Jessi, the muscle-bound sex-god in the mirror is not only tantalizingly real, he's offering his protection - from exactly what, Jessi doesn't know. And all he wants in exchange is the exquisite pleasure of sharing her bed.

Yet even as Cian's insatiable hunger begins to work its dark magic on Jessi, his ancient enemy is about to obtain the final and most dangerous of the Unseelie Hallows - and the ninth-century Highlander must stop him from getting it. Nothing less than the very fabric of the universe and two passionately entwined lives are at stake - as Cian and Jessi fight to claim the kind of love that comes along but once in an ice age...

REVIEW
Yet another quality story by miss Moning that is worth reading every page. I knew when I had read Drustan's story it would be very difficult to top and "Spell" didn't have the same impact on me either, but that was to be expected.

What I truly loved about Jessi & Cians story was that I broke down in laughter loads of times. Cian a 9th century barbaric Tarzan-to-the-core Alpha Scotsmen and Jessi a 21st century stand-on-her-own self-reliable young woman. Cian used to ordering around and people following his rules and demands, Jessi used to following her own rules and creating her own destiny. Brought together in this story brings about hillarious situations.

Jessi, a fact-searching archeology student, deprived from sleep and not believing for a minute she had just summoned a 6ft-something Alpha Male in all but a kilt around his waist, thinking she was dreaming and wanting to make the most of this dream licking her way up his back!

I absolutely adore Karens way of writing. It's pure quality, language as well as scenes and details. This story however, I felt something was missing. I cannot point it out exactly. Maybe it was the fact I didn't have the time to read it in a day or 2 but normally that doesn't affect me a lot.

The best part for me (apart from Drustans cameo ~dreamy glance~) were the last 50 pages and the last 4 in particular where Aoibheal puts things together. Realizing that things were put into place like this because of a higher reason....

Quote - Cian trying to use voice on Jessi:
“Cease speaking, wench. You will bring that sweet ass over here and kiss me now.”
Jessi gaped, mouth open, midword. Snapped her mouth closed. Opened it again. Her head suddenly itched just beneath the skin, above her metal plate. She rubbed at her scalp. “As if.”
“Remove that woollen, woman, and show me your breasts.’
Choking on an inhalation, she sputtered for several seconds “Oh, I so don’t think that’s going to ha-.”
“Cease speaking,” he roared “You will not speak again unless I tell you to.”
In a sweet voice she said “You can go fuck yourself, you great big domineering Neanderthal!"

Though not the ultimate : Raisin' my bloodpressure kind of story, nonetheless a great story in this Highlander serie and very impatient to see what's coming next to the Keltar-Druids. I just absolutely loved Aoibheal's ending plott especially the silent understanding between herself and Cian!!! I mean what's up with that??? A perfect way to end a book in a series in my opinion. I'm a hooked BAA-Moning fan!

4 Stars

Genre: Regency
A Stand-ALone Novel
ISBN: 9781420100013
Releasedate: May 6, 2008
Publisher: Kensington Books
Format owned: MPB
For sale at: The Book Depository Store

Synopsis
A SCANDAL?

Spirited and sensual, heiress Leah Jamison knew she would marry one day, but she had thought it would be for love, not because of her father's trickery. Yet her anger soon melts itno arousal when she experiences the expert caresses and bold kiss of the man who will become her husband. Richard Wexton is a duke, accustomed to command. Instead of resisting him, all she can do is ask for more…

OR A WEDDING?
Richard Wexton, the Duke of St. Austin, is a man of honor and he is furious at the idea of being blackmailed into marriage! Alas, he has no choice but to consent to the outrageous scheme. Then he sees Leah for the first time: His bride-to-be is a beauty beyond compare. He cannot ignore his feelings of ardent desire--and passionate love...

REVIEW
Desperate to protect an innocent little girl from telltales and the gossiping tongue of the TON, Richard feels compelled to go in accordance with the proposition Leah’s father handed out in his scheming state of mind. Spirited as she is and believing to be true that love is what makes a marriage work – not this arrangement that was made behind her back – makes Leah not go along quietly.


But once she sets eyes on the dangerously handsome Duke of St. Austin, she comes to know that love might not just be all that holds a marriage together. She gets familiar with the feeling - the urge - that comes with feeling passion for a man she does not even know. Nonetheless, she does know she cannot get him out of her mind and is determined to make him open up to her!

This is an author to watch out for; Janmarie Anello knows how to write a heart-filling romance story set between a hero and heroine. You just know straight away, though they don’t know each other at the start, they belong to each other.

The cover of this novel does not instantly give you the regency vibe and I would understand a sort of reluctance to see it as such but trust me when I say this is a quality regency novel! A well thought out and good structured story that has all one desires from the regency genre. The jealousy within the “Ton” is so very well written, up to the fact where one looks in the other persons eyes and walks away without saying a word – the silent treatment – it makes you feel pity for the person undergoing it! Janmarie is telling a tale which is swiping you off your feet and making you long for more! The world of Duke’s and Duchess, and the longing of two separate people coming together and growing towards each other is making the story sparkle off the pages.

The way twists and plots are entwined within this passionate love tale got to me and made me want to keep reading on and on. She truly gripped me with this story and I thought it was a nice surprise as, honestly said, I didn’t expect it when I first started reading! What I found refreshingly new to my shelves, was the fact that they tried to make the best out of the situation at hand. With bantering about, no hate and fighting over the marriage they were both forced into. But accepting what simply was and even though Richard was reluctant against emotional ties it was great to see he opened up to Leah’s strong passionate charitable character. As well as the fact that this story was spread out over months and not just a few weeks in time, making it more realistic as you are able to indulge yourself into their world and get the feeling you get to know the characters through time.

Their connection grabbed me on a deeper level, their love for each other grows throughout the story, making their passion and love-scenes all the more intense to read. It gave me as a reader the feeling that the characters made their way into my heart.

The secondary story lines, which are implemented in this story through the jealousy of Richard’s previous bed partners, are adding to the story and making this novel a real page-turner! I absolutely adored Richards brother, Geoffrey, who is a rogue first hand and I am hoping and silently praying for him to have his own story in time. Because with the way Janmarie Anello writes her stories I just know I would re-read her novels from time-to-time, as this story has touched my romantic filled heart!

4 Stars

Genre: Fantasy
A Stand-Alone Novel
ISBN: 9780505527547
Releasedate: March 1, 2008
Publisher: Dorchester Publishing
Format owned: e-Book
For sale at: The Book Depository Store

Synopsis
ONE PROTECTOR

When dragon power flows through your veins, when dragon thoughts burn in your mind, you can accomplish anything. Natiya knows, for she carries one of the last eggs in the land disguised as a jewel in her navel. Day by day the Unhatched grows, and when at last it births they will be joined in a sacred and eternal bond. Gone will be the barmaid forced to dance for pennies; born will be Dag Natiya, revered Queen. Take her body or her soul, nothing will stop them.

ONE SLAYER
When dragon power flows through your veins, when dragon emotions trample your soul, you become a monster. So knows Kiril, for one destroyed his cousin. No matter how kind or joyful, all beings must succumb to the power of the wyrm. That is why Kiril vowed to destroy dragonkind—and he has almost succeeded. Only one egg remains. But there is an obstacle he did not foresee: love.

REVIEW
When the dragonhunter meets the tavern-dancer he knows there’s more to their connection than lust. Even though she’s reluctant to go with him, there’s no choice left for her once she was captured and imprisoned. In doing this, the secret she is carrying is jeopardized. Will their connection stand strong through the threat that linger’s on their trail….


It all starts with a smashing prologue making me hunger for more. In those first few pages the base of the story is set, instantly making me have a love-hate relationship with Kiril. Love because of his fiery temperament, determination and loyalty to his cause no matter how difficult it was to him. And hate because.... well Dragon-slaying isn't on top of the list I want my heroes to do as a profession. But in the first pages you actually feel him struggling with it. So needless to say I was intrigued and eager to read on and see what Jade Lee had in store with his character.

Natiya, a girl who's forced to work in a bar and dance for some cash, is the last person, who carries a dragon-egg, awaiting its hatching and becoming one with its mind, body and soul. Not just any egg, but the Queen-egg and nothing will come between her knowledge that Dragons are good; nothing will make her doubt this. Equally passionate about her destiny, as Kiril is of his, and even more determined to make it through. She will not be brought down from her cause by anyone.

When these two characters meet in this story you just feel there's this underlying connection between them. There is doubt about what they feel, lust in their doings and both heading the same way for different purposes. Jade Lee has a strong writing skill. Even though most of this novel is written like it’s one big scene between Kiril and Natiya; she is able to put together an underlying story, making it an intense, emotional and wonderful read. Usually, when you are in the middle of reading such a story, you read it as quickly as possible to hold on to the feeling for the characters because of the build up. Jade Lee was able to write every scene so that you can put it away for a day, start reading again and get straight back into feeling the same intense emotions. So throughout the whole story you are able to hold on to the feeling you had when you put it down for awhile.

The build up of the story and the dragon world is not a new thing within the fantasy/sci-fi/paranormal genre. Despite the fact the focus of this story was not mainly on the world, but more a balance of the world entwined within an epic love story. The world surrounding the two of them on their journey just added more to their love story and brought along the tragedy and some thrill to their connection.

Because the focus was more on the emotions both characters were going through, your imagination was completely able to create the world around them. Sometimes you just long to read this type of story and sometimes you don’t, but this time it fell right in place for me. So I had an absolutely superb time reading this novel, making this world visual for me and sighed when the story ended.

If as an author you are able to write a great story mainly about two terrific characters, to me you are a fantastic writer! In my opinion, this is great fantasy romance novel and it actually made me put Jade Lee’s other novels in my priority list of buying.

Jade Lee writes in her own unique way bringing something new to my bookshelves!

4 Stars

Genre: Erotica

Book 2 in the Lords of Satyr series
ISBN: 0-7582-2040-5
Releasedate: March 2008
Publisher: Kensington Publishing
Format owned: TPB
For sale at: The Book Depository Store

Synopsis
As A Lover, His Skills Are Legendary...

The middle brother, Raine, is both sensual and stoic. Scarred by once taking a wife who could not accept his carnal needs, he wants no part in another marriage. But duty commands that he fulfill his promise to wed King Feydon's second daughter, Jordan...

But In Matters Of The Heart, He Has Much To Learn...
The loyal satyr begins a search that leads him from Tuscany to romantic Venice, where his beautiful bride awaits, unaware of what passionate delights fate has planned for her. Raine is careful not to reveal his powerful satyr sexuality, for fear of driving yet another woman away. But unbeknownst to him, Jordan is no ordinary woman and was born with an insatiable appetite for love. And as Raine's heart begins to melt for her, how long will he be able to hide his true nature when Jordan seems to want him so fiercely?

When Raine was ordered to take an offspring of Fae-king Feydon as his wife, he was reluctant in getting married again. But once he spotted Jordan, his body betrayed him tremendously… Will his heart follow?

As the middle of the Satyr brothers he is the second one to locate the Fae-daughter, whom he is ordered to take as his wife. His past experience with his first wife made him realize he never wants to marry again. That, combined with his past, makes him a tortured hero – as so longingly beloved amongst readers.

The beginning of this story is a bit difficult to get into, but once you read on, you see it is not due to the way it is written. It emphasizes Raine’s character formidably. He is regal, distance, aristocratic, annoyingly organized and reluctant to share his inner self, due to the hurt that is done to him in the past.

Jordan is a totally different character altogether. Split into two beings, because her mother needed a son, but is very much feminine inside. She’s a heroine to my heart. Strong-minded, funny, stubborn and set to make Raine laugh and enjoy life a bit more. She’s got the capability to make Raine walk a step out of pace from his organized life, bringing organized chaos into it.

I am amazed by Elizabeth Amber’s ability to bring three brothers to life, whom are very different from each other but work superbly well together. She is able to write their stories so, that you really feel their character throughout the whole length of their journey. Once one of the others are mentioned in the scenes, you straight away feel what their character is like, bringing such a change in scenery.

In this novel, the emphasis is not on the plotlines, even though things were surprising in the end. It was focused on getting to know Raine and Jordan, seeing them bloom to life and growing towards each other. That combined, ofcourse, with amazing passionate love making, which require a bit of an open mind. It made me realize I am more open minded than I thought I was. When introduced in the way Elizabeth Amber did, working really well within the story, it adds to it a lot. It fits within this story because it’s part of who Jordan really is and adds to the reading experience of getting to know her inner turmoil and creating her “new” identity for herself.

Despite the fact Nick and Raine really caught my attention and affection; my body, mind and soul belong to Lyon. He and his way of life make butterflies flutter in my belly. Nicholas’ and Raine’s stories are the base and the mix to the cake, but Lyon is the chocolate glazing and cherry to finish it off.

Needing to wait for the next story in line is a pleasant torture I’m willing to undergo – but having to say eagerly waiting what Lyon will bring to the mix! The Lords of Satyr is a trilogy that should not be missed on your bookshelves!

4 stars

Genre: Historical
Standalone novel
ISBN: 0-980-17800-2
Releasedate: January 2008
Publisher: Helm Publishing
Format owned: TPB signed
For sale at: The Book Depository Store

Synopsis
...When a chauvinistic knight lands in a castle full of women, somebody has to change…

Soldier of fortune, Garrick of Hawkwood is ill prepared for the women of Castle Ladyslipper, especially its hostile mistress, Emma d’Arcy. Garrick is haunted by the spirit of Emma’s great-great grandmother Rose. Her actions caused the curse plaguing Emma and her female relatives. Though clearly at odds, Emma and Garrick cannot deny the sultry heat rising between them.

Liberally laced with humor, Castle Ladyslipper resonates with a timeless theme: Love can flourish even when sown in the rocky soil of misunderstanding.

REVIEW
When Garrick gets the assignment to go to Fairfield and marry Helene, the Lady of the land, he is determined to do so. He however did not anticipate that she was not there, but her stepdaughter was. And the spitfiry Emma was not going to tell this beast of a man where her stepmother was residing. But when King Henry decides to pay Castle Ladyslipper a visit, destiny unfolds and Emma and Garrick get awestruck with his new order!

This is just one of those stories that give you such a pleasant read. No heavy-set emotions to go through, no struggling mating rituals, no new world to discover. Most stories make you feel like you go through it all yourself, but this story just give you a glimpse in the lives of Emma and Garrick. It makes you feel you’re allowed to just come along on their journey in life.

Garrick is a typical historical sexy hero, who goes by the orders of the King and sticks to them no matter what. But when he comes across stubborn, feisty and reluctant Emma, from then on he starts having trouble to do what was ordered. He stands for what he feels is right and is willing to do whatever necessary to get it done. Emma, however, has a mind of her own. Bound by a “magical curse”, brought upon the ladies in the castle by one of her ancestors, she is now the one to keep hold of the amulet and wears it as an everyday reminder.

What captured me most in this story is not the paranormal influence, even though it is there, it is not dominant, I loved that. It is telling a story of life in 1089-just life as it is. It is not always spectacular and Lee Grantier describes that in a great way. She writes with such humour in her writing as well as a flair that just has you chuckle a lot and giggle as well. If you want to get away from the stress from nowadays living, this is a great novel to do so. Most of the story is about Emma and Garrick even though the characters surrounding them do play a certain role in their whole involvement as well.

There were many characters coming to scene, but Lee Grantier handled it very well and was able to give them all their own characters while they were mentioned. I just fell in love with the aunties and William, who with their own unique ways are an addition to it all and just as much a red thread in the story as Garrick and Emma (so on a personal note I’m hoping to be able to read a bit more about them in the future ;-) hopefully in the form of a trilogy or series!). I just loved the fact that the women of Fairfield were independent and did not sit around and wait for the men to lead; they took matters in their own hands and stood behind their lord and lady!

The plot was surprising, I had not seen it coming and the fact that this novel tells a story in a timeframe of about a year makes that it stands out next to other novels. The centre stage of this story is the love that from the first pages on sizzle between the two main characters and the emotions that go with that. It takes guts to write a story like this describing everyday feelings – really well – to simply say how it is and use the emotions like doubt and hurt as the reason why things happen the way they do.

It is very difficult to tell a story around two main characters who both have self-doubt, similar “issues” to go through and then make it towards a smashing ending while remaining close to themselves, it was superb to see that in the end there was still a fire between the main characters that sparkled from the pages. I thought it was the icing to the cake when the second half of the story unfolded into the climax.

Sometimes simplicity in a story is the way to go and if you can write it down like Lee Grantier did, to me, which deserves praises.

It’s a heart-warming story that can best be described as giving you the feeling of seeing a falling star. A sweetness that stays with you and fills your heart – this is a medieval romance that really deserves the title romance. It’s a love story as many should be and I will most definitely cherish it and re-read it many times!

4 Stars

Genre: Paranormal
Book 1 in the Chronicles of MacKayla
ISBN: 0-385-33915-1
Releasedate: October 31, 2006
Publisher: Delacorte Press
Format owned: HC-Delacorte
For sale at: The Book Depository Store

Synopsis
MacKayla Lane’s life is good. She has great friends, a decent job, and a car that breaks down only every other week or so. In other words, she’s your perfectly ordinary twenty-first-century woman. Or so she thinks…until something extraordinary happens.

When her sister is murdered, leaving a single clue to her death–a cryptic message on Mac’s cell phone–Mac journeys to Ireland in search of answers. The quest to find her sister’s killer draws her into a shadowy realm where nothing is as it seems, where good and evil wear the same treacherously seductive mask. She is soon faced with an even greater challenge: staying alive long enough to learn how to handle a power she had no idea she possessed–a gift that allows her to see beyond the world of man, into the dangerous realm of the Fae...

As Mac delves deeper into the mystery of her sister’s death, her every move is shadowed by the dark, mysterious Jericho, a man with no past and only mockery for a future. As she begins to close in on the truth, the ruthless Vlane–an alpha Fae who makes sex an addiction for human women–closes in on her. And as the boundary between worlds begins to crumble, Mac’s true mission becomes clear: find the elusive Sinsar Dubh before someone else claims the all-powerful Dark Book–because whoever gets to it first holds nothing less than complete control of the very fabric of both worlds in their hands...

REVIEW
If you’re expecting a dark brooding highlander like in Karen Marie Monings Highlander series you’re in for a surprise. With this 1st novel in the Fever series Karen shows that she not only has a talent in writing a time-travel Highlander novel but she can also write a contemporary-suspense!!!

Eventhough this series is linked with the Highlander series it’s deliciously different, first of its set in Dublin-Ireland instead of Scotland and second off it’s written in the I-form. It did get me a chapter or two to get used to the I-form but once settled inside MacKayla’s head I loved being there. I found a marvellous place to settle in, and could so relate to the following scene:

Quote:
He barked “Air ye deaf, lass?”
I think he might have called me a hairy jackass…

It made me laugh out loud because I could really relate to that, having been there myself.

This story is Mac’s past, what happened there? I yearn to find out more, so I will soon dive into Bloodfever as it’s eyeing my from my shelf already tempting me in saying “Come hither, put your pen down, pick me up and READ ME!!!” Yeah alright in a minute *wink*…

While reading you truly get to know MacKayla, her feelings when she finds out all the things she is not. What I found brilliantly done was that in the first pages of this book you get to see what MacKayla used to be like. When she finds out all the things in her past that just isn’t what it seems and how it affects her you can still see bits of her back, eventhough changes in herself had to be made!

W I finished reading I think in the end I missed a concluded story a wee bit. There’s no real end yet so I’m glad I’m able to read on straight away. So many things are still up in the air making you think constantly about what will happen next. If I had to wait a year to dive into Bloodfever – I do not even want to comprehend! Because there was no real end to this novel yet, it didn’t mean it didn’t stop at the right moment. The setting in this series has been made, the introduction is complete and the follow up is coming so indeed overall it was great. The way this series is written, it either works or it doesn’t and I have to say in the way Karen Marie Moning has written it so far it works for me!

actually not written as fast-paste as what I’m used to from Karen Marie Moning; making the reading experience a whole different one. Because the story-telling has such a different angle you feel the feelings while reading it, in a whole different way as well.

A few characters have come to pass who stuck in my mind, and whom I die to get to know better, I mean there is Fiona, Jericho, V’Lane, the lady in the bar who keeps popping up! And not to forget

All-in-all it is a pure Karen Marie Moning novel. She has her own unique way of writing her stories. Humor is always a part of it, which is a must for me! I’m highly intrigued and looking forward to the follow ups in this series – if only to see more of V’Lane and Jericho. First of Jericho came across as a bit of a stuffy librarian type but the scene where he jumped from the roof (when you read it you’ll know what I mean) right then and there he stole my heart! And V’Lane – Alpha Fae to the core, so ofcourse I’m into him, if looks could only charm the pants off…. Owh wait – his look does *sigh and wickedly grinning*.

Quote:
Jericho said: “After the two of you have finished here, show ms Lane to a room. Tomorrow purchase shears and buy an assortment of hair colors for her to choose from.”
“A room?” Fiona exclaimed.
“Shears? Hair colors?” I exclaimed. My hands flew to my hair. I’d address the room part in a minute. I HAD my priorities.

4 Stars

Genre: Paranormal
Book 5 in the Blackdagger Brotherhood
ISBN: 0-451-22235-0
Releasedate: September 25, 2007
Publisher: Signet Eclipse
Format owned: HC Rhapsody & MPB
For sale at: The Book Depository Store

Synopsis
When he woke up in the hospital and saw her standing beside his bed four words came to his mind: She. Comes. With. Me!
Ruthless and brilliant, Vishous son of the Bloodletter possesses a destructive curse and a frightening ability to see the future. As a pretrans growing up in his father's war camp, he was tormented and abused.

As a member of the Brotherhood, he has no interest in love or emotion, only the battle with the Lessening Society. But when a mortal injury puts him in the care of a human surgeon, Dr. Jane Whitcomb compels him to reveal his inner pain and taste true pleasure for the first time- until a destiny he didn't choose takes him into a future that cannot include her.

REVIEW
Lover Unbound is in da House! Lock the door; put my phone on silence, the kettle on for tea – this girl was going nowhere! Vishous was ready, willing and able to settle down with me on my couch and if I had to pull an all-nighter: Well DUH ofcourse I would. My bonding scent started flowing and one word kept going through my mind: MINE!!!!

In the end it was not what I expected at all!!!!

I started reading and felt the vibe of the book, the way it was written – it was different from the first four novels. Not necessarily bad – no – I mean its V, my tormented hero, my fave out of the lot of them: in short my expectations were very high beforehand!

I couldn’t wait for the cuffs, whips and leather to dominate, the thing that made Vishous different from the other brothers, the thing that made him mine.

I got settled into the story, page 36-37 came (phoned my sister – she so HAD to call me as soon as she reached that page!) Owh yes, this was JR Ward as I knew her. The BDB-feeling came smack right back to me. So what, that this time around it took a few pages extra?! Right… RIGHT?!

After that moment those pages that played out the scene I started getting confused, gone again that feeling was. It felt like JR Ward was not in touch with the story; NOT in TOUCH with Vishous’ character at all! I know in every series there are novels more difficult to write for an author but I could nearly taste frustration, as if JR Ward struggled with words while putting V’s story together, and amazingly enough it only felt like that with V’s scenes. The scenes with i.e. Blay, John and Qhuinn were A-MA-ZING!

Jane’s character was lovely, nicely put to paper, she stick like glue and worked. Vishous I expected more stronger, more dominant, more in struggle with what he felt for Jane, towards his destiny and the expectations of his BDSM that was raised in the previous novels were downright disappointing for me. Especially in the first 260 pages I felt things could have been left out so that more pages could have been dedicated to deepening Jane and Vishous, but then to me it still would have been just plain and ordinary romance wise because I just don’t think Jane is the one for V. She just doesn’t do it for me. They don’t work like the other Mates in the brotherhood do. But in some ways I’m glad (my ID talking here ;-) ).

After struggling through the first 260 pages I took a break from reading, I was not going to pull an all-nighter this time. I had to distant myself from the confusion, frustration and disappointment. I already had put it aside a few times before but this time I took more than a day for a break. Figured because I really wanted to finish reading this novel I was stressing myself too much and maybe that being the reason I couldn’t get in touch with this story.

After my time of contemplation V started whispering to me again, pulling me back towards Caldwell NY and when I started reading again the last 250 pages grabbed me and I got into the story – the BDB-feeling came back again, jus not as strong as the first four novels gave me. Even though the romance between V and Jane still didn’t grab me in the last half of the book. The built up towards it seemed to take forever and it just wasn’t as explosive as I would have wanted it to be.

Despite the fact the romance part didn’t work for me in this novel, the secondary plotlines were brought so amazingly it totally balanced itself out. I know this was suppose to be V’s story and I have the feeling, for me, it’s just too early in this series but towards the end you are so deeply involved into the characters being entwined in this world and together, that it opted for nothing else than having this story now. There was just no other way.

Be prepared though for some serious Kleenex-moments! The last 70-100 pages I think I went through half a box. The ending between V and Jane – in my opinion – would have been stronger if the Scribe Virgin didn’t do what she did. It would have left things more emotional, stronger, for the time being within the series. For me it doesn’t always have to be a HEA to still make it a good novel.

The story leaves a lot open to be discussed, and promises great things for the near future as a lot of plotlines are still to be played out in the coming novels, which is making this novel a superb series-novel.

I thought Zsadist and John really work together as characters. To see how Zsadist is growing in each novel I think is really put to paper very well. He still isn’t where he should be and due to the fact what he’s been through probably will always have his intense reactions, but overall he is adapting marvellously. Bella’s difficulty, seeming how we already know the outcome, didn’t have that big of an impact on me as it probably should have. And I actually missed Lassiter in V’s story. They seemed to be linked and connected in some way and still have a feud to come to terms with so I was amazed to learn he has no part in this story at all! I did however miss the ritual that, up to now, always seemed to have appeared in each book and the change in writing in this novel I think JR Ward is going to continue. Though maybe I feel it would have been better to continue writing the old way for the “original” warriors, because of the intensity that it brought forth. V and Phury’s characters would’ve been worth it.

I know I’ve been saying that I could do without the Lesser parts in the previous novels but I really missed it in this novel, not so much the lesser but the action that sprang from it. It gave the novels a thrill that made your blood pressure go up and heart rate go through the roof! It gave it OEMPH!

In my opinion the change in writing is not a bad thing at all. It just requires getting used to, but I like it. Just a little warning for those who still have to read this novel: don’t expect what you had before. Go into this novel blank and let the story lead you, don’t hold on to your expectations. This new path JR Ward has gone into sets her apart from the rest of the authors yet again. I’m seriously looking forward to Lover Enshrined ~ only 246 days to go till June 3rd, 2008 ~ the countdown has begun.

What is amazing to me is that out of all the novels (despite the different vibe of this one!); on a deeper level this one touched something inside of me. It stays with me so much longer than the others and leaves an awful lot to discuss and that combined with my overall look on the story making me still give this novel 4 Stars!

JR Ward, for me you did it again!

4 Stars

Genre: Regency
Standalone novel
ISBN: 0-060-77315-4
Releasedate: May 1, 2005
Publisher: Harper Collins Publishers Inc.
Format owned: MPB
For sale at: The Book Depository Store

Synopsis
Alex Scarston: Earl of Selbourne. Rake. Spy. With his efforts for England in the war against the French suspended, family obligations compel him to investigate the disappearance of Viscount Brigham's son. When the viscount's daughter becomes involved as well, Alex finds himself entangled in a venture that risks both heart and soul.

It's not that Lucia Dashing, youngest daughter of Lord Brigham, wants Alex to go away. She just wishes he weren't always so close - perhaps a few rooms, or streets, or continents between them would bank the heat of her attraction. But when her brother disappears and every clue indicates his safe recovery essential to the very sovereignty of England, she's no choice but to engage the earl in a battle risking her brother, her country, and her love.

REVIEW
Top notch Regency-for me anyway, it's just the way I want my regency to be! Charming, thrilling, sparkling is what comes to mind after reading this novel. Having read not a lot of novels in this genre I do know Shana Galen is a rising author of the new generation.

For the time it took me to read this book it has kept me in its thrall. It’s fast-written so you get caught up in the story straight away and it’s such an easy read that you totally forget the time.

Ofcourse the characters were breathtaking, I absolutely adored Lucia, more so because I recognize a lot of myself in her, making it all the more fun to read how she quickly wraps Alex around her fingers. I think it’s best to describe her as a Regency-chick with balls!!!

Now Alex is a whole different thing, you just have to love him. Throughout the length of the novel it was funny to read how he struggled with his feelings of love, without it taking the overhand!

The side-characters were amazing as well, making me very much curious how things will go on with Freddie and John. Because Freddie is a totally different man altogether and I for one want to peel of all the layers surrounding him, just like we did with Alex! And John, if he is anything like his twin-sister we are in for a ride with him as well. So maybe in the future we are able to read how things end with them as well!

It was a perfectly balanced novel. Not too much of this not too much of that. And the title fits the story perfect because it applies in so many different ways in this book.

I think I’m just awed by this smashing novel off Shana’s hands. It made me want to go and get more of her novels. I can hardly wait to read another one. Especially since it’s a light-read without missing any of the emotions, excitement and romance. It is still having me in its grip and in my opinion that makes it a perfect novel altogether.

Praises for Shana Galen all the way for putting a story like ‘When Dashing met Danger’ to paper!!!!

Quote of Lucia’s mind rambling about Alex:
“Oh! Horrid insolent man! He’s a rake, a scoundrel, a blackguard and – Infuriating man! Damn him!”

And most brilliant ofcourse was the scene where Lucia breaks into Alex’ home through a small window in the library – Priceless!!!!

4 Stars

OMG! What can I say? Enthralling, catching, highly erotic and satisfying to the very core of your being! When you start reading this novel you’re being pulled into the story and a world which you just cannot put down till you finished reading the last word written. I compare it to the forbidden fruit which you secretly do eat and afterwards enjoying the fact you can still lick the juice of your fingertips! And still Nicholas is whispering to me. This is definitely a story that will stay with you a while after you finished reading it.

The story-lines of the Lords of Satyr are refreshingly new to me. I can’t really say what kind of genre it falls into apart from the Erotic one – and Erotic it is – but it’s holding a genre in the likes of fantasy/paranormal/historical. Never before have I read such scene’s filled with wickedly delightfulness, described in a way it really comes across as erotical, and making you feel tingled up, nearly longing for Nicholas to cuddle up next to you, showing you what he’s all about.

In my opinion some books in this genre are on the border of being pornographic: the story being more about the sex-scenes instead of the story. But when, like Elizabeth Amber, you are able to write Erotica Novels where you forget the genre and being sucked into a story filled with such passion, rituals, magic and love, then to me you are top-notch A list quality!

Nicholas and Jane both are in their own way perfect for each other. It was so touching to see Jane needing to get used to what she was, trying so desperately all her life hiding her abnormalities and Nicholas just accepting her straight upfront for who she is. And Nicholas… – just purring perfect as a great man. Of course I had to putt my own self aside when he had to relief himself in a way I would never accept it from my man, but all things set aside, it did perfectly fit in with the story. And because it totally fit in the story and was described in such a way that you could clearly see the logic in it, I was able to fathom it and accept it for what is was and needed to be for him.

There was this amazingly perfect balance between the characters; the story and the world Elizabeth has created. I can hardly wait for the next novel to be released. After reading this novel, Elizabeth left me eager to read along and see what will happen with Raine en Lyon and not to forget Emma of course! Elizabeth, straight away in this first novel, was able to set the strongly different characters of the Lords of Satyr to paper and to be honest – I just love Lyon! I’d say he’s the rake in this bunch, the one who does as he pleases and does not feel like settling down really! I so am curious to see what he’ll do once his time has come! I mean, this all came to me, especially after that one scene with him, a waterfall, and sex – that’s all I’ll say but once you read this novel you’ll just know what I mean.

Honest to say, Elizabeth Amber has totally baffled me with this novel, making it reach above all my expectations. Daring to shift things around, but not losing the fact it’s still about two people emerging with each other in sacred vows and growing towards loving each other. To me this novel held everything I needed/longed to see back in a story and knowing as soon as Raine is out I’ll be the first to dive into his story. Can’t wait to see if he finally is able to find his bride – he had a somewhat more difficult time with seeker her out than Nicholas did and I say he’s a bit frustrated about that! Elizabeth – don’t make him wait too long – that’ll be torture (wickedly grinning)!

A slamming debut for an author that shoot straight up to my A-list shelf!

Genre: Paranormal
Book 1 in the Runes of Fae series
ISBN: 0-505-52432-5
Releasedate: Februari 2001
Publisher: Dorchester Publishing
Format owned: MPB
For sale at: The Book Depository Store

Synopsis
For Megan, illumination comes in a thunder-crash: She is not the pawn of abusive men. And though the modern world disappears and everything she's ever known spirals into oblivion, the strange warrior who appears to her gives the beauty a feeling that everything will be all right. His kisses electrify her, making her body burn.

She is in a strange land, and a strange time--and yet everything seems perfect. It is clear why she has been summoned. This isn't about Faerie prophecies or wizardry, or a desperate struggle to find a way home; this is a quest to save a hero's heart. And she feels destined to prevail, because with her help, she knows this handsome prince can discover the most potent magic of all: love.

REVIEW
Funny, witty, charming, enchanting. With all paranormal/historical novels about Faeries and time travelling being published, Karen Whiddon has taken a side turn writing a fairytale for adults. That’s what the feel of this novel gave me. I really enjoyed her way of storytelling and the words used to make sentences just totally fit in with the time this story was set in – 1072 – I would recommend this novel to anyone who loves Historical and/or Paranormal, because it’s so appealing. I just sighed when I had finished this and had that contend feeling a perfectly written novel can give you!

I was captured by Kenric of Blackstone neither human nor Fae but half of each who took an oath on his fathers grave to produce “human-heirs” and be the human his half-brothers never got the chance to be. He managed well till Megan of Dallas Texas walked into his life, and messes up a perfect laid out plan for the future. It was captivating to read Kenrics struggle with his magical power. But with the help of his friend Lancelot and Megan he’s going to have to face his past and destiny. And when his warrior heart claims Megan as HIS – well which girl doesn’t fall for that…

It’s amazing to see how Karen made the world of Fae her own, gave it an appealing twist with adoring main characters. She describes differences between human and Fae with such finesse that once in the Rune-world you totally forget that you are reading a story about “humans”. She took the myths of faeries, used it exactly how it’s written and makes you not want to leave again!!!

I’ve had so many emotions surge through me, laughter, love, admirations and my throat tightening with held back tears – and ofcourse not succeeding in holding them back – but nonetheless point for effort right? For a while I was captured in the enchanting realm Karen Whiddon has created and I’m glad the other novels of this ‘Fae of Rune’ series are on my bookshelves so I’m already able to read on!

For those who love the Historical/Paranormal my advice is ~ try to get your hands on this series because it’s worth every penny you spend!

Quote
“Too beautiful, my love. A ring made of twigs would be fine,” she murmured, “As long as it binds me to you.”

4 stars

Genre: Fantasy
Book 1 in the Lords of Avalon series
ISBN: 0-7394-6647-6
Releasedate: March 2006
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers Inc
Format owned: HC Rhapsody & MPB
For sale at: The Book Depository Store

Synopsis
The new king of Camelot wears no shining armor: Arthur and his knights have fallen and a new king rules.

In the darkest forest....

A scared, forsaken child has become the most powerful --and feared-- man in the world. Ruthless and unrestrained, Kerrigan has long ceased to be human and has become something else entirely.

In the heart of London...

An unassuming peasant, Seren dreams of becoming her own woman. All she wants is to leave behind her drudgery and penury. But she never expects that running from her fate will put her in the path of her destiny.

Their worlds are forever changed...

Kerrigan's goal is simple: Barter or kill Seren to claim Arthur's sacred Round Table. But simple it's not, for she is the one person who holds no fear of him, a woman whose honesty sparks something foreign inside him. But in his nether realm, kindness is weakness and a king who harbors any sort of compassion loses his throne.

For countless centuries, Kerrigan has lived alone in the shadows until the day when one woman's courage forces him into the light that could either be both their salvations, or both their deaths.

REVIEW
When I read the prologue I thought hmmm is this a book for me? I was in doubt. My first ever book by Kinley 'Master of Desire' was a bit of a disappointment, but... my sister was so madly enthusiastic about this book that I just wanted to finish it, to make up my own mind. And I'm glad I did!!!!

The first chapter had me caught within the story straight away. The darkness of Kerrigan that slowly melted by the softness of Seren. To me it was the perfect mixture of good and bad - the perfect balance of duality. The bloodritual that combined their powers, memories, knowledge to me was a bit too much like vampirism... the biting and sucking blood and to me was a wrong context within these storylines.

The legend of King Arthur is a perfect opportunity to have your imagination stretched to the maximum as an author. To me it came across as a bit comical as the phrase 'I vant to suck ur blood' after reading this bloodritual kept playing in my mind. With that in my mind, I was less into the story, not like I was in it as before.

This story was told in the early centuries and what I missed was the "medieval" language. The use of common slang when there were conversations was something that felt wrong to me, as well as the timetravel to the 21st century. In this story I was less swept away by the time-travelling aspect, it should have been left out or explored more.

The first 220-230 pages were fantastic, swept me off my feet and had me captured and even seduced in taking 'a bath with Kerrigan' but towards the end I was a bit disappointed. The ending however with Seren saving Kerrigan and the epilogue were great again.

To me as Sherrilyn Kenyon she writes great near to superb stories all the way, stories that swipe me off my feet everytime, but as Kinley MacGregor I still have to be captured by her charm.But up to book no. 2 in the Lord of Avalons series.

I'm in doubt about the stars, it's not 3,5 stars and not yet 4 stars either.

4 Stars

JR Ward – Dark Lover

Genre: Paranormal
Book 1 in the Black Dagger Brotherhood
ISBN: 0-451-21695-4
Releasedate: September 2005
Publisher: Penguin Putnam Inc.
Format owned: HC Rhapsody & MPB
For sale at: The Book Depository Store

Synopsis
In the shadows of the night in Caldwell, New York, there's a deadly turf war going on between vampires and their slayers. There exists a secret band of brothers like no other-six vampire warriors, defenders of their race. Yet none of them relishes killing more than Wrath, the leader of The Black Dagger Brotherhood.

The only purebred vampire left on earth, Wrath has a score to settle with the slayers who murdered his parents centuries ago. But, when one of his most trusted fighters is killed-leaving his half-breed daughter unaware of his existence or her fate-Wrath must usher her into the world of the undead-a world of sensuality beyond her wildest dreams.

REVIEW
Lately I have read so many vampire-novels that I thought 'oh no, not another one'. But I heard so much about the Black Dagger Brotherhood Warriors that my senses started tingling, my hands started shaking and my mind kept saying: 'read-it; read-it; read-it'. I finally gave in and all I can say is: "Yes I am truly and utterly a self-confessed Vampire-addict with a thirst for more". And after reading Dark Lover, on top of it all I have a hunger for Rhage; a longing for Zsadist...you get my point. Especially those who have also read this series, I'm hooked!!!!

I had some trouble at first getting the glossary fixed in my head, because, lets face it, all vampire novels have that good/bad world combined in one, but all authors want their own terms to make them different from all the rest. But once I got the hang of it I got sucked in the story.Wrath and Beth are great characters. Beth is a very strong self-reliant woman and with all the testosteron "me tarzan, you jane" Alpha Males in this series that is exactly what this novel needed to make it spectacular. Sparks flying around from the moment BEth and Wrath meet. Let's be honest, don't we all long for that instant chemistry that leads to great sex?! Not you??? Well I say : I do!!!The story is marvellous, absolutely formidable, but... always that small but... what kept slowing me down while reading it was the whole Lesser-section in between. It felt like a novel within the novel and not something that was actually part of the story. There were connecting points - yes - but it didn't do it for me. Towards the end it came together a bit more, but the parts in between didn't connect as a whole story. I've been told this will be better in part 2 & 3 of this series.

Despite all the Vampire Series out there after reading this book, I felt like JR Ward has turned it around in a whole new packeage/scenery which makes it interesting, fun, and refreshing. I really loved the way she has written it and although some rough language is used in a way I thought 'isn't it a bit much' but then realized that it suits the Warriors so perfectly. What however did bother me a bit was, that sometimes abbreviations were used like : BMOC handsome; and like BVD's underwear - I mean I never heard of those before and I lived in Ireland.... Maybe she should have put those in her glossary as well... just for those outside the USA who are not common with them.

But all in all JR Ward has claimed her way into my heart with these superb Warriors. Definitely an author who has all my praise!!!! I couldn't wait to start in the next novel so (cheeky grin) I already have and all I can say is hmmmm yummy!!!!

4 Stars

Karen Marie Moning – The Highlander’s Touch

Genre: Paranormal
Book 3 in the Highlander series
ISBN: 0-7394-1365-1
Releasedate: November 2000
Publisher: Dell Publishing
Format owned: MPB
For sale at: The Book Depository Store

Synopsis
A warrior of immortal powers
He was a mighty Scottish warrior who lived in a world bound by ancient laws and timeless magic. But no immortal powers could prepare the laird of Castle Brodie for the lovely, accursed lass who stood before him. A terrible trick of fate had sent her 700 years back in time and into his private chamber to tempt him with her beauty - and seduce him with a desire he could never fulfill. For this woman he burned to possess was also the woman he was sworn to destroy.

A woman caught in the mists of time
When Lisa felt the earth move under her feet, the fiercely independent 21st century woman never dreamed she was falling... into another century. But the powerful, naked warrior who stood glaring down at her was only too real... and too dangerously arousing. irresistibly handsome he might be, but Lisa had no intention of remaining in this savage land torn by treachery and war. How could she know that her seductive captor had other plans for her... plans that would save her from a tragic fate? Or that the man who had long ago forsaken love would defy time itself to claim her for his own...

REVIEW
I had trouble getting into this story. To me, after 'to tame a highland warrior' it was too quickly a changeover between a highlander to part "fae". But maybe that is because I haven't read 'beyond the highland mist' yet, I know Adam Black makes an appearance in that as well. Once or twice in the first 2 chapters I felt that this might not be a book for me to read on, the changeover from current century to 700 years ago came rapid and I felt it should have been a bit more detailed, it was like in the beginning I missed parts of the story but once Circenn Brodie and Lisa Stone had encoutered eachother I got into the story immensely and enjoyed it very much, I had great laughs about the cleaning swipes for guns, also know to us present selves as tampons.... I would have loved to have seen the look on Circenn's face once he was told the true use for it, but then again, I can imagine....

Glad to say, I have recently (24th September 2006) seen the movie 'Braveheart' for the first time (I know, shame on me....) as Karen Marie Moning makes some references to this movie, which again made me have giggle-figs.

I am not one for quoting from stories but I have to share this one because it made me roll over with laughter:
Imagine king Robert the Bruce ~almighty, majestically, prowing with power~ hugging 21st century Lisa Stone who admired him and his legend, at that point thinking she was to wed Circenn saying while broadly smiling : "May you be as fertile as the hare. We need dozens of his sons in this land."He laughed and patted her abdomen. Lisa blushed, concerned that he might pat her breasts and inquire about her nursing abilities.

Overall a great read with a lot of humor. To me it's worth 4 stars at least!!!

4 Stars