Book Review – Chosen by Desire (ARC)

Chosen by Desire,
Book 2 in The Guardians of Destiny Series
Written by: Kate Perry
Published by: Forever
Date: October 1st, 2009
Pages: 368
Format: Mass Market Paperback
ISBN: 978-0446541015
(Available NOW!)

“Chosen by Desire is a mouth-watering paranormal romance guaranteed to make you blush; a fast-paced story that pulses with action, emotion and luscious, sensual romance”

Bookish and devoted to her work, Carrie Woods is the last person who you could imagine as a thief; yet here she is, stealing ancient texts and scrolls from a Chinese monastery for her research project. Terrified by her criminal behavior, Carrie is doubly shocked when a monk seems catches her attention. With steely determination, Carrie clutches her bag of stolen goodies even closer to her and carries on her way. Maximillian Prescott knew by her nervous movements that the blond woman had something that didn’t belong to her. In his monk robe he felt that it should be someone elses job to find out what she had taken; unfortunately, Max’s master had other plans. As Max re-joins the outside world he lures the unsuspecting Carrie into a trap; needing to know exactly what she has stolen from the monastery, Max becomes her employer, which puts Carrie in his home, right where he wants her.

I have enjoyed both books in this fantastic series and if anything, book 2 is even better! I loved this story and I adored all the piping-hot sensuality and sexual tension that surrounds Max and Carrie, when they are together. Max is gorgeous, gruff, domineering and guarded while Carrie is open, honest (except for the latest misstep) and generous to a fault; they compliment each other well and I fell in love with their story. There is sizzling erotic bedroom (and other places) scenes; they are descriptive and sexy HOT, HOT, HOT! I enjoyed the witty banter between Carrie and Max as well as the relationship between Carrie & her mother and Carrie & Gabe, from Book 1 in the series.
I very highly recommend this book to Kate Perry fans and to all paranormal romance lovers!!!

♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦ (10 out of 10 Diamonds) – Absolutely LOVED it!!
 

Read more about Chosen by Desire.
Find out where to buy this book.

Author’s Website
Publisher’s Website

A special thanks to A. at  Hachette Book Group for sending me a copy of this book to review.

Book Review – Tall, Dark & Fangsome (ARC)

Tall, Dark & Fangsome
Immortality Bites, Book #5
Written by: Michelle Rowen
Published by: Forever
Date: September 2009
Pages: 352
Format: Mass Market Paperback
ISBN: 978-0446505857
(Available NOW!)

Product Description – From Amazon.com
“Sarah Dearly’s vampire life is not all B-positive cocktails. A curse made her a nightwalker, the most vicious vamp there is; the charm she wears to curb her deadly tendencies is losing its juice; and a hunter from hell is turning up the heat. Gideon Chase will kill the ones she loves most if she doesn’t obey his orders. That includes breaking up with master vampire Thierry and turning Gideon into an immortal vamp so he can escape a doom of eternal hellfire.
Making things worse are Sarah’s growing feelings for Gideon, a bad boy who keeps showing a vulnerable side . . . but is it for real? Will Sarah’s dark side take over? Or can she cure herself of the nightwalker curse in time to stop Gideon and finally live happily ever after with Thierry . . . forever?”

Tall, Dark & Fangsome is something else; in a good way of course! Set in Toronto, Ontario this story has the appearance of a contemporary romance novel…until you start reading. I haven’t read books 1-4, but this final volume in the Immortality Bites series is a winner in my books! There are so many colourful, well-developed characters in this story that it was hard to choose a favourite. With a fast-paced, action-filled plot the reader is going to have a really hard time putting the book down. There is a wealth of romance in this story even though there isn’t any graphic sexual content; there are some super-HOT, romantic moments that sizzle. Sarah Dearly was turned into a vampire by Thierry de Bennicoeur in one of the earlier books so one could say that she has “grown into her fangs” by book 5. Her life seems to be confrontation after confrontation but Sarah does her best to persevere through it all with scathing wit, sarcastic humour and a deadly sense of purpose. Thierry and Sarah have a strong connection to one another despite the fact that Sarah was forced to end their relationship in an attempt to protect everyone she loves. With a cast of humans, vampires, demons, vampire hunters and a nightwalker, the reader is guaranteed a good time. Hold on to your seats and prepare yourself for a paranormal romance that will take you for one WILD ride.
I very highly recommend this book!

♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦ (10 out of 10 Diamonds) – Absolutely LOVED it!!
 

Read more about Tall, Dark & Fangsome.
Find out where to buy this book.

Author’s Website
Publisher’s Website

A special thanks to Anna at Hachette Book Group for sending me a copy to review.

Book Review – Lucan: The Pendragon Legacy (ARC)

Lucan
The Pendragon Legacy, Book #1
Written by: Susan Kearney
Published by: Forever
Date: September 2009
Pages: 368
Format: Mass Market Paperback
ISBN: 978-0446543316
(Available NOW!)

Product Description – From Amazon.com
“THEIR LOVE IS FORBIDDEN
Healer and high priestess of her people, Lady Cael is fated to life without a mate. But a mysterious explorer named Lucan Rourke doesn’t know her secrets, and his touch makes her crave a future that her extraordinary birthright has forbidden her. . .
BUT DANGER IS NO MATCH FOR DESIRE
Lucan has just one mission on Pendragon: to find the mythical Holy Grail, Earth’s only hope for survival. His powerful attraction to Cael is a distraction he can’t afford, unless he convinces her to join forces with him. Yet working so closely together only heightens their passion . . . even when the terrifying truth of Cael’s heritage threatens to shatter Lucan’s every belief-and the galaxy itself.”

Lucan: The Pendragon Legacy is an extraordinary book! This paranormal romance novel is one of my new favourites because it’s jam-packed with action, adventure and erotic romance. Lady Cael, high priestess to her people, is isolated by a wall of fear and reverence. Her rank and position among her people offers untold riches and magnificence but she can never share her life with anyone. When Lucan Rourke begins working alongside Lady Cael on an archaeological dig, she senses that there is something different about him and his confidence and ease of manner surprises and pleases her; the attraction between them is forbidden but that doesn’t keep either of them from wanting more. Lucan is fiercely protective of beautiful Lady Cael and it warms the heart. There are some amazing things that happen in this story, but I can’t share them with you because I would ruin it for you; suffice it to say that this paranormal romance isn’t afraid to take the reader outside their realm of reality and create worlds that are so realistic that you get pulled into the story right away. This fast-paced plot will take you on a wild ride that soars with emotion, drama and romance.
I highly recommend this book!

♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦ (9 out of 10 Diamonds) – Loved it!
 

Read more about Lucan: The Pendragon Legacy, Book #1.
Find out where to buy this book.

Author’s Website
Publisher’s Website

A special thanks to Anna at Hachette Book Group for sending me a copy to review.

Book Review of ‘Wild Highland Magic (ARC)’

Wild Highland Magic
Written By: Kendra Leigh Castle
Published By: Sourcebooks Casablanca, an imprint of Sourcebooks Inc., 2009, First Edition, 384 pages, paperback
ISBN 978-1402218569
(Available NOW!)

“Wild Highland Magic is the perfect blend of fantasy, romance and fast-paced adventure.”

Product Description – From Amazon.com
“As soon as she laid eyes on him, her animal instincts took over.
For generations, the MacInnes werewolves have been guarding the portal between Earth and the Drakkyn realm. Bastian and his sister came through the portal from Drakkyn, seeking sanctuary in the beautiful Scottish Highlands and relief from the curse that haunts him. Solitary and despairing, Bastian must find a way to break the curse or it will kill him.
A family squabble 25 years ago drove a rift between the MacInnes alpha and his brother, and Catrionna MacInnes has never met her MacInnes relatives nor had any guidance in how to be a werewolf. When her father brings his family to Scotland seeking reconciliation, Cat lays eyes on Bastian, and her most basic animal instincts kick in. Bastian tries to resist Cat – no good can come of their attraction – but she won’t take no for an answer. She knows that all she wants – what she must have – is to mark him as her own.”

Wild Highland Magic is a very satisfying read. I was a little apprehensive about this book because often times it is very difficult to blend fantasy together with real life and make is convincing; lucky for us, Kendra was able to write this story with seamless ease and it is riveting! This smoothly flowing novel has a few plot twists, though nothing much unexpected. I found it a little difficult to keep all the different tribes/kinds of characters, apart; initially, I had to refer to the helpful descriptions at the front of the book. These vivid, unique worlds that Kendra has created are really something to behold; it’s very difficult to describe how fantastical yet believable these places are and I was intrigued by all of the different aspects of this novel. Each of the characters is well developed. I enjoyed the sizzle between Catrionna (Cat) and Bastian; they give new meaning to love at first sight. The sex scenes are piping hot with sensual aggression and steamy love-play. Poppy (Cat’s youngest sister) and Lucien are a wonderful contrast to the type of relationship that Cat and Bastian have; they are both sarcastic and somewhat unwilling in love. I didn’t want this story to end and when I reached the final page, I still wanted to read more about these amazing characters…I’m looking forward to many more books in the series, I hope!
I thoroughly enjoyed this novel from beginning to end and I highly recommend it!

♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦ (9 out of 10 Diamonds) – Loved it!
 

Link to the Author’s website:
http://www.kendraleighcastle.com/
Link to the Publisher’s Website:
http://www.sourcebooks.com/

A special thanks to Danielle at Sourcebooks for sending me a copy to review.

Book Review – Demon’s Hunger

Demon’s Hunger
Written By: Eve Silver
Published By: Forever, an imprint of Grand Central Publishing, 2008, First Edition, 368 pages, paperback
ISBN 978-0446618939

“Demon’s Hunger is a sizzling, high-tension and extremely entertaining romance novel!”

Product Description – From Amazon.com
“The Compact of Sorcerers, a brotherhood sworn to protect the wall between the human and demon realms, is thrust into battle with an unseen evil that threatens to destroy them all…
Forensic anthropologist Vivien Cairn fears she’s losing her mind. Her libido has kicked into overdrive, and she’s blacking out, leaving hours of her life unaccounted for and no memory of where she’s been or what she’s done. But when a sexy stranger rescues her from a demon attack, Vivien realizes there’s more than just her sanity at stake.
A seductive killer is luring victims, and Sorcerer Dain Hawkins finds himself walking a dangerous line between ancient duty and sizzling desire when the brotherhood–and Vivien herself–begins to suspect that her mysterious symptoms may connect her to the crimes. Can Dain save Vivien from the evil that threatens to claim her? Or will they both succumb to…
DEMON’S HUNGER”

Demon’s Hunger is a really creative and thrilling paranormal romance novel. The story is refreshingly unique with electrifying and imaginative plot twists that leave you with a feeling of intense satisfaction. The pacing is excellent with a smooth flow that surges into the magical and sexual confrontations between darkness and light. The characters are very likable; each with their own story and fascinating personality. The romantic pull between Vivien and Dain is so exquisitely written and with such vivid detail that it leaves no doubt about this Author’s skill and talent. I really enjoyed reading this book and I hope to read and review more from Eve Silver, very soon.
I highly recommend this book!

♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦ (9 out of 10 Diamonds) – Loved it!
 

Link to the Author’s website:
http://www.evesilver.net/
Link to the Publisher’s Website:
http://www.hachettebookgroup.com/

A special thanks to Renee at Hachette Book Group for sending me a copy to review.

Book Review – Warrior

Warrior
Written By: Cheryl Brooks
Published By: Sourcebooks Casablanca, an imprint of Sourcebooks Inc., 2008, First Edition, 321 pages, paperback
ISBN 978-1402214400

“Warrior is a bizarre mixture of paranormal romance and animal perversion.”

Product Description – Amazon.com
“Second in the series, this sexy paranormal features a lovely witch with powers of healing, communicating with animals telepathically and fire-throwing, and an enslaved Zetithian warrior-a being from a planet where the people had a feline gene, making him sensuous, graceful, beautiful and remarkably virile. Tisana is an alien/human hybrid living on the planet Utopia, an Earth colony founded by those looking to get back to a simpler, non-mechanized way of life more in harmony with nature. The witches of Utopia are only female, rarely marry, and will only bear one daughter with a special male referred to as Leo, one of a band of Zetithian warriors captured when his planet was destroyed, and sold into slavery throughout the galaxy, has been beaten nearly to death by his former master, and is brought by his new owner to TIsana to heal him. Tisana cares for Leo, who finally stops trying to escape and accepts her ministrations, which begin to include mesmerizing lovemaking…until the two are drawn into a rescue mission by Leo’s new owner, whose sons have been kidnapped by a neighboring village lord. Pursuing the boys through snowstorms and sword fights, Tisana must locate them by communicating with the animal population, and she must find a way to win her new lover/beloved from the jealous man who would do anything to thwart her if he knew that Leo was her destined.”

Warrior is by far the most disturbing and nauseating romance novel that I’ve ever read! The story itself is wonderful and imaginative with fantastic plot twists and great momentum and the characters are well written and compelling. The heroine is amusing and really likable, while the hero is sexy and captivating. The lovemaking/sex scenes however, are a mixture of smack-you-in-the-face vulgarity and indecent animal sex with a graphic detail that, quite frankly, turned my stomach. Believe me when I say I have a very high tolerance for the creepy, the imaginative and the “out-there”, but honest to goodness, these sex scenes ruined almost all of the books potential, romantic worth. The heroine’s insatiable desire for the “protein” from the horse-like appendage, that the hero gladly and frequently feeds her is…OMG GROSS!
I could barely finish this book…it gave me the creeps and destroyed any desire that I may have had, to read any other book in this series.
The author deserves a lot of credit for originality and uniqueness, but the sex scenes that are so frequent in this book (as they can often be in a romance novel) are just too far-off even my weird-o-meter scale!

♦♦♦♦ (4 out of 10 Diamonds) – I sort-of liked it
 

Link to the Author’s website:
http://cherylbrooksonline.com/
Link to the Publisher’s Website:
http://www.sourcebooks.com/

A special thanks to Danielle at Sourcebooks for sending me a copy to review.

Book Review – Marked by Passion (ARC)

Marked by Passion
Written By: Kate Perry
Published By: Forever, an imprint of Grand Central Publishing, 2009, First Edition, 400 pages, paperback
ISBN 978-0446541008
(Available NOW!)

“Marked by Passion has a healthy does of magic, some martial arts and a ghostly guide; this novel keeps you hopping and sizzles with sexual tension.”

Product Description – From Amazon.com
“Out of the blue one day Gabrielle Sansouci Chin receives an ancient scroll that she discovers she was destined to protect. Her possession only means one thing…her father is dead. Gabe has no idea how she is going to balance her new responsibilities as a Guardian with being a painter by day and a bartender by night. Having just been contracted for her new ‘Enter the Light’ series, Gabe tries to handle it all. But it seems like her luck has run dry when she’s ill-trained to take her proper place as guardian, having a dry spell at painting, and for some reason can’t help but fall for Rhys Llewellyn, the sexy Brit who offers his help in more ways than one…”

Marked by Passion is a very engaging novel. The story is fascinating, with a set of highly detailed characters who are very striking and distinctive. The settings are described so well that you feel like you are in the room with the characters. The plot takes exciting twists and turns, making me wish I have super powers too! The pacing of the story was really great and the speed was quickened at just the right moments to propel the flow of the story into the suspenseful action scenes. Gabe (Gabrielle) and Rhys are steamy-as-heck and have a sumptuous chemistry; they sure made me hot under the collar!
I highly recommend this book!

♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦ (8 out of 10 Diamonds) – Thoroughly enjoyed it
 

Link to the Author’s website:
http://www.kateperry.com/

Link to the Publisher’s Website:
http://www.hachettebookgroup.com/

A special thanks to Renee at Hachette Book Group for sending me a copy to review.

Book Review of ‘What Witches Want’

Monday, September 22, 2008 – original post

What Witches Want,
Book Two of the Witchery Series
Written By: Laura Stamps
Published By: Trytium Publishing, Apex North Carolina, 2008, First Edition, 259 pages, softcover
ISBN-13: 978-0-9798413-2-3

“What Witches Want is an entertaining story that wraps you in the comforting and spell-binding arms of the Wiccan faith”

Savannah Monroe is a thirty-five year old Wiccan Faery Witch who owns a successful business called ‘Savannah’s Magickal Handbags’.
Her now ex-husband Reece is a negative man who had taken the joy out of everyday life for the loving and friendly Savannah. Moving to South Carolina was just what she needed for a new start and inspiration.
One morning Savannah finds a messenger of light; a small kitten that she happily welcomes into her home. Unsure of what the furry little bundle’s appearance may portend, Savannah is pleased that her good friend Ravena drops by for a chat. It seems as though the kitten’s arrival means that good fortune is in the cards for the kind-hearted Savannah.

What Witches Want walks you through the lives and loves of several pagans living in suburban South Carolina. Laura Stamps writes with a loving hand; all the spells, rites, vegetarian recipes, magical charms and invites you into Savannah Monroe’s home and her life as a passive observer to all the elements of her day.
I had a little difficulty getting into the book initially because it is so different from what I am used to reading.  The story was quite slow in the beginning but it was also very refreshing because of its unique content and characters.
Though I have no experience with the Wiccan Faith and I myself am an Atheist, I was impressed with the detail and thoroughness that went into the descriptions of the characters, Savannah’s surroundings, her meals, etc.
I enjoyed the peaceful feeling I had as I was reading What Witches Want and there were a few moments where even I, was wondering what it would be like to be a Wiccan Farey Witch :)
If you are interested in the Wiccan Faith, witches, fairies, spells and chants with a romantic love story, I recommend this book to you!

♦♦♦♦♦ (5 out of 10 Diamonds) – I liked most of the book

 
Link to the Author’s Blog:
http://laurastamps.blogspot.com/
Link to the Publisher’s Website:
http://www.trytium.com/