Showing posts with label You Want to Read. Show all posts

Title: The Beginning : Blood Hunter

Author: Robin Badillo

Publisher: Devine Destinies

Buy link: Buy The Beginning : Blood Hunter Here!

Rating: You Want To Read

Reviewed By: Wendy Mitchell

Blurb:

For thirty years, Raven Prince has lived just fine with no mate and no hassles. The carefree vampire, happy to be the odd-girl-out in a small, close-knit coven, lusts for one thing and one thing only-human blood. The more handsome the snack, the happier she is.

Thorne Abbott, on the other hand, only has a taste for the blood of the vampire that savagely murdered his father eleven years before. The determined human won't rest until that craving is satisfied, even if it means getting himself killed in the process.

A sexy game of pool in a small-town bar throws a wrench in both of their plans and ignites a flame so hot, neither could have extinguished even if they wanted to.

The hunter and the hunted battle with themselves and each other as passion, love and a quest for truth sends them on a deadly mission that's sure to either destroy them…or set them free.

Can lovers from different worlds manage to see past their differences, or are there good reasons why the two species should never unite?

Will it be friend or foe that goes bump in the night?

Review:

Thorne Abbott is a vampire hunter obsessed with finding and punishing the vampire that destroyed his family. With the help of his uncle and two cousins, Thorne is closer than ever to getting the vengence he so desperately needs to gain peace for himself. When he and his cousin Brett go into town to blow off some steam, Thorne sees the most beautiful woman he has ever laid eyes own.

Raven Prince is a daughter of a backsliding hell and brimstone preacher, and she is also a vampire. Going to the local pool hall for a quick snack, she is instantly drawn to Thorne. She knows this is no ordinary human, but she doesn't know just how much they are about to change each others lives.

This book kept me hopping. The twist and turns the characters take was sometimes maddening. The hero of the book, Thorne, was kind of an anti-hero in ways. He had severe issues that he hasn't dealt with, and was almost insecure in some aspects. He is only 26, so the accurate depiction of a young man just finding his way, was to me a lovely surprise. Sure we all like uber confident superheroes in our books, but this spin just made me love Thorne to pieces.

Raven has been waiting for a man to sweep her off her feet. That's why she hasn't taken a mate in all these years. Although Thorne does this, literally, Raven sees herself as the dominant in most of their dealings. I liked this aspect alot. In the scene where Raven demonstrates vampire sex *whew* that was waaay hot!!! Only towards the end does Raven ever question her beliefs, and it totally fits this character.

This is the first book in a new series for the author, and she has given herself some terrific secondaries to work with. Brett and Hayden, Thorne's vampire hunting cousins. Raven's coven brother Jacobe, and the coven leader Sylvia. Plus there is a HUGE surprise at the end the Ms. Badillo simply must follow up on. The Beginning certainly lived up to it's title, and left me wanting more.

Title: The Shadow Zone: Winning Madeleine

Author: Isabella Jordan

Publisher: Changeling Press

Buy Link: Buy The Shadow Zone: Winning Madeleine Here! Rating: You Want to Read

Reviewed By: Janelle

Blurb:

While tailing a Lycan soldier through the Shadow Zone, the dying world of the humans, the vampire Maddox finds himself falling for the frail, beautiful prostitute his subject visits. When Madeline is caught in the crossfire, Maddox takes her under his protection, and offers her a life with him as her exclusive client.

The Lycan, his plans foiled, wants revenge, putting everyone Maddox knows in danger. Maddox has only one recourse -- hunt the hunter, before he becomes the prey.

Maddox can deal with cold-blooded killers and the deep and seedy underworld of the Shadow Zone. But he has no clue how to win Madeline's heart. What will happen to him if she can't see past the monster to the man who wants her, body and soul?

Review:

This story is good, but nothing exceptional. The plot is well tread and the pace is smooth, but it takes no chances and nothing is a real surprise.

The characters are pretty stereotypical, but are used to their fullest extent so don't come off as stiff. The hero is sweet and the heroine is innocent and the bad guy is slightly off. The supporting cast is fairly bland, but they don't interfere.

The sexy is good and has plenty of spice. It also becomes an interesting point of interaction between the characters.

Overall, nothing special, but a good bedtime story.

Title: Inside Sanctuary

Author: Cyna Kade

Publisher: Ellora's cave

Buy Link: Buy Inside Sanctuary Here!

Rating: You Want to Read

Reviewed by: Gabrielle

Blurb:

Stephen has decided to return to Sanctuary before his libido rages out of control and somebody gets hurt. Then he sees Mary and they share a vision, which means she could be his mate. He's delighted. She's not. Mary just wants a ride to Sanctuary, not a ride on Stephen.

Once there, he is determined to find out what she's hiding. Why insist on visiting the most dominant sex enclave in the world if you're not ready to submit? Stephen pushes until Mary finally admits why she's denying her true nature-she is so powerful she burned out her last lover. She's fearful Stephen isn't strong enough to control her.

But Stephen was born for this…and for this woman. He's ready to show her just how far a truly dominant man can take her.

Review:

Stephen is ready to go back to Sanctuary. He can't fight his needs anymore. When he comes across a clan female demanding he take her to Sanctuary he finds that he may have just found his mate. Mary is hiding something and she wont let Stephen in, she can't risk it but she can't resist her attraction to him.

Once again we find ourselves in the world of Sanctuary. A world full of dominant men and willing females. Stephen is a strong man and willing to fight for his mates love. I loved that he not only was a very dominant man but he cares enough for Mary to show her his love. Mary is a woman who loves with all her heart but is scared of her one power. It was great to see the rest of the people at Sanctuary stand up and help Mary and Stephen. Showing that love can conquer fear.

Inside Sanctuary is a very intense read. Cyna Kade has developed a world with domineering men and submissive woman that some readers may be taken aback by the harshness of the sexual need and practices that are used in this series. I myself enjoyed this series and will be looking for more from this author in the future.

Title: What She Needs

Author: Cris Anson

Publisher: Ellora's Cave

Buy Link: Buy What She Needs Here!

Rating: You Want to Read

Reviewed by: Gabrielle

Blurb:

Older widow Delia Barnes is sporting a black eye when she greets fellow authors before an erotic romance convention, which she explains away by joking "I didn't say 'Yes Master' quick enough." Sitting at the bar, burned-out ad executive and former Dom Kurt Reinhardt overhears the remark-and interrupts to suggest maybe she needs "a new Master".

Urged by her friends to accept the younger man's invitation to learn some D/s basics-hey, an author needs to do her research, right?-Delia joins him to get first-hand experience at being submissive, starting with removing her panties in a corner booth. Later, she learns more than she bargained for when she spends a weekend at Kurt's home…with his eager business partner added to the mix.

But an innocent misstep brings Delia's world crashing down around her. Can she trust Kurt with her heart…and her life?

Review:

Romance writer Delia Barnes makes a casual off handed remark about having a master at a bar one night only to be corrected by Kurt Reinhardt. Could Kurt be the dominant man she needs to help her with her writing or could he be more?

This story was a good read about love and trust. I enjoyed seeing Delia reach deep inside her and find her courage. She is a feisty woman who stands on her own two feet but is willing to let her guard down to see where the attraction between her and Kurt leads. Kurt is a strong man who is nursing a broken heart. When he meets Delia we see him open his heart once again. Watching the two develop and iron out their relationship was a nice read. As the sparks fly and Delia gets to explore many different things the bond grows between them but a grave mistake may end the relationship before it is even begun. I loved the way Kurt proves to Delia that she can trust him once again. Kurt shows just how much love for her that he has making this a hot read.

What she Needs is a well-written book about finding love and trust when you least expect it. Keeping you entertained until the end this is a book that many will enjoy.

Title: The Parent's Guide to Facebook

Author: Kathryn Rose

Publisher: CreateSpace

Buy Link: Buy The Parent's Guide to Facebook Here!

Rating: You Want to Read

Reviewed By: Janelle

Blurb:

The Parent's Guide to Facebook is a step-by-step guide focusing on using Facebook as another window into your children's life, friends, attitudes and online actions. Facebook is the world's largest social network. To make sure people enjoy connecting with their friends and loved ones while protecting their privacy online, just follow this simple guide. Let the author walk you through the steps from the start of the sign up process all the way through setting up a group, uploading pictures, writing status updates, and do's and don'ts of privacy on Facebook.

Review:

I'll start with a confession: I'm not a parent. I was a Sophomore in college when Facebook first started to get big, and I've had a page since then. So I can see this issue from both sides.

I have to give this book credit for not giving into the fear mongering that inevitably surrounds sites like Facebook. It is easy to blame these site for all the ills of the world, while forgetting that those ills have been around long before even computers were invented. This book instead focuses on using Facebook as safely as possible, while acknowledging that nothing is perfect.

On the down side, there are a lot of places that boarder on paranoid; saying that such things as relationship status should be hidden to prevent bullying by other children. There are also places where the books seems to suggest a parent should change their child's page. This is a major violation of privacy, and is not going to make your child open up to you.

Title: The Parent's Guide to Facebook

Author: Kathryn Rose

Publisher: CreateSpace

Buy Link: Buy The Parent's Guide to Facebook Here!

Rating: You Want to Read

Reviewed By: Janelle

Blurb:

The Parent's Guide to Facebook is a step-by-step guide focusing on using Facebook as another window into your children's life, friends, attitudes and online actions. Facebook is the world's largest social network. To make sure people enjoy connecting with their friends and loved ones while protecting their privacy online, just follow this simple guide. Let the author walk you through the steps from the start of the sign up process all the way through setting up a group, uploading pictures, writing status updates, and do's and don'ts of privacy on Facebook.

Review:

I'll start with a confession: I'm not a parent. I was a Sophomore in college when Facebook first started to get big, and I've had a page since then. So I can see this issue from both sides.

I have to give this book credit for not giving into the fear mongering that inevitably surrounds sites like Facebook. It is easy to blame these site for all the ills of the world, while forgetting that those ills have been around long before even computers were invented. This book instead focuses on using Facebook as safely as possible, while acknowledging that nothing is perfect.

On the down side, there are a lot of places that boarder on paranoid; saying that such things as relationship status should be hidden to prevent bullying by other children. There are also places where the books seems to suggest a parent should change their child's page. This is a major violation of privacy, and is not going to make your child open up to you.

Technically, this book is dry. It is an instruction manual, after all, and unless you are interested in what it has to say, it will probably put you to sleep. Also, there are some rather obvious grammatical and syntax errors. There aren't many, but in a book like this they are quite jarring.

Overall, I have my doubts about the long term viability of this book. Technology changes at incredible speed, and in a year or two, this book will be obsolete.

Title: Shell Shocked

Authors: Angelia Sparrow and Naomi Brooks

Publisher: Pink Petal Books

Buy Link: Buy Shell Shocked Here!

Rating: You Want to Read

Reviewer: Nerine

Blurb:

Sean Dempsey came home from Iraq with artificial knees, scorched retinas and a lot of baggage. He supplements his disability checks with money made writing romance novels under a female pseudonym, ironic as he has grown very nervous around women since a certain suicide bomber. When he meets Gabriel Herne, legless phone psychic, the sparks startle him. It's everything he's written about and never believed.

Swept into a whirlwind romance, Sean has to learn about his newfound bisexuality and his lover's pagan faith at the same time. And when he has a religious experience of his own, he discovers everything changes in its time, just like the Wheel of the Year.

Review:

Now heavily dependent on his medication, Sean Dempsey is scarred both emotionally and physically when he returns from the war in Iraq. With extensive surgery to his legs behind him, he struggles to cope in NYC, his PSTD often making it difficult for him to go into public. Even sleep doesn't provide sanctuary, as he is plagued by terrible nightmares. Yet, incongruously, he gets by, writing romance novels under a nom de plume. Then he meets Gabriel Herne, a wheelchair-bound phone psychic, and the feelings of attraction are very much mutual.

Overall, this is a well-written, well-told story. While I felt there could have been more conflict (and I kept waiting for some massive try/fail cycle that never happened) I nevertheless found the authors' exploration of Sean and Gabriel's lives together very touching. I liked the realism. The characters are not super-rich. Hell, they don't even drive cars, and they work hard to get by. The fact that love isn't all wine and roses, is also a plus point here. The characters get pissed off with each other and they admit when they're wrong, they're ordinary folk just trying to get by without the false glitter of hyper-realism. Also, there are no miracle cures for Sean, no great epiphanies that shake his world other than the quiet realization of his love for Gabriel. Shell Shocked is a tale sensitively told by two ladies who deliver consistently good-quality prose.

Title: Born Again

Author: Joel Dodd

Publisher: Mundania Press

Buy Link: Buy Born Again Here!

Rating: You Want To Read

Reviewer: Nerine

Blurb:

Al's life has gone to the dogs. Memory blanks, nightmares, and a disturbing new appetite for small, furry animals. Not to mention his reclusive, nocturnally gothic frat brothers who never seem to attend lectures, and his deliciously-scented girlfriend and her pals.

Standing at the lamppost of the crossroads of his life, everything that is odd in Al's life comes together to unmuzzle his true, inner self and reveal who his true friends really are.

Review:

Al's got problems. He's not sleeping too well, he has heightened senses and he's been puking up bits of animal remains. At the insistence of one of his fellow students, he goes to see a psychiatrist who recommends him for a CAT scan, and that's when he starts discovering some very strange things about himself.

Born Again is a deliciously malicious short story that plays with the stock-standard university horrors we love to watch on late Friday evenings. Although I would have liked to have seen Al question his odd situation a bit more (it was abundantly clear to me, as a reader, what was going on) I enjoyed this tale very much. As a reader I would have liked to have experienced more of a sense of impending doom while Al tries to piece together his mysterious condition but overall Dodd is a strong storyteller who kept me engaged with the narrative.

Title : Gypsy Crystal

Author: Lorrie Unites-Struiff

Publisher: Eternal Press

Buy Link: Buy Gypsy Crystal Here!

Rating : You Want To Read

Reviewed By : Jodie Pierce

Blurb :

When a ritual killer starts terrorizing her town, FBI agent Matt Boulet is sent to lead the task force to catch the murderer. While Rita feels she has a connection with Agent Boulet, she senses he is holding back a deep dark secret about the killer. Her suspicions deepen when she learns another secret about her Roma family-one she finds impossible to swallow.

Review :

Gypsy girl, Rita Moldova is of Romanian descent. Her mother is old school, she reads tea leaves and palms. Rita has a secret gift. She wears an amulet that gives of signals of good and bad. It has allowed her in the past to see into the eyes of the dead people they recover. The new FBI Agent, Matt Boulet who's come into town from New Orleans has a secret gift too. He is searching for the same killer Rita's department has been looking for. The killer exsanguates all the blood from the victims, cuts a hole in their neck and dumps the bodies somewhere random. Rita is caught by the killer on a sting operation but when he samples her blood he calls her poison and dumps her out of his vehicle. Rita and Matt go to her mother for answers. Together, they find out that the killer is a long lost relative of Rita's and he is a vampire. Will they be able to stop Lucian before he can kill again? Who will lose their life in battling him? Will Matt and Rita not only come together at work but come together in the bedroom as well? What is Matt's secret?

The development of the characters in this story was great. The background on Rita was well developed and placed perfectly in the story. She was very likeable, strong yet innocent in a way. The lack of background for Matt made him more mysterious at first. He was the outsider. The mysterious knight in shining armor. The whole back story on Lucian was brilliant and well placed within the story. He was really so awful and you really got the sense of that from reading it. I really connected with the characters and when we lost one of them, I actually felt a brief sense of loss myself.

I found the story to be very interesting with a new twist on the old vampire story. It was written so well it was as if I was right there in the book with the characters. The chapters were short and kept you moving quickly through the book. I would definitely recommend this story to anyone who loves a little action, paranormal and suspense in their readings.

Title: Outside Sanctuary

Author: Cyna Kade

Publisher: Ellora's cave

Buy Link: Buy Outside Sanctuary Here!

Rating: You Want to Read

Reviewed by: Gabrielle

Blurb:

Stephen just needs a little time to himself. He's tired of sharing every emotion with everyone in Sanctuary. He longs for privacy so he leaves the clan enclave. When Stephen is attracted to a human woman who likes rough sex, he decides to ignore all the rules he's been taught.

Darla stands tied to a tree at an isolated campsite. She's always longed to explore her dark side with a strong, dominant man. Stephen is sexy as hell, but he's hard and controlling. She's starting to question her decision to meet him in this isolated spot. He might be more than she can handle.

Stephen knows it's dangerous, but really, this is something he does very well. What could be the harm in fulfilling Darla's BDSM fantasies? He just has to maintain control of his powerful sexuality-not go too far-and he can show her how a little pain can enhance her pleasure.

Review:

This story is book two in the Power and Pain series. Darla is a small town waitress who finds herself longing for rough sex and when Stephen shows up at her diner she thinks that she may have found just the man to satisfy her needs.

Outside Sanctuary is a fast paced and emotional read. Both Darla and Stephen are attracted to each other and what they can give to one another but is it enough? I loved seeing Darla enjoy herself and dare to move out of her comfort zone. Stephen is an honorable man that comes from another place and cares for Darla and her happiness. This was a very intense and hot read that has both Darla and Stephen taking a hard look at themselves and deciding where they want to go from there.

This book is well written and has characters full of emotion. It is a nice addition to this series and should be on your to be read list. I cannot wait to see what is in store for Stephen in the future and what new adventures he may have.