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Showing posts with label GrandCentral. Show all posts
Showing posts with label GrandCentral. Show all posts

18 December 2013

Reaver by Larissa Ione Release Day Excerpt + Giveaway


Hi, everyone. I am super excited because today is the release day for Reaver, the newest book in Larissa Ione's Lords of Deliverance series. Larissa Ione's books were the first paranormal romances I had ever read and they got me hooked on the genre. I am really excited about this one. Fans have been asking for Reaver's story for a while now and I can't wait to finally read it. 

To celebrate, Grand Central Publishing is having a great giveaway that you can enter below. I also have an excerpt to share with you that will hopefully get you excited about this series, too. Enjoy!


REAVER by Larissa Ione
December 17, 2013
Grand Central Publishing Mass Market; $8.00; 978-1-4555-2697-0

Reaver is an angel with a past, a record, and a less-than-heavenly attitude. Powerful enough to fight alongside the fiercest battle angels-and crazy enough to risk his wings on a one-way mission to hell-he's agreed to go where no angel has ever gone before . . . to steal the most seductive and dangerous prize of Satan himself.

Harvester is one of the Fallen, a once-heroic angel who sacrificed her wings to work as an undercover agent in hell. But now her cover has been blown, and she's doomed to an eternity of agonizing torture. Even if Reaver can snatch her away from Satan's lair, even if they can fight their way out of the underworld's darkest depths, there is one thing Harvester can never escape-her newfound thirst for an angel's blood. . .

EXERPT

“R-Reaver?”

Reaver held Harvester’s frail body tight against his as he navigated the final steps of a winding ledge that dropped them into a world of weird. “It’s me. It’s okay. We’re safe.”
Relatively safe, anyway. Relative meaning that they weren’t dead. Yet. He just hoped the same could be said for Tavin, Matt, and Calder. When he’d left them to sneak into Satan’s realm,they’d been engaged in a battle they’d initiated as a diversion. It had been a risky move, and Reaver could only pray they’d make it to the rendezvous point.

A hunter’s horn sounded in the distance and was answered by another, closer horn signal. Satan’s minions hadn’t gained ground, but they were spreading out. Damn. He scanned the landscape of thorny plants, hills of blackened earth and trees, and twisted, abandoned structures. Nothing moved. He looked down at Harvester, and as before when he first saw her hanging over a pit of acid, he felt sick to his stomach. He didn’t like Harvester even though he was grateful for the things she’d done, but she didn’t deserve this; her naked body too thin and mottled with bruises and ligature marks, her once silken black hair tangled and dull, and worst of all, missing her gorgeous green eyes.

Under ideal circumstances, an angel could heal from even the most heinous injuries within hours. But these were far from ideal circumstances, and Harvester’s source of power, her wings, had been severed. Without wings or medical assistance, it could take weeks, even months, for an angel’s body to fully heal.

“I can’t risk healing you more than I did,” he said. “My power isn’t reliable right now, and I could do more harm than good.”


“Reaver,” she croaked, as if he hadn’t spoken. “Why…how…”


“Shh.” He tucked her face into his chest, quieting her. “We’re going to meet up with some friends, and then I’ll answer all your questions.”


Reaver and the assassins had worked out a plan A and a plan B. Plan A had been shot to hell when iron gates had prevented Reaver from getting out of Satan’s realm to the south, where his companions would have been waiting. Now, with demons in pursuit, they were on their way to plan B. Hopefully Tav, Matt, and Calder had realized quickly that Reaver’s escape route had gone bad.


Inhaling the stench of rotten vegetation that permeated this section of Sheoul, he started away from the skeletons of some burned-out buildings and toward a mountain range as expansive as the Rockies. He moved swiftly, outrunning the sounds of pursuit and pausing once to blast a group of imps with a ball of lightning. The sphere struck the leader, and from there sent electrical strikes at each of the surrounding imps, frying them all in a handy eight-for-one.

Harvester slept in his arms, barely stirring when he stopped to listen for anyone following them. By the time they neared the plan B meeting site, Reaver was sure they’d lost the demons— temporarily. Reaver wasn’t naive enough to think they were off the hook. The demons chasing them were only the first wave, the security detail unlucky enough to be guarding the dungeon. Harvester was kept in. 

Once Satan got wind of this, if he hadn’t already, Reaver and Harvester were going to have legions of minions on their heels.

GIVEAWAY

REAVER – 1 winner will get our grand prize of a Kindle Fire and 4 winners will get a signed set of Larissa Ione’s Lords of Deliverance Series: Eternal Rider, Immortal Rider, Lethal Rider & Rogue Rider!



A former meteorologist and EMT, Air Force veteran Larissa Ione now gets her daily dose of excitement from vampires, werewolves, demons, and the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse. She lives in wintery Wisconsin with her U.S. Coast Guard husband, her teenage son, a rescue cat, and her hellhound, a King Shepherd named Hexe.

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06 November 2013

Short Story Review: Entwined by Kristen Callihan

Author: Kristen Callihan
Publication Date: November 5, 2013
Publisher: Forever
Genre: Adult Paranormal Historical Romance
Find It: GoodreadsAmazonB&N
Source: Publisher via NetGalley

Eamon Evernight has always lived in his older brother's shadow. While his brother is fair of hair and lithe in body, Eamon sparks fear with his fiery locks and massive frame-and rumors of a mysterious power. But when his brother has the good fortune to be betrothed to a beautiful stranger, it's Eamon's help-and quick wit and romantic heart--that he needs. Eamon agrees to write the noble lady...a generous offer that will forever leave him a changed man.

Lady Luella Jane Moran has no interest in an arranged marriage and tries valiantly to dissuade her betrothed from afar. Though her own letters plainly state her case, the words her husband-to-be writes her leave her aching for his touch. Will Lu give in to the desire the missives have kindled within her? Or will desire turn cold when she discovers their true author?

It’s no secret that I am a huge fan of Kristen Callihan’s Darkest London series. Though I am normally a bit wary of novellas, I jumped at the chance to read something new set in this dark and magical world. Entwined in an engaging and unexpected story of two people falling in love through words. As a person who still writes letters and loves getting mail, the idea of two falling in love through words before ever having met was one that really appealed to me.

When Eamon’s much favored older brother Aiden becomes betrothed, he urges Eamon to write to his bride-to-be in his stead. Eamon’s goal was to make Lu believe that marriage to his brother would not be so terrible and he does well - too well. Luella and Eamon fall in love over the course of four years and countless letters. Things get a little crazy when Lu shows up on their doorstep and believes she is in love with Aiden. But the man she meets is nothing like the man in her letters and she finds herself drawn to his secretive younger brother.

I had a lot of fun reading this story. Lu and Eamon are well developed characters and the storyline is full of unexpected twists. I loved reading the letters between Lu and Eamon. They are funny and playful and really help us get to know these characters. The idea falling in love through letters is a really romantic one, especially in an age where men and women often knew nothing about each other before marriage. It’s also refreshing to read a story where both characters are virgins. Their first sexual encounter is understandably awkward but also sweet.

Lu is a really strong heroine and I admired her. She loses everything but manages to survive with her spirit intact. I totally fell in love with Eamon. He is a little rough around the edges but has a big heart and is extremely sexy.. He is also a redhead, which is awesome. There should be more red headed men in literature.

Callihan manages to pack a surprising amount of emotional depth into this short story. Fans of the series will undoubtedly enjoy this brief sojourn into Darkest London. You don’t have to read the other books in the series to enjoy this one. It’s pretty far removed from the main storyline and I would have liked to have learned more about the connection between Eamon and Lu and the rest of the Darkest London world. Overall, I really enjoyed Entwined and think it’s a great addition to the Darkest London lineup. I cannot wait for Shadowdance coming out in December!


*I received this book free of charge from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This, in no way, affected my opinion or review of this book.





Visit the author online at www.kristencallihan.com, Facebook and follow her on Twitter @Kris10Callihan

Please note that this post may contain affiliate links. For more details, please see our full disclosure policy here

06 June 2013

The Devil's Pearl - Short Story Review


Publication date: 07 May 2013 by Forever Yours
ISBN 10/13: 1455548006 | 9781455548002
Goodreads | Amazon | B&N | Kobo | iTunes

Category: Adult Historical Romance
Keywords: Historical, romance, second chances, revenge
Format: Mass market paperback, eBook
Source: e-ARC received from Netgalley


Synopsis:

Sir Devlin Vaughn will never forget the sweet, sensual pleasures of his beloved “Jewel.” Charmingly naive in the ways of love, she had blossomed under his guidance to become the most skilled lover a man could ever desire. And desire her he did—especially after she disappeared, leaving him alone and longing for her touch. Now, Devlin will do anything to get her back. Even kidnap her…

Julia Beaumont will never forget the man who unlocked her deepest desires and made her crave things no decent woman should. Fearing she would never be more than his mistress, she left, vowing never to see him again—until one reckless night, when a stranger in black appears from the shadows and sweeps her away to his bedroom chamber. Now, she will be his courtesan, his captive, his slave. Can she free herself from Devlin’s thrall, or will their passion be her ultimate undoing?

Review:

The Devil's Pearl is a prequel novella in the new house of Trent series by historical romance writer Jennifer Haymore. While I enjoy Haymore's writing style, this novella didn't do much for me. Neither of the main characters were particularly compelling and the kidnapping element pushed the romance into creepy and not sexy.

Devlin Vaughn is furious for Julie Beaumont. The two start a passionate affair which is cut off when Julie suddenly leaves Devlin in a very public and humiliating manner. A year has passed but Devlin hasn't forgotten Julia and he still wants his revenge. When he finds that she has returned to London, he decides to kidnap her and in the hopes of rekindling the physical passion that they once shared without the emotional attachment.

I feel like this story could have been called "Poor Communication" because that's really the root of Dev and Julia's problems. Both of them failed to communicate their feelings and fears during their brief affair, leading to pain, embarrassment and public ruination. Now I know misunderstandings are quite common in romances and that they are great catalysts for drama and emotion. However, it just didn't seem very believable to me in this case.

I blame Devlin more than Julia for their initial demise though. He was older and much more experienced. We don't learn too much about their initial romance but it sounds like he pursued Julia (not unwillingly) then met with her secretly once a week to continue their affair. He never told her he loved her or talked about the future. His excuse is that he assumed that she knew his feelings were. This seems a little naive on his part. I just can't believe that he wouldn't understand that he was treating Julia like a mistress and not someone he wanted to spend the rest of his life with. I don't really blame Julia for leaving while she could. Sure, she could have handled it better but Dev didn't give her much hope to begin with.

I also did not approve of Devlin's method of revenge on Julia. Kidnapping's not cool, even if you love the person. He fully planned on locking her in a room (which he actually did for a bit) and forcing her to become his courtesan. Julia didn't seem very upset about this, which also bothered me.

There were a few really tender moments between Dev and Julia and I am glad that they sorted everything out in the end. However, the elements of this story never really came together for me and I finished the story feeling pretty ambivalent about the whole thing. There is quite a long excerpt for the first full length book in the series, The Duchess Hunt, at the end of The Devil's Pear which seemed pretty interesting. I still want to give Haymore a chance but I've only read her novellas thus far. I think a full length novel will showcase her talents better.

*I received this book free of charge from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This, in no way, affected my opinion or review of this book.
 


Visit the author online at www.jenniferhaymore.com and follow her on Twitter @jenniferhaymore and Facebook.


Please note that this post contains affiliate links. For more details, please see our full disclosure policy here

26 February 2013

Lord Of Darkness - Review


Publication date: 26 Feb 2013 by Grand Central Publishing
ISBN 10/13: 1455508306 | 9781455508303
Goodreads | Amazon | B&N | Book Depository | Indiebound

Category: Adult Historical Romance
Keywords: Historical, romance, second chances, revenge
Format: Mass market paperback, eBook
Source: e-ARC received from Netgalley


Synopsis:

When Strangers In The Night

He lives in the shadows. As the mysterious masked avenger known as the Ghost of St. Giles, Godric St. John's only goal is to protect the innocent of London. Until the night he confronts a fearless young lady pointing a pistol at his head—and realizes she is his wife.

Become Lovers...

Lady Margaret Reading has vowed to kill the Ghost of St. Giles—the man who murdered her one true love. Returning to London, and to the man she hasn't seen since their wedding day, Margaret does not recognize the man behind the mask. Fierce, commanding, and dangerous, the notorious Ghost of St. Giles is everything she feared he would be—and so much more.

Desire Is The Ultimate Danger

When passion flares, these two intimate strangers can't keep from revealing more of themselves than they had ever planned. But when Margaret learns the truth—that the Ghost is her husband—the game is up and the players must surrender...to the temptation that could destroy them both.

Review:

I am pretty new to the Maiden Lane series and became a fan of Elizabeth Hoyt after reading Thief of Shadows last year. Full of mystery, adventure, and passionate romance, this has quickly become one of my favorite historical romance series. As such, I was very excited to receive an e-galley of the newest book Lord of Darkness.

Fans will recognize Megs and Godric from Thief of Shadows, where Meg's secret lover was killed - supposedly by the Ghost of St. Giles. In the wake of that tragedy, Godric marries Megs to save her from scandal. Megs has remained in the country for the past couple of years but now returns to London with two goals in mind. One, she must seduce her husband and get with child and second, she must get vengeance for her lover's death.

While I enjoyed Lord of Darkness, it didn't grab me like the other books in the series. Megs and Godric were both admirable, if somewhat stubborn characters. Both have felt love before and have felt its terrible loss. And both are determined never to betray that love by feeling it again with each other. I wanted to shake both of them at times because they kept pushing each other away. I think Godric came around quicker than Megs though and I was somewhat annoyed at her for waiting until the last possible moment to tell her she loved him.

Once they started coming around though, I really enjoyed their romance. Hoyt definitely knows how to write a steamy love scene and Megs and Godric are quite a passionate pair once they let down their guard. I also liked that this wasn't a conventional romance. It was hard watching Godric and Megs struggle with the  guilt over their new feelings. This book is about second chances and embracing life. I think Godric's wife and Megs's lover would have been happy that they found love again.

Though this wasn't my favorite Maiden Lane book, Lord of Darkness is a solid entry in the series and is an engaging and entertaining read. I enjoyed getting to know Megs and Godric and was glad that these two found their happy ending. The book can be read as a standalone though you'll probably enjoy it a bit more if you have some back story on the series. Or you can be like me and start in the middle and then go back and read everything else (because you'll want to). Lord of Darkness also includes a brief excerpt from Duke of Midnight, the next book in the Maiden Lane series. It stars Artemis Greaves and the Duke of Wakefield and sounds fantastic. I am already looking forward to it. :)

*I received this book free of charge from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This, in no way, affected my opinion or review of this book.
 


Visit the author online at www.elizabethhoyt.com and follow her on Twitter @ElizabethHoyt


Please note that this post contains affiliate links to Amazon and The Book Depository. For more details, please see our full disclosure policy here

21 February 2013

Winterblaze - Advance Review


Winterblaze (Darkest London #3) 
by Kristen Callihan
Publication date: 26 Feb 2013 by Grand Central Publishing
ISBN 10/13: 1455520799 | 9781455520794
Goodreads | Amazon | B&N | Book Depository | Indiebound

Category: Adult Paranormal Historical Romance
Keywords: Paranormal, romance, gothic, marriage, historical
Format: Mass market paperback, eBook
Source: e-ARC received from Netgalley


Link to synopsis

*This review may contain spoilers for previous books in the series.*

Review:

Kristen Callihan has quickly become one of my favorite romance authors. With compelling characters, intricate plots, passionate romance, and the backdrop of a London full of mystery and dangerous creatures, each book in her Darkest London series only seems to get better.  Winterblaze is no exception and Win and Poppy are my favorite couple yet.

Winterblaze is the story of Poppy, the eldest Ellis sister, and her husband Winston, who have been married for fourteen years. At the end of the last book, Win was brutally attacked by a werewolf and discovers that Poppy is Mother, a paranormal and also the head of a clandestine organization dedicated to keeping supernatural creatures a secret from humans. Feeling betrayed and confused, Win has leaves Poppy to sort out his feelings. While Win is on holiday in Paris, a new threat arises and Poppy must find Win and defeat this threat before it destroys them both.

My first impressions of Win and Poppy from the previous books were not necessarily positive. Poppy always seemed a bit stern and humorless to me while Win came off as a serious, straight-laced police detective. But I was so wrong about the both of them. In Winterblaze, we really get to see their true personalities and there is much more to them than I thought. Poppy is definitely still an overprotective older sister but it’s born out of a deep love for her family. Though she doesn’t always make the right decisions concerning them, she does what she believes is in their best interests. She is also a fighter and extremely intelligent. Win is also extremely smart and not as proper as he seems. He has a love of danger and a dark side to him that we haven’t seen before.

While I loved these two individually, they are even better as a couple. Winterblaze is a different type or romance novel because it’s about two people who have already been married for fourteen years. Win and Poppy have grown apart and this book is also rediscovering each other and falling in love again. Each of them has been hiding something from the other and, as they slowly learn to trust each other again, their bond grows even deeper. I loved that, to the outside world, they are seen a certain way but with each other, they could be their true selves. Only Win is allowed to see Poppy’s soft, sensual side and is privy to her most vulnerable moments. And only with Poppy can Win divulge his darkest secrets and let out his more playful side. They don’t stifle each other and it’s together that they are at their best.

But their journey isn’t an easy one. There is a lot of anger at first and they both know how to hurt each other. They are two people deeply in love who have grown apart and it’s heartbreaking at times.

And if you think being a married couple would be boring in the bedroom, think again.  This may be Kristen Callihan’s hottest book yet! Win and Poppy are estranged at the beginning of the book and the sexual tension between the two is intense. I was dying for them to get together and when they finally do – wow. I never thought that calling someone “wife” would be sexy but Win makes it sound deliciously sweet and debauched at the same time. Be prepared to swoon.

This is definitely my favorite book of the series so far. Poppy and Win are fantastic characters and I could not help falling in love with them.  I can’t think of a better matched pair. This may be Callihan’s most personal and emotional story yet. If you enjoyed the previous books in the series, I think you’ll love this one. There’s also a small teaser for Jack and Mary’s book included. These two have been circling each other for a while now and I can’t wait to read their story!

*I received this book free of charge from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This, in no way, affected my opinion or review of this book.
 


Visit the author online at kristencallihan.com , follow her on Twitter @Kris10Callihan , or on Facebook 


Please note that this post contains affiliate links to Amazon and The Book Depository. For more details, please see our full disclosure policy here

12 December 2012

Moonglow - Review


Moonglow (Darkest London #2) by Kristen Callihan
Publication date: 31 July 2012 by Forever
ISBN 10/13: 1455508586 | 9781455508587
Goodreads | Amazon | B&N | Book Depository

Category: Adult Historical Romance/Paranormal Supsense
Keywords: Paranormal, romance, suspense, gothic, London, weres
Format: Mass market paperback, eBook Source: e-ARC received from Netgalley


Synopsis:

Once the seeds of desire are sown . . .

Finally free of her suffocating marriage, widow Daisy Ellis Craigmore is ready to embrace the pleasures of life that have long been denied her. Yet her new-found freedom is short lived. A string of unexplained murders has brought danger to Daisy's door, forcing her to turn to the most unlikely of saviors . . .

Their growing passion knows no bounds . . .

Ian Ranulf, the Marquis of Northrup, has spent lifetimes hiding his primal nature from London society. But now a vicious killer threatens to expose his secrets. Ian must step out of the shadows and protect the beautiful, fearless Daisy, who awakens in him desires he thought long dead. As their quest to unmask the villain draws them closer together, Daisy has no choice but to reveal her own startling secret, and Ian must face the undeniable truth: Losing his heart to Daisy may be the only way to save his soul.

*This review may contain spoilers for previous books in the series.*

Review:

I am a huge fan of Kristen Callihan's Firelight and was a little worried that the second book in the series would not live up to my expectations. Happily, Moonlight is just as good as Firelight, if not slightly better. Moonglow has the same dark, moody atmosphere and the same great mix of historical and paranormal that I fell in love with in Firelight. While I love the world of Darkest London, it was Daisy and Ian who stole my heart in this story.

The last time we saw Ian Ranulf, he was doing his best to keep Archer and Miranda apart. His path crosses with Daisy’s when he saves her from a vicious Lycan attack. And wow – the chemistry between the two of them is immediate and intense. There’s nothing I love more than a relationship that starts off with antagonism and it’s fun to watch Daisy and Ian trade verbal barbs while fighting their attraction to each other.

Daisy is a very strong and vivacious character. I liked that she was very different than Miranda, more outspoken and earthy, but was also vulnerable. Daisy had a deep core of loneliness that I think Ian understood. And Ian. Oh Ian. If you like tortured heroes then you will love Ian. My heart broke for him and the tragic past that still haunts him. He, too, knows what it is like to feel alone in the world. Both of them are damaged and imperfect but they open their hearts to each other and learn to love and trust again.

With Moonglow, Callihan continues to expand upon the Darkest London world, taking us deeper into the mysteries and secrets it holds. I enjoyed learning more about the Lycan clans and the appearances of the GIMs is a new and exciting twist. Callihan continues to impress with her world building and knack for writing passionate, compelling relationships. The only thing I am sad about now is that book 3, Winterblaze, doesn’t come out until next year. I have a feeling that Poppy and Win’s story is going to be fantastic and I can’t wait!

*I received this book free of charge from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This, in no way, affected my opinion or review of this book.
 


Visit the author online at kristencallihan.com, follow her on Twitter @Kris10Callihan, or on Facebook

27 November 2012

Rogue Rider - Review


Publication date: 20 November 2012 by Grand Central Publishing
ISBN 10/13: 0749955570 | 9780749955571
Goodreads | Amazon | B&N | Book Depository | Indiebound

Category: Adult Paranormal Romance
Keywords: Paranormal, romance, amnesia, siblings, horsemen, redemption
Format: Mass market paperback, eBook
Source: e-ARC received from Netgalley


*This review may contain spoilers for previous books in the series.*

Review:

Rogue Rider is the fourth and highly anticipated story of Reseph, Horseman of the Apocalypse, aka Pestilence, the horseman who went band and almost destroyed the world. Rogue Rider picks up soon after the events of Lethal Rider. Reseph wakes up naked in the snow with no memory of who his is or how he got there. Jillian is out preparing for a storm when she finds him. Living out in the middle of nowhere while recovering from a demon attack, Jillian is wary of Reseph but decides to take him in. While trying to figure out Reseph’s past, they start to fall for each other. But when a string of violent murders occur in the area, Reseph starts to suspect that he may be the one putting Jillian in danger.

The first half of the book focuses on Jillian and Reseph’s love story. I really liked Jillian. She’s a survivor. She made it through a vicious demon attack and, though she is still recovering, she is capable and knows how to take care of herself. And I liked that, even though Reseph wanted to take care of her in some instances, he also knew that she was strong and didn’t treat her like a damsel in distress. Reaver put them together so that they could help heal each other and I think they did. With Jillian, Reseph learned to be himself without all of the pressures of being a Horseman and without the knowledge of what Pestilence had done. And in Reseph, Jillian found a partner who admired her strength but who would also support her.

Of course things don’t just go right to happily ever after. After learning that their brother is alive and could possibly become Pestilence again, The Riders come for him, triggering the return of his memories. With the knowledge of the horror he caused as Pestilence, Reseph goes a bit batty with guilt and remorse. I think Ione does a good job showing how bad Reseph feels about what Pestilence did. He doesn’t expect anyone to forgive him – and they don’t, at least not right away. Ione really makes Reseph work for his redemption.

So why didn’t I love this book? Though all of the right elements were there – hot romance, characters I like, and action packed drama, I still felt there was something missing. The story was predictable and there were no big surprises. Even Reseph’s “fight” with Pestilence was anti-climactic. And my favorite part of the story, Jillian and Reseph’s romance, got a little lost in the second half of the book.

While I enjoyed this book and thought it was a good read, it wasn’t my favorite of the series. I do enjoy Ione’s writing though and it’s always fun to jump back into this world. I was happy to see some of my favorite characters again. And wow – what is going on with Reaver and Harvester? I am dying to know! I am so glad that the next book will focus on them.

*I received this book free of charge from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This, in no way, affected my opinion or review of this book.
 


Visit the author online at www.larissaione.com and follow her on Twitter @LarissaIone

30 June 2012

Lethal Rider - Review


Publication date: 22 May 2012 by Grand Central Publishing
ISBN 10/13: 0446574503 | 9780446574501
Goodreads | Amazon | B&N | Book Depository

Category: Adult Paranormal Romance
Keywords: Paranormal, romance, apocalypse, pregnancy, siblings, horsemen
Format: Mass market paperback, eBook
Source: e-ARC received from Netgalley


Synopsis:

Thanatos, the most deadly Horseman of the Apocalypse, has endured thousands of years of celibacy to prevent the end of days. But just one night with the wickedly sexy Aegis Guardian, ReganCooper, shatters centuries of resolve. Yet their passion comes with a price. And Thanatos must face a truth more terrifying than an apocalypse-he's about to become a father.

Demon-slayer Regan Cooper never imagined herself the maternal type, but with the fate of the world hanging in the balance she had no choice but to seduce Thanatos and bear his child. Now, as the final battle draws closer and his rage at being betrayed is overshadowed by an undeniable passion for the mother of his child, Thanatos has a life-shattering realization: To save the world, he must sacrifice the only thing he's ever wanted-a family.

*This review may contain spoilers for previous books in the series.*

Review:

Larissa Ione is back with the third book in her Lords of Deliverance series. While I am a huge fan of Larissa’s, I didn’t love Immortal Rider, the previous book in the series. I had my doubts as to whether or not Lethal Rider would get it back on track for me and I am happy to say that it did not disappoint.

Lethal Rider picks up about 8 months after the events of Immortal Rider. Than’s been kept in a state of mental consciousness but physical immobility by his siblings as they await the birth of his son (of which he has not knowledge of). Baby mama Regan is hiding out in Aegis headquarters, waiting to give birth, while trying to deal with her feelings of guilt over her “seduction” of Than and the resulting pregnancy. When Than breaks out and finds Regan, she has some heavy explaining to do. Pestilence is still doing his evil best to bring about the Apocalypse and the body count rises.

The events of the last couple of books really come to a culmination in Lethal Rider. Pestilence, nice guy turned douchebag extraordinaire, soars to new heights of dickdom in this one. It’s clear that Ione isn’t afraid of killing characters and I was surprised by how bloody this one was. There are appearances by the usual Demonica crew as well as Reaver and Harvester. I am not really sure what’s going on between those two but I hear a rumor that Reaver might be getting his own book and I hope it’s true. There is plenty of action to go with the romance in this book and, unlike Immortal Rider, the other plotlines in the book did not overwhelm the romance and I felt like there was a good balance between the two.

Speaking of romance, I loved Regan and Thanatos together! I wasn’t sure how Ione was going to make the relationship work given how things ended in the last book. But she tackles it head on, showing us the guilt that Regan feels about happened and her struggle to come to terms with it. I really felt that she explained and handled it in a way that, while not necessarily making it right, does make it more understandable and makes me believe that Than and Regan could move past this bad beginning into a new future together.

Than just might be my favorite Horseman. Yes, he’s capable of mass destruction but he is kind and protective and extremely loyal. Believing all his life that having sex will break his seal, he’s never been able to have a real relationship and has been pretty isolated except for his family. When Regan comes into his life, he has a chance for a family he’s always wanted and he’s not letting Regan and his son go. His bouts of rage were tempered with really tender moments and I just wanted to give him a big hug.

I ended up liking Regan a lot more than I thought I was going to. After Immortal Rider she wasn’t my favorite person. But she shows a lot of remorse for what she did to Than and she won me over. She’s tough as nails and pretty badass for someone who is almost nine months pregnant. She and Than have crazy chemistry and the sex is super hot! I never thought I would say that about pregnancy sex but Larissa Ione can make almost anything sexy.

Yay for Lethal Rider! This is definitely my favorite book of the series so far. Lots of action, demon bad guys, demon good guys, crazy angels, and super sexy times. Well paced and easy to follow, the storyline nicely wrapped up a lot of loose ends while setting up Reseph’s story. And I have no idea what’s going to happen in Reseph’s book. All I know is that I want to read it NOW. Fans of this series will not be disappointed. If you haven’t read this series yet, what are you waiting for? Get on it!

*I received this book free of charge from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This, in no way, affected my opinion or review of this book.
 


Visit the author online at www.larissaione.com and follow her on Twitter @LarissaIone

16 March 2012

Simply Irresistible - Review


Publication date: 01 October 2010 by Grand Central Publishing
ISBN 10/13: 044657161X | 9780446571616
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Category: Adult Contemporary Romance
Keywords: Romance, contemporary, realistic, family, sisters, small town
Format: Mass market paperback, eBook


From Goodreads:

Maddie Moore's whole life needs a makeover.

In one fell swoop, Maddie loses her boyfriend (her decision) and her job (so not her decision). But rather than drowning her sorrows in bags of potato chips, Maddie leaves L.A. to claim the inheritance left by her free-spirited mother-a ramshackle inn nestled in the little coastal town of Lucky Harbor, Washington.

Starting over won't be easy. Yet Maddie sees the potential for a new home and a new career-if only she can convince her two half-sisters to join her in the adventure. But convincing Tara and Chloe will be difficult because the inn needs a big makeover too.

The contractor Maddie hires is a tall, dark-haired hottie whose eyes-and mouth-are making it hard for her to remember that she's sworn off men. Even harder will be Maddie's struggles to overcome the past, though she's about to discover that there's no better place to call home than Lucky Harbor.

Thuy's Review:

Simply Irresistible is the first book in the Lucky Harbor series by Jill Shalvis. A sweet, sigh worthy romance, Simply Irresistible will have you wanting to move to a small harbor town to find your very own Jax Cullen. The book begins when three very different and somewhat estranged sisters meet in Lucky Harbor after their free spirited mother’s death. A hippie who had three children with different men, Phoebe Treager wasn’t the most present of mothers. Maddie is The Mouse, the soft spoken middle daughter who plays peacekeeper between her sisters. Maddie’s recently fired, homeless, and is trying to get over an abusive relationship. To her, Lucky Harbor promises to be a new start, a place to find herself. She finds more than she bargains for when she meets the super sexy Jax Cullen at the local bar.

Simply Irresistible is a romance that will have you feeling happy, giddy, and breathless all in one go. I may have had a stupid smile on my face after finishing (I was alone so I have no proof). While I enjoyed the entire cast of quirky characters, I was especially drawn to the main couple of Maddie and Jax. Maddie is refreshingly realistic and relateable. She’s not perfect by a long shot and her trust issues frustrated me at times, but she wasn’t going to let her past drag her down. I admired her tenacity in trying to keep her family together and she was always striving to be a better person. Flawed but also sweet, stubborn, and loving, Maddie is a character I was rooting for right from the start.

And Jax. Oh Jax. Who can blame Maddie for falling for him? Sexy and confident, Jax knows what he wants and goes after it. Thoughtful and sweet, he helps Maddie believe in herself and allows himself to be healed by her as well. And I agree with Maddie when she declares that tool belts are sexy. If only more men knew how to use them. Sigh.

I am definitely a fan of this series and Ms. Shalvis and can’t wait to pick up the next book and find out what happens to Maddie’s sisters. If you like fun, feel good romances, don’t hesitate to pick up the Lucky Harbor series.

I received this book free of charge from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This, in no way, affected my opinion or review of this book.


Visit the author online at http://jillshalvis.com, Twitter @JillShalvis, and Facebook

16 February 2012

Firelight - Review


Firelight (Darkest London #1) by Kristen Callihan
Publication date: 31 January 2012 by Grand Central Publishing
ISBN 10/13: 1455508594 | 9781455508594
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Category: Adult Historical Romance/Paranormal Supsense
Keywords: Paranormal, romance, suspense, gothic, London, fire
Format: Mass market paperback, eBook
Source: e-ARC received from Netgalley


From goodreads:

London, 1881
Once the flames are ignited . . . 
Miranda Ellis is a woman tormented. Plagued since birth by a strange and powerful gift, she has spent her entire life struggling to control her exceptional abilities. Yet one innocent but irreversible mistake has left her family's fortune decimated and forced her to wed London's most nefarious nobleman.

They will burn for eternity . . . 
Lord Benjamin Archer is no ordinary man. Doomed to hide his disfigured face behind masks, Archer knows it's selfish to take Miranda as his bride. Yet he can't help being drawn to the flame-haired beauty whose touch sparks a passion he hasn't felt in a lifetime. When Archer is accused of a series of gruesome murders, he gives in to the beastly nature he has fought so hard to hide from the world. But the curse that haunts him cannot be denied. Now, to save his soul, Miranda will enter a world of dark magic and darker intrigue. For only she can see the man hiding behind the mask.

Thuy's Review:

Firelight is the thrilling and passionate debut novel from Kristen Callihan. The first book in her Darkest London series, Firelight is what would happen if a historical romance and paranormal mystery got together and had a book baby. An exciting, romantic, sensual and captivating (so many adjectives!) story that you won’t want to put down.

Set in Gothic London in the 1800s, Callihan does a great job of creating an atmospheric and mysterious setting for her story. Born with a gift of fire, Miranda has hidden her true self her entire life, afraid of what might happen if her secret is revealed or the devastation that could occur if she ever lost control of her power. Archer comes across Miranda in an alley one dark evening and witnesses her boldness in the face of danger. Taken by her beauty and strength, he vows to come back for her. When her returns to London years later, Archer makes Miranda’s father an offer he cannot refuse and she becomes his wife.

I fell in love with Archer and Miranda! They are both fantastically well drawn and complex characters. Both cursed in their own ways, they are forced to hide their true selves from society. However, they each find a counterpoint in the other, a person who understands them and accepts them for who they are. With Archer, Miranda’s power becomes her strength and she is able to see past Archer’s curse to the man inside.

Arch is perfect as the devilishly mysterious Duke. A cross between the perfect English gentleman and the marauding bandit, he’s charming but also moody and arrogant. There’s also an inherent sadness to him, brought on by years of isolation. I loved the vulnerable moments he had with Miranda. At first, Archer thinks he’ll be able to marry but also keep his wife at arm’s length. But Miranda is no wilting wallflower and won’t stand for a husband who keeps too many secrets. I loved how fearless and brave Miranda was. Even without her power, she is formidable fighter. With it, she’s a force of nature. Her red hair matches her fiery personality and she is also extremely loyal and clever.

The chemistry between Archer and Miranda was red hot! Their heated arguments and playful exchanges had me blushing and wanting more. But their connection is more than just a physical attraction and I loved watching them get to know each other and start to trust each other with their secrets. The weakest part of the book for me was the murder mystery/serial killer. I actually figured out who the killer was pretty early on, but I did like how everything ends up coming full circle.

It’s hard to categorize this book. Historical romance, suspense, fantasy, mystery - it’s all of those things and more. A truly original and surprising story, I fell in love with this world and the characters in it. This is one of my favorite reads so far this year. I am dying to read Book 2, Moonglow, which comes out in August. To tide myself over, I bought the short prequel to Firelight, Ember, available as an ebook. Do yourself a favor and pick yourself up a copy of Firelight NOW. You won’t be sorry. :)

P.S. - Keep an eye out for a giveaway of this book soon. We love it and want to share it with our readers. :)

Also available


I received this book free of charge from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This, in no way, affected my opinion or review of this book.



Visit the author online at kristencallihan.com, follow her on Twitter @Kris10Callihan, or on Facebook

24 January 2012

Immortal Rider - Review


Publication date: 01 December 2011 by Grand Central Publishing
ISBN 10/13: 0446574473 | 9780446574471
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Category: Adult Paranormal Romance
Keywords: Paranormal, romance, underworld, apocalypse, Four Horsemen
Format: Mass market paperback, eBook (e-ARC received from Netgalley)



Thuy's synopsis:

Immortal Rider is the story of Limos, one of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse. Sister to the other three Horsemen, Limos (aka Famine) has a pretty carefree existence living on a tropical Hawaiian island when she’s not trying to stop her evil brother Pestilence from destroying the world and protecting her Seal from breaking and causing the Apocalypse. And oh yeah - she’s also betrothed to Satan himself and he’s tired of waiting.

Arik’s a soldier in the R-XR, a paranormal military unit that works with The Aegis and it helping to prevent the Apocalypse. Unfortunately Arik doesn’t know that Limos is engaged when he kisses her and he’s dragged to Hell for his trouble. While Satan’s minions invent new and painful ways to torture Arik, Limos and her brothers try to find him down before Limos’ Seal breaks. But the trouble doesn’t end once Arik escapes. An evil plot to break the Seals and bring Hell on earth escalates and Arik and Limos find themselves in the middle of it.

Thuy's Review:

This was a hard review to write. I was so excited to get my hot little hands on this. I’ve been waiting for Arik’s story for awhile. He first showed up in Passion Unleashed as Runa’s overprotective and sometimes jerk brother. There was always something about Arik that intrigued me, even though he wasn’t always the most appealing character. I just knew there was more to him than what we were seeing. Unfortunately this book fell somewhat short of my expectations.

The book starts off strong with Arik making a move on Limos and getting pulled into Hell. While there, he is tortured beyond sanity but manages to hold it together and doesn’t betray Limos. I was touched by his show of loyalty in the face of incredible pain for a woman who barely knew. But that’s the type of guy Arik is - extremely loyal and stubborn, often thinking of others before himself. Limos, meanwhile is looking for him. As she does, we learn a lot more about her past and why she is the way she is. As the bride of Satan, she hasn’t had a lot of time for fun in her life and therefore, tries to live life to the fullest. She’s fiercely protective of her family and takes that protectiveness too far sometimes. She’s also a pretty bad ass fighter, which I love. While it doesn’t seem like the serious, solid Arik and the fun loving, party throwing Limos would make a good match, but they are. They both come from troubled backgrounds and have a lot of guilt that they’re trying to get over.

Unfortunately, I felt that it lost steam somewhere in the middle and Limos and Arik’s story became overshadowed by all of the subplots going on - from the Reaver/Harvester story to the Than/Regan storyline (which we’ll get into more in a bit) . Arik and Limos also spend quite a lot of time apart in this book. I don’t blame Arik too much as he was being tortured in hell, but because of the physical distance, I felt that Arik and Limos didn’t get enough time together to develop their relationship. I mean, they don’t even get a real love scene until the very end of the book and the scene that is supposed to be their official “first time” is somewhat heart breaking. Plus, where the heck is Satan? I thought for sure he’d show up at some point to claim Limos or at least try to kill someone, but it never happens.

There’s a lot of emphasis put on the Than/Regan relationship in this one as a setup to the next book. I have mixed feelings about this storyline. On the one hand, I feel that Regan and Than have great chemistry and the sort of love/hate relationship that I love. On the other hand, I find the reason that Regan was sent there to be somewhat distasteful and it’s hard to see how their relationship will work.

I did enjoy all of the cameos by the Sem brothers and the Demonica crew. Cara’s hellhound Hal even makes an appearance. Even though this wasn’t my favorite book, I still enjoyed it. I am definitely invested in the world and characters that Larissa Ione has created and am anxiously awaiting the next installment.

I received this book free of charge from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This, in no way, affected my opinion or review of this book.


Visit the author online at www.larissaione.com and follow her on Twitter @LarissaIone