Review: Fury of Desire by Coreene Callahan

Title: Fury of Desire (Dragon Fury Series #4)

Author: Coreene Callhan
Publication Date: October 15, 2013
Publisher: Montlake Romance
Genre: Adult Paranormal Romance
Find It: Goodreads, Amazon, B&N
Source: Purchased

No warrior of the Nightfury pack is more complicated or damaged than Wick.

Scarred from a childhood of slavery and torture, Wick cannot bear the touch of another person. But all bets are off when he meets J.J. Solares. When she is unjustly imprisoned, Wick agrees to help rescue and keep her from harm. But Wick lives a life of self-imposed isolation and venturing into the world to seek justice for J.J. may be more than he can bear.

Brutalized by the harsh reality of prison, J.J thinks she is hallucinating when a majestic dark-haired god sweeps in to save her—and Wick is shaken to his core by the attraction he feels for J.J. But neither is out of harm's way yet. When they find themselves at the center of a Dragonkind war, they are forced to make the ultimate choice—surrender to their fears or accept each other’s love.

FURY OF DESIRE is the fourth book in the Dragon Fury series by Coreene Callahan. It is a story of dragon shifters who live in packs.  The Nightfuries (the good guys) are at war with the Razorbacks (the bad guys).  Each book to date has focused on one of the guys in the pack and the female that he ends up falling in love with and mating.  In addition to the relationship between the hero and heroine, there is a continuing conflict arc that has been going on since the first book.  I do not way to say to much in case someone still hasn't read the earlier books.

So...I have mixed feelings about this book.

What I loved about the book:

Readers are introduced to the hero, Wick in the first book (Fury of Fire) and we learn that he does not typically communicate in more than a few word sentences, and consistently he is described as one scary dude.  He also has a very tight relationship with Venom (another member of the Nightfuries).  I have always been intrigued by Wick and wanted to learn more, especially since he seems to have a ton of secrets.  In the third book (Fury of Seduction), we are introduced to the heroine, Jamison Jordan Solares or J.J.  I was not surprised to see them paired together in this book and for me the relationship made sense, even if it was truly insta-love.  Additionally, I liked seeing the other guys from the previous books, and their mates.

What I wasn't so happy about:

In Fury of Seduction (book 3), I noticed a change in Callahan's writing.  Despite her books having approximately 400+ pages, there seemed to be an increasing dependence on descriptive vernacular that went on and on.  A similar style was used in the first two books but not to the same lengthy extent. Unfortunately, this made me want to skim through parts of nearly every paragraph in both Fury of Seduction and Fury of Desire.  It also resulted in Callahan not really developing her story as effectively as she could.  The side story with Ivar and the Razorbacks (which continues throughout each book) feels more diluted and less focused.  Additionally, important pieces of the story are never developed, such as how Wick's relationship with J.J. results in a significant change for Wick and Venom.  It is alluded to but never really explored.

Fans of the Black Dagger Brotherhood Series by J.R. Ward will see striking similarities between the two series. I didn't realize this at first since I started the Dragon Fury series before reading the Black Dagger Brotherhood series (BDB). The Dragon Fury Series, even more so than the BDB series is extremely formulaic so if you enjoy predictability - you get it here.

Since the price of the e-book is reasonable, I will probably continue to "read" (skimming the sentences that aren't needed) the series but I wish the author had a stronger editor that could help her really develop this series.

Check out the official book trailer:

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

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Review: Tiger Magic by Jennifer Ashley

Title: Tiger Magic (Shifters Unbound #3)

Author: Jennifer Ashley
Publication Date: June 4, 2013
Publisher: Berkley
Genre: Adult Paranormal Romance
Find It: Goodreads, Amazon, B&N, Book Depository
Source: Purchased

He was once a captive, but his urges were never caged. Now he’ll release them on a beautiful stranger whose own secret desires are longing to be sated…

He doesn’t have a name. He doesn’t have a clan. The humans who held him prisoner for forty years have taken them away. He knew nothing but captivity until nearly a year ago, when he was released into the light. Now Tiger lives in the Austin Shiftertown, where he struggles to belong and searches for an identity.

Carly Randal thinks her fabulous life is complete—until her car breaks down on the side of the road, and a wild-looking Shifter is the only one to help her. Tiger takes one look at Carly and knows instantly—she will be his mate. As Carly is drawn into his Shifter world, she risks everything she has for that forbidden something she still wants: passionate love.

With the introduction of Tiger in Tiger Magic, Jennifer Ashley veers slightly in a new direction with her Shifters Unbound series.  Though I haven't always read all of the books in this series in the correct order, if you want to know more about Shifters Unbound, I would begin with Pride Mates (Shifters Unbound #1).  Additionally, though you can read Tiger Magic without reading Mate Claimed (Shifters Unbound #4), readers who would like more of Tiger's backstory might want to add that one to their list as well.

In Tiger Magic, Ashley's main character is a tiger shifter named Tiger for his obvious similarities to his animal self.  Unlike the other shifters, Tiger was created and not born from parents who were shifters.  His abilities are significantly different than other shifters and he is considerably more unpredictable and, in some ways, wilder.  This makes other shifters uncomfortable around Tiger.

The story begins with Carly Randal, on the side of the road with a car that has broken down.  Tiger senses an immediate connection or bond and believes her to be his mate.  He approaches her and helps get her car working again.  Shortly after this the fun begins.  Carly is engaged to an arrogant and very rich man, who she discovers having an affair in their kitchen. When Tiger goes into protector mode, he nearly gets killed and winds up in the hospital, where it turns out that Carly is one of the only ones who can control him.

Carly recognizes that there is also a connection with Tiger, but isn't all that certain about this "mate bond" that Tiger keeps talking about.  I don't know about other readers, but I was immediately drawn to Tiger (who is an ultimate alpha male) and Carly.  Carly is a strong female and was a really nice balance for Tiger.  Their connection felt real even if it did contain quite a bit of "insta-love".  I felt that the introduction of Tiger has brought some new life to Ashley's series.

In addition to the romance aspect of the book, which definitely plays a large role in the story line, there is also a mystery about Tiger's abilities and what his purpose is. Why was he created?  There are some federal agent types that are after Tiger and it takes awhile to figure out who is good and who is just plain trouble. This story line adds another layer of interest for readers beyond just the romance.  Finally, I enjoyed catching up with previously introduced characters who live in the Austin Shifter town.  Readers, new and old, to Ashley's Shifter Unbound will want to pick up Tiger Magic and read it as soon as possible.

   

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Visit the author online at www.jennifersromances.com, her blog, like her on Facebook, and follow her on Twitter @jennallyson

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Review: Obsession

Obsession (An Arum Novel)
by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Publication date: 31 May 2013 by Entangled Publishing

ISBN 13: 978-1-62266-160-2
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Category: Adult Paranormal Romance
Keywords: Aliens, romance, Happy Ever After
Format:  eBook
Source: Purchased

Synopsis from GoodReads:

This is a stand alone novel that is an adult spin-off of the Lux Series.

He’s arrogant, domineering, and... To. Die. For.

Hunter is a ruthless killer. And the Department of Defense has him firmly in their grasp, which usually doesn’t chafe too badly because he gets to kill bad guys. Most of the time he enjoys his job. That is, until he’s saddled with something he’s never had to do before: protect a human from his mortal enemy.

Serena Cross didn’t believe her best friend when she claimed to have seen the son of a powerful senator turn into something... unnatural. Who would? But then she witnesses her friend’s murder at the hands of what can only be an alien, thrusting her into a world that will kill to protect their secret.

Hunter stirs Serena’s temper and her lust despite their differences. Soon he’s doing the unthinkable—breaking the rules he’s lived by, going against the government to keep Serena safe. But are the aliens and the government the biggest threats to Serena’s life… or is it Hunter?

Review:

Adult fans of Jennifer L. Armentrout's Young Adult Lux Novels will have a new book to enjoy and Obsession frankly blew away the other series in my mind.  I read and liked Obsidian (A Lux Novel #1), but the others were just okay for me.  And though you do not need to read the Lux series to read and enjoy Obsession, I do think it is helpful if you have read at least Obsidian.

In Obsession, Armentrout turns the tables on readers.  Instead of seeing things from the perspective of the Lux (who have pretty much been the heroes in the previous books), Obsession is from the perspective of the Arum.  The Arums are considered enemies of the Lux.  Wow!  Hunter, the main character of the book, is the ultimate anti-hero.  In many ways, Hunter shouldn't be liked or trusted, and he even admits this to Serena.  However, Hunter is definitely a 15 on the 1-10 scale of hotness.

In addition to loving Hunter, and I am not really even into arrogant "bad boys", Serena is a great female character.  She is strong and funny, and gives it right back to Hunter.  I loved when she threw a statute/figurine at Hunter.  Of course, Serena does a few things that made me roll my eyes but seriously, we wouldn't have some of the action scenes without some eye rolling choices.  And the action at the end is definitely worth the wait.

I couldn't put Obsession down and I would definitely recommend it to previous fans of Armentrout, as well as to new readers.

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Visit the author online at jenniferarmentrout.com, her blog, like her on Facebook, and follow her on Twitter @jlarmentrout

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Reivew: The Loneliest Alpha (The MacKellan Alphas #1)

The Loneliest Alpha (The MacKellan Alphas #1)
by T.A. Grey

Publication date: 15 June 2013 by CreateSpace Publishing

ISBN 10/13: 1490405461/978-1490405469
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Category: Adult Paranormal Romance
Keywords: werewolves, romance, mystery, Happy Ever After
Format:   eBook
Source: Purchased

Synopsis from GoodReads:

One look will change their lives forever.

Lingerie designer Alicia Clarkson just had to open her stupid mouth. Now thanks to trying to defend a fellow pack mate, Alicia’s been blindfolded, tied up, and carted off to the new alpha of the Oregon pack—Gavin MacKellen.

However, the blindfold doesn’t come off so soon as Gavin reveals he’s searching for a mate. But Alicia’s curiosity gets fired up when Gavin refuses to reveal his face to her. Just what happened to him? He talks to her from shadowy corners and behind closed doors. The man is as allusive as a squirrely fox. But Alicia doesn’t play games and the quiet spoken, hoarse voiced alpha doesn’t stand a chance against her. They settle on an agreement, thirty days for them to get to know each other because that’s the only way this cowboy alpha will have it.

Gavin MacKellen needs a mate. But he knows no good woman would ever want to look at his face after the incident he suffered. After one look at Alicia Clarkson all his plans fly out the window. The woman’s beauty has stunned him damn near speechless. She torments his thoughts and Gavin finds himself yearning to know everything about her. He admires her creativity and intelligence, the cool way she handles herself in stressful situations. Most of all, he aches deep in his chest to taste her lips. Those beautiful sweet lips, but in order to kiss her without showing her what a monster he was, he has to get creative.

A relationship forms and as love threatens to grow between them Gavin struggles to cope with his physical appearance in the face of the beautiful Alicia. Will she be the one to stand in the face of a monster and accept or will she turn her back on him as everyone else has?

Review:

The Loneliest Alpha is the first book in the MacKellan Alphas series, which is a spin-off of T. A. Grey's Kategan Alphas series.  Since this was my first T. A. Grey book, I am not certain whether I missed anything by not having read her previous series. For the most part, Grey provides enough information about the world where her books take place.  She has some of your usual characters found in paranormal books, but there are a few twists.  Werewolves have some special abilities such as being able to heal faster than a human and having better senses, but there doesn't appear to be any shifting or transforming, even partially.  There are also Vampires, and Humans, but I don't think the humans know about the other two (this may have been explained in the previous series), and I also don't know if Vampires are different from "traditional" vampires.

Overall, I really liked The Loneliest Alpha.  It was definitely a book that I wanted to keep reading.  As for characters, I liked Gavin (the MacKellan Alpha), his family, and Alicia. The chemistry between Gavin and Alicia was good, but there is definitely some insta-love that goes on with the story. Given that Alicia is "abducted" (sort of) by her pack and brought to the MacKellan's as a possible mate for Gavin and the majority of the book takes place in a couple of weeks, the assumption of insta-love is going to be made, and it isn't due to the typical mate imprinting that happens in other werewolf stories.

Another aspect of the story that I really liked is that both main characters have some very real flaws and relationship issues that they need to work through before things can be resolved.  Some of Alicia's flaws make some of her decisions at times seem annoying, but she was a strong female character.  Her interactions with Gavin's sisters were really funny too.

I also appreciated Grey's effort to create a story line that included an actual mystery to be solved rather than just the whole paranormal romance thing. But don't worry, the sexy scenes definitely had some heat.  One of the other concerns I had was that some of the scenes or parts of the book might have taken a little too long and could have been edited to keep the pace moving.  Regardless of the things that might have detracted from the story for me, I would definitely read another book by Grey and would recommend the series for those who want an interesting werewolf story.  

Check out the official book trailer:

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Visit the author online at www.tagrey.com, her blog, like her on Facebook, and follow her on Twitter @authortagrey

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Tall, Dark, and Divine - Review

Tall, Dark, and Divine (Bagging a Greek God #1)
by Jenna Bennett

Publication date: 23 April 2013 by Entangled Publishing

ISBN 10/13: 1622669533/978-1622669530
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Category: Adult Paranormal Romance
Keywords: Greek gods, romance, Happy Ever After
Format:  eBook
Source: Bought

Synopsis from GoodReads:

Annie Landon has given up on finding Mr. Right, and has gone out looking for Mr. Tonight instead. A conversation overheard in the bathroom of Dionysus’s Bar about a jilted and lonely "Greek god" in need of a quick pick-me-up sounds like just what she’s looking for. But picking up the god of love for a one-night stand is easier said than done--especially when he's sworn off mortals forever.

Eros has been down and out since his ex-wife left him, and falling for another mortal woman is the last thing he needs. Which means a maddening desire for the woman across the street is not in the cards. Thus begins his quest to find a match made in heaven for Annie. It's the perfect plan ... if only Eros can bear to let the girl of his dreams go.

Can a woman looking for love, and a matchmaking god who wants her to find it—with someone else—have a shot at a happy ending, or will Eros's golden arrows miss their mark, for once?

Review:

As I read Tall, Dark, And Divine, I kept thinking this would make a great movie for the Hallmark Channel or one of the other channels that specialize in romantic comedies.  Of course, if it were going to be shown on Hallmark, the hot sex scenes would totally need to be eliminated, which would be a total shame.

I enjoy stories where Greek deities are living in modern day settings.  Bennett has set her book in present day New York where Greek gods have assumed every day lives and run businesses such as bars, detective agencies, and even a matchmaking business.  The Greek god of love, yep, is the owner of that matchmaking business. Across from his office is a woman named Annie who owns a doggie bakery.  Harry, an accountant type, stops by the bakery to buy biscuits for his dog.  Eros is struggling some since his break-up with Psyche, but believes that by matching up Annie and Harry that he will be making the perfect match.  However, Harry has fallen for Brita (Britomartis, the Cretan goddess of hunting), and once Annie has met Eros (who goes by the name of Ross), she doesn't really have any interest in Harry. This "perfect match" may be a bit of a challenge, especially as Eros starts having feelings for Annie.

Tall, Dark, And Divine had a mix of things that I really enjoyed.  First, all of the characters are quite fun and likeable.  There are also quite a few humorous lines and scenes that just make you laugh out loud.  And the sexy scenes between Eros and Annie have some great heat without going over the top or dominating the story plot line.

While there were a number of things that I really enjoyed about this book, there were a few things that kept me from giving it a higher rating.  The story line is fairly predictable and at times resulted in some serious eye-rolling when certain scenes were just too obvious.  Annie's negative self-image and Eros's denial of his feelings for Annie became tedious.  I was glad that overall the book read quickly so the scenes that irritated me did not drag on.  Also, for Greek gods and demi-gods, Eros and the others really didn't have too many special abilities/powers, which just seemed strange. 

The last scenes of the book were pretty funny and really made me feel like I could visualize them unfolding on a small screen.  I can almost imagine the music that would play in the background and see who would star in each of the roles.

If you are looking for a fast, fun read, and don't mind a bit of predictability, I would recommend Tall, Dark, And Divine by Jenna Bennett.  

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Visit the author online at jennabennett.com, her blog, like her on Facebook, and follow her on Twitter @bennett_jenna

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