LITERAL ADDICTION Paranormal Book Club Book Review Archives

[Archive] LITERAL ADDICTION's Review of Defiance

noreply@blogger.com (LITERAL ADDICTION) — Tue, 04 Jun 2013 20:52:00 +0000

Stephanie Tyler is a bestselling writer of over 20 amazing titles. We say “writer” and not author because that is what she calls herself. Some may think that’s strange, but we get it. It’s the part she loves, it’s what she does, and therefore makes her what she is. She says she was born a writer, that she always knew it’s what she wanted to do, and took every step necessary to make it happen. She double majored in English Lit and Creative Writing, went back to get her Masters in English Lit and Secondary English Education, and even went so far as to get ½ of her PhD. She worked as a manager in a book store while going to school, and ended up teaching both at the middle school and college level afterward until family took precedence. Once that happened, she was able to really start writing, no longer having to split her creative focus between her students and herself, and she hasn’t stopped since.

It took Stephanie four years and 10 manuscripts before she got her first sales call, but after that, things happened fast and furiously. Within the span of a year, she was offered contracts for 11 books and just three years later hit the New York Times Best Seller list with “Hold on Tight”.

Defiance, Book #1 of the DEFIANCE series

by Stephanie Tyler

Synopsis:

Rebelling against her legacy as the MC's princess, Tru Tennyson escaped the ruthless, male-dominated culture of the Defiance motorcycle club. Three years later, her newfound freedom is ripped away, thanks to a massive hybrid storm that killed millions. Now, in the post-Chaos world of semi-darkness and near-total anarchy where gangs rule, she discovers the dangerous world of Defiance may be the one thing that can keep her safe.

Tru is at the MC's mercy when she's dragged back to her former home … and to the only man she's ever pictured a future with. Caspar is the bastard son of the club's leader, her safe haven when life got rough — and her onetime lover the night she left. When Tru refuses to trade sex for power and be claimed by a rival club leader, she also dares to announce she wants Caspar instead, throwing the MC into turmoil.

Tru's brazen revolt could start a gang war and destroy the club from within. Now both Tru and the MC must wait for Caspar's response … and the inevitable fallout.

Our Review, by LITERAL ADDICTION'S Pack Alpha - Michelle L. Olson:
*eARC provided by the Author in exchange for an honest review

Defiance is set in a dystopian world where natural disasters have wiped out most of the natural land mass and forced people to find ways to survive. Motorcycle Clubs (MC) have taken ownership of the main surviving territories and their primary money makers, and are functioning as governing bodies and rivals. Like current & known biker gang lifestyles, it's 'members' and 'by invite' only, and definitely rough around the edges.

Our hero, Caspar, is a member of the Defiance MC - the current Enforcer actually - and son to the President. He's also a known playboy and assumed slacker, but there is SO much more to him than meets the eye...

Tru, our heroine, was a member of Defiance growing up. Daughter to the Enforcer at the time, she survived a wickedly abusive childhood and took the first opportunity that presented itself to get out of the life. Unfortunately, life PC (post-Chaos) doesn't lend well to being on one's own, and she's forced back into the MC in order to survive.

Tru showing back up in Defiance causes all sorts of problems - there are debts to rival MCs that must be paid, assumed slights that must be smoothed over, she's viewed as an outsider because she left, yet still perceived as the Princess that she was born... And then there's her relationship with Caspar, it's nothing if not complicated. She has always known she was meant for him, yet they only shared one passionate night together - the night that he left for the military and she struck out on her own - and while things were complicated then within the MC, they're even more complicated now.

Thing of note: Defiance is classified as New Adult. I honestly wouldn't shackle it that way. Simply put, it was a dark, sexy, surprising, wonderfully fresh, and enjoyable read! Some kudos...

The world was solidly built, though I will admit that the beginning confused me a bit and I did read it twice to properly get the lay of the land. That's been the case with several debut dystopian novels for me though, it simply takes some time to set things up in that first book and without writing about the entire event that caused the current situation, it's not an easy feat to set the stage in limited number of pages, so I tend to want to make sure I understand before I get too far into the story.
The characters were well rounded and instantly compelling, and the way that Stephanie switched between points of view with our leading characters and first person for Mathias, a mute soldier who comes to Defiance with his buddy and ends up being Caspar's right hand men, was incredibly unique and pulled me in even further.
The intrigue of the story itself was amazing! I'm usually pretty good about seeing things coming, but even though I did foresee one of the secrets that was revealed, Defiance surprised me on more than one occasion!
The romance was S T E A M Y! :)

In short, I give Defiance 4 1/2 Skulls and would definitely recommend it! To whom you ask? Well... anyone, but especially Dystopian fans, Romantic Suspense Readers, and Urban Fantasy and Paranormal Romance groupies because it had a very 'Shifter' feel for me even though it was completely non-supernatural. This is definitely something fresh to check out!

Defiance

[Archive] LITERAL ADDICTION's Review of Prince of Shadows

noreply@blogger.com (LITERAL ADDICTION) — Tue, 04 Jun 2013 19:21:00 +0000

Nancy Gideon With over 50 sales to her credit since her first publication in 1987, Portage, Michigan author Nancy Gideon’s writing career is as versatile as the romance market, itself. Her books encompass genres from historicals and regencies to contemporary suspense and the paranormal. Her works have been published overseas in Romanian, Italian, Russian, Portuguese, Danish, German, Icelandic and Chinese, among other languages.

Also listed on the International Movie Database (IMDB), she collaborated on the indie horror films In the Woods and Savage with screenwriting and ADR script credits, and even played the character “Bar Extra.”

A national speaker on writing in general and romance in particular, Gideon is a Western Michigan University honors grad with a major in journalism and minors in history and communications. She’s a member of Novelist, Inc. and the Mid-Michigan, Greater Detroit, PASIC and FF&P chapters of Romance Writers of America®, and is former vice-president, published author co-liaison and award-winning newsletter editor for MMRWA.

The mother of two grown sons, one married and proud producer of her grandson and the other shanghaied into being her assistant, she also works full time for the law firm, Redmond, Redmond & Yokom.

A prolific writer, Gideon attributes her creative output, which once peaked at seven novels in one year, to her love of history and a gift for storytelling. She also credits the discipline learned through a background in journalism and scheduling writing time around diaper changes, Scout meetings, band lessons and outings to the Zoo Boo...and, of course, OCD. The due date for her third book and her second son were on the same day...and both were early! When on deadline, she turns on the laptop between 4:30 and 5:00 a.m. to get a chapter in before work.

While the pace is often hectic, Gideon, a Gemini, enjoys tackling diverse projects. One month it’s researching the gritty existence of 1880’s Texas Rangers only to jump to modern themes of intrigue and possibly a legal thriller or two. Then, it’s back to the shadowy netheworld of shape shifters, vampires and movie serial killers. When not working on her latest plot twist before sunrise or arranging medical depositions, she enjoys indulging in Netflix, hosting her critique group, and feeding a variety of wildlife on her fourth-floor balcony including a yearly family of raccoons. And, of course, reading.

Prince of Shadows, MOONLIGHT #8

by Nancy Gideon

Synopsis:

A gentle lady held hostage in a deadly play for power, Kendra Terriot’s only means of survival for herself and her family is to play to a careful courtship game. The one she chooses from the dangerous Terriot heirs will inherit the coveted crown, but the one she longs to have rescue her belongs to another.

Favored son of their cruel Shifter leader, the only calm in Cale Terriot’s necessarily violent life is his childhood love for his delicate distant cousin whom he’s pledged to make his queen. With Kendra at his side, he knows he can become the kind of ruler his clan needs, but first he must learn how to become the kind of mate she desires.

In a treacherous race for control, where weakness means death, Cale must prove he’s not the beast his beauty fears and still protect her, especially once her chosen love returns to free her. The only way to win her respect could mean surrendering his throne. The only way to win her heart could mean letting her go.

Our Review, by LITERAL ADDICTION's Pack Alpha - Michelle L. Olson:
*eARC provided by Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review

I think this might be my favorite book of the series. Don't get me wrong, I've loved Max and the gang, but there was just something about this installment that grabbed me and wouldn't let go. I actually think I know what it was... I read & enjoy Paranormal Romance a lot, but I always tend to gravitate back to Urban Fantasy, Sci-Fi, Horror, and Thriller, and quite frankly, the darker the better. This installment of the Moonlight series was definitely darker, grittier, more dangerous, and had a plot rife with twists... and I simply loved it!

Cale Terriot, or hero, is completely caught up in the dark world of his father's making as possible heir to the Terriot throne. While deep in his heart he yearns for so much more, he does what must be done, no matter how grave.

Kendra loved Cale as a child, but after her family was destroyed she blames the family for her loss and fears that Cale has turned into his father... or worse.

The Prince of Shadows tale is all about Cale playing a very dangerous game - trying to prove his love to Kendra, while keeping up appearances with his father and family - all the while just trying to stay alive. It kept me on the edge of my seat and was deliciously entertaining.

LITERAL ADDICTION gives Prince of Shadows 5 Skulls. While I do suggest reading the entire MOONLIGHT series, Prince of Shadows easily stands well on its own as a great read.

Prince of Shadows

[Archive] LITERAL ADDICTION's Review of Inferno - CHRONICLES OF NICK #4

noreply@blogger.com (LITERAL ADDICTION) — Tue, 04 Jun 2013 19:03:00 +0000

Sherrilyn Kenyon is referred to as “the preeminent voice in paranormal fiction”, and it has been said that “she not only helped to pioneer, but define the current paranormal trend that has captivated the world”. She has more than twenty-five million copies of her books in print, in over one hundred countries, and has claimed the coveted #1 bestselling spot sixteen times in just the past three years.

Inferno, CHRONICLES OF NICK #4

by Sherrilyn Kenyon

Synopsis:

The heat is on, and a new threat to humanity has risen…

Nick has his driver’s license and he’s not afraid to use it. But turning sixteen isn’t what he thought it would be. While other boys his age are worried about prom dates and applying for college, Nick is neck deep in enemies out to stop him from living another day. No longer sure if he can trust anyone, his only ally seems to be the one person he’s been told will ultimately kill him.

But life spent serving the undead is anything except ordinary. And those out to get him have summoned an ancient force so powerful even the gods fear it. As Nick learns to command and control the elements, the one he must master in order to combat his latest foe is the one most likely to destroy him. As the old proverb goes, fire knows nothing of mercy, and if Nick is to survive this latest round, he will have to sacrifice a part of himself. However, the best sacrifice is seldom the sanest move. Sometimes it’s the one that leaves your enemies confused, and you even more so.

And sometimes, you have to trust your enemy to save your friends. But what do you do when that enemy is you?

Our Review, by LITERAL ADDICTION's Pack Alpha - Michelle L. Olson:

This series is like chocolate - even though I know I shouldn't, one page, one chapter, is never enough - I can't stop until the entire book is gone & I feel guilty for not doing the things I should, yet utterly sated & happy for having indulged.:)

Every book of this series gets better & more intense. This may have been my favorite yet... Nick explores what happens when he leans more towards the darker side of his nature in this installment and it's not pretty - loved ones are put at risk (yet again), he gets in a huge bind (what's new, right!?), demons are possessing people close to him, Death (a.k.a Grim) is manipulating things to go his way and working with some other unsavory folk, love is tenuous at best, some huge revelations are made about several big players, and Nick's world is turned upside down. And then there was the epilogue... just wow! I cannot wait to see where Sherrilyn goes with this. I did not see that coming and am dying to see how it plays out.

In a word: Utterly fantastic!! An easy 5 Skull read for me and I think that everyone should read these books. They may be classified as Young Adult, but they read like a gritty Urban Fantasy and are must reads for all Dark-Hunter fans.

Inferno

[Archive] LITERAL ADDICTION's Review of Time Thief

noreply@blogger.com (LITERAL ADDICTION) — Tue, 04 Jun 2013 18:39:00 +0000

For as long as she can remember, Katie MacAlister has loved reading. Growing up in a family where a weekly visit to the library was a given, Katie spent much of her time with her nose buried in a book. Despite her love for novels, she didn't think of writing them until she was contracted to write a non-fiction book about software. Since her editor refused to allow her to include either witty dialogue or love scenes in the software book, Katie swiftly resolved to switch to fiction, where she could indulge in world building, tormenting characters, and falling madly in love with all her heroes.

Two years after she started writing novels, Katie sold her first romance, Noble Intentions. More than thirty books followed during the years after Noble's publication. Her novels have been translated into numerous languages, been recorded as audiobooks, received several awards, and placed on the New York Times, USA Today, and Publishers Weekly bestseller lists. She also writes for the young adult audience as Katie Maxwell, and for the mystery world as Kate Marsh.

Katie lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband and dogs, and can often be found lurking around online.

Time Thief, TIME THIEF Book #1

by Katie MacAlister

Synopsis:

Outcast due to their ability to manipulate time, shunned by the mortal and immortal worlds alike, a Traveller’s life is anything but easy.

Peter Faa is a member of the Watch tracking down a murderer, and unfortunately, all clues seem to point toward his own estranged family of Travellers. Any of his cousins could be guilty, but which one? They’re all experts in the art of stealing time...

After surviving a lightning strike, Kiya Mortenson is determined to get just one thing in her life right. And if that means taking a job as nanny to five pugs on a campsite in the Oregon wilderness, then so be it. It doesn’t hurt that the job comes with some spectacular male eye candy, including her new boss’s gorgeous grandson. If only she didn’t keep having this strange sense of deja vu...

When Peter discovers his own family is stealing time from Kiya, all bets are off. While she may drive him crazy at times, it’s clear that it’s not just lightning that’s creating some serious sparks between them. And he’s not going to let secrets, lies, or a devious murderer keep Kiya from where she belongs: at his side.

Our Review, by LITERAL ADDICTION's Pack Alpha - Michelle L. Olson:
*eARC received from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

Time Thief was a fantastically unique story with incredible, witty dialogue, fabulous characters, & great undertone.

I've met some delightful heroines in my time as a Katie MacAlister fan girl, but none as wonderful as Kiya Mortenson! She's quirky, energetic, spontaneous, and easily loved. Her inner dialogue is hilarious, and while she had traits I wish I had, there was a lot about her that I could relate with as well. She's just one of those heroines that you can't help but root for.

Peter Faa,our hero, is Kiya's opposite. He's disciplined, determined, and stoic a lot of the time, but he's got this incredible dry sense of humor and a heart of gold.

Our leading couple along with the supporting cast create a wonderful filling for this delightful new world. The Travellers and all of the history that Katie has created for them carve a new niche in the Paranormal Romance genre by being unlike anything I've encountered before, and something I am eagerly hoping to get lost in again very soon.

LITERAL ADDICTION gives Time Thief 4 1/2 Skulls and definitely recommends it if you're looking for something fresh, funny, sexy and new.

Time Thief

[Archive] LITERAL ADDICTION's Review of Twice Tempted

noreply@blogger.com (LITERAL ADDICTION) — Tue, 04 Jun 2013 18:21:00 +0000

Jeaniene Frost is the New York Times, USA Today and international bestselling author of the NIGHT HUNTRESS series and the NIGHT HUNTRESS WORLD novels.
Jeaniene lives in North Carolina with her husband and enjoy reading, poetry, watching movies, exploring old cemeteries, spelunking and traveling (by car) when she’s not writing. Airplanes, children and cook books frighten her.
From an early age Jeaniene was drawn to the strange. She would sneak out and watch horror movies at every opportunity, much to her parents’ dismay of course. At the tender age of 12 she began writing poetry. Shortly after that, she read her first romance novel, and it was love at first read! She knew she wanted to write her own novels someday, but figured she had plenty of time to do so. With that attitude, she didn’t actually start writing seriously until she was almost thirty.
When she finally sat down to do it, she knew it had to have her two favorite elements in it: urban fantasy and romance. Everyone has a favorite Supe Group. For Jeaniene it’s vampires. The first time she went to Sunday school, her minister pointed to the cross on the wall and asked her if she knew what it stood for. With all of the logic of an awestruck 5 year old, she seriously replied, “Yes, that’s what keeps the vampires away!” She’s been hooked on vampires ever since.

Twice Tempted, book #2 of the NIGHT PRINCE series

by Jeaniene Frost

Synopsis:

Dating the Prince of Darkness has its challenges...

Leila's psychic abilities have been failing her, and now she isn't sure what the future holds. If that weren't enough, her lover, Vlad, has been acting distant. Though Leila is a mere mortal, she's also a modern woman who refuses to accept the cold shoulder treatment forever–especially from the darkly handsome vampire who still won't admit that he loves her.

Like choosing between eternal love and a loveless eternity...

Soon circumstances send Leila back to the carnival circuit, where tragedy strikes. And when she finds herself in the crosshairs of a killer who may be closer than she realizes, Leila must decide who to trust– the fiery vampire who arouses her passions like no other or the tortured knight who longs to be more than a friend? With danger stalking her every step of the way, all it takes is one wrong move to damn her for eternity.

Our Review, by LITERAL ADDICTION's Pack Alpha - Michelle L. Olson:

I love Cat and Bones, but Vlad and his leading lady... Mmmm, mmm, mmmm! Simply incredible!

Book #2 of the NIGHT PRINCE series picks up where Once Burned left off, but focuses on the tension filled relationship between Leila and Vlad. He has everything to offer her and is willing to give it all, except the one thing that she wants above all else, his love.

Leila is an incredible heroine. She's strong, confident, not willing to settle, and above all, she's not perfect... she has many faults, but they make her who she is and that's precisely why I love her.

Vlad is one of my favorite heroes. He's cocky, ruthless, powerful and sexy as all get out. His insistence that he can't ever give Leila the love that she wants makes for a very tension filled tale in this installment, but also creates an amazing opportunity for character growth of our hero. It was wonderful read.

I adored this book, easily give it 5 Skulls, definitely recommend it, and can't wait for the final book of the trilogy. The next Night Huntress book teaser at the end was very welcome as well. :)

Twice Tempted

[Archive] LITERAL ADDICTION's Review of Darkness Avenged

noreply@blogger.com (LITERAL ADDICTION) — Tue, 04 Jun 2013 18:02:00 +0000

Alexandra Ivy “I’m not exactly sure when I fell in love with books. Probably on my mother’s knee listening to her read Dr. Seuss to me. I do remember that I was barely old enough to cross the street by myself when I discovered the delights of the local library. Could anything be more wonderful than spending summer days surrounded by stacks of Nancy Drew mysteries? Over the years I fell in love with Victoria Holt, Jane Austen, Agatha Christie, and J.R.R. Tolkien just to name a few. I read poetry, essays, biographies, and plays. In fact, I read anything I could get my hands on.

Years later (no, I’m not admitting how many) I’m still an avid reader, and my tastes are still as varied as they were in my youth, which I suppose helps to explain why I enjoy writing regency historicals under the name of Deborah Raleigh, as well as my contemporary paranormals as Alexandra Ivy. For now that is enough to keep me busy, but who knows what the future might hold!

I do have a few other loves in my life besides reading and writing, the most important being my unbelievably patient husband, David, and my two sons, Chance and Alexander. Without their constant support and belief in me, I never could have been able to follow my dreams. They are truly my heroes.”

Darkness Avenged, GUARDIANS OF ETERNITY Book #10

by Alexandra Ivy

Synopsis:

THE SEARCH FOR A TRAITOR

As the demon world celebrates the defeat of the Dark Lord, the vampire Santiago’s mood remains bleak. He still yearns for the sensual, raven-haired Nefri, who has inexplicably disappeared. But brooding for Nefri is a luxury that Santiago does not have. His traitorous sire, Gaius, is unleashing a violent scourge upon the mortal world, and Santiago must stop him before it’s too late...

LEADS TO A DANGEROUS SEDUCTION

To her dismay, the all-powerful Oracles have sent Nefri on her own mission to find Gaius, and failure is not an option. Nefri’s search leads her to the vampire’s abandoned lair—and straight into Santiago’s path. It’s clear Santiago intends to seduce her, but then an ancient, banished evil reappears, threatening to thrust the world into a madness it cannot survive...

Our Review, by LITERAL ADDICTION's Pack Alpha - Michelle L. Olson:
*ARC Received from the Author in Exchange for an Honest Review

Whew, talk about bang for your buck! 2 1/2 power couples, multiple villains, interweaving storylines, surprises around every corner... It was great!

I've been a GUARDIANS OF ETERNITY fan since the very beginning, & like any long running series, there comes a time where the books start to feel like filler. I was getting a bit worried about that with this series because while I was still enjoying the books, they didn't keep me reading til all hours of the morning and ignoring everything else around me like they had...until this one! :)

I've always been a fan of Dante and Viper in the series, but was immediately drawn to Santiago when he was introduced way back in the series. He's one of those uber confident, semi-cocky, sexy as sin alpha males that you just can't help but fall for. Nefri is a very confident and strong female as well, and her story is intriguing to say the least - she's an Ancient and has been behind the Veil for longer than Santiago has been alive and undead. When the two are paired together by the Commission to hunt down Santiago's sire as he wreaks havoc on the world, things get incredibly interesting... in SO many ways. The things revealed in this book were so intense. It's any GUARDIANS OF ETERNITY fans' dream.

I loved this book and easily give it 5 Skulls. I do not recommend that readers jump into this book if they have not read the other books of the series though, there's just too much history. Outside of that, HIGHLY recommended.

Darkness Avenged

[Archive] LITERAL ADDICTION's Review of Clockwork Fairy Tales

noreply@blogger.com (LITERAL ADDICTION) — Tue, 04 Jun 2013 17:42:00 +0000

Clockwork Fairy Tales
by Stephen L. Antczak (Editor), James C. Bassett (Editor), Pip Ballantine, K.W. Jeter , Jay Lake, Kat Richardson , Paul Di Filippo,Steven Harper , Nancy A. Collins ,G.K. Hayes , Gregory Nicoll, & Philippa Ballantine

Synopsis:

Combining the timeless fairy tales that we all read as children with the out-of-time technological wizardry that is steampunk, this collection of stories blends the old and the new in ways sure to engage every fantasy reader.

Inspired by Hans Christian Andersen’s "The Red Shoes", New York Times bestselling author K. W. Jeter’s "La Valse" forges a fable about love, the decadence of technology, and a gala dance that becomes the obsession of a young engineer—and the doom of those who partake in it.

In "You Will Attend Until Beauty Awakens", national bestselling author and John W. Campbell Award winner Jay Lake tells the story of Sleeping Beauty—and how the princess was conceived in deception, raised in danger, and rescued by a prince who may be less than valiant.

The tale of "The Tinderbox" takes a turn into the surreal when a damaged young soldier comes into possession of an intricate, treacherous treasure and is drawn into a mission of mercy in national bestselling author Kat Richardson’s "The Hollow Hounds".

In "The Kings of Mount Golden", Hugo and World Fantasy Award nominee Paul Di Filippo tells the story of a young man’s search for his heritage and a mechanical marvel that lies at the heart of a sinister pact in this fascinating take on "The King of the Golden Mountain".

ALSO INCLUDES STORIES FROM
Steven Harper
Nancy A. Collins
G. K. Hayes
Gregory Nicoll
Pip Ballantine

Our Review, by LITERAL ADDICTION's GuestvReviewer - Michelle M:
*ARC received from the Publisher in exchange for an honest review

This book is a collection of Steampunk Fables based on fairy tales. These stories take you back to a time long ago but with a twist. I loved them. My favorite would be You Will Attend Until Beauty Awakens. This one is based on Sleeping Beauty and I just loved the story. Each of the Fables in this book stick to your mind and you will always remember them and I love that about a book that I read. So many times you can forget what the books were about but this one will always stick.

The technology in these makes a person like me, 'a tech nerd', happy and learning about Steampunk was a great experience for me. You had gears, laboratories, mechanical dogs and treasure. You get a little and a lot all at the same time. Short stories but great on detail and Steampunk goodness. This was my first book on Steampunk and I will definitely be checking out more of this genre now that I got to get into the worlds in each of these Fables.

LITERAL ADDICTION's Guest Reviewergives Clockwork Fairy Tales 4 Skulls.

Clockwork Fairy Tales

[Archive] LITERAL ADDICTION's Review of Fall of Night

noreply@blogger.com (LITERAL ADDICTION) — Tue, 04 Jun 2013 17:35:00 +0000

Rachel Caine is the New York Times, USA Today and internationally bestselling author of more than 30 novels, including the immensely popular Morganville Vampires series, the Weather Warden series, and the Outcast Season series.

She was born at White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico, attended Socorro High School in El Paso, Texas, and earned a bachelors degree in business administration from Texas Tech University. She’s worked in many jobs, including accounting, graphic designer, insurance investigation, corporate communications, and web design, to name just a few. She became a full time writer in 2010.

Rachel is married to award-winning fantasy artist R. Cat Conrad.

Fall of Night, Book #14 of the MORGANVILLE VAMPIRES series

by Rachel Caine

Synopsis:

Thanks to its unique combination of human and vampire residents, Morganville, Texas, is a small college town with big-time problems. When student Claire Danvers gets the chance to experience life on the outside, she takes it. But Morganville isn’t the only town with vampire trouble...

Claire never thought she’d leave Morganville, but when she gets accepted into the graduate program at MIT, she can’t pass up the opportunity. Saying good-bye to her friends is bittersweet, especially since things are still raw and unsettled between Claire and her boyfriend, Shane.

Her new life at MIT is scary and exciting, but Morganville is never really far from Claire’s mind. Enrolled in a special advanced study program with Professor Irene Anderson, a former Morganville native, Claire is able to work on her machine, which is designed to cancel the mental abilities of vampires.

But when she begins testing her machine on live subjects, things quickly spiral out of control, and Claire starts to wonder whether leaving Morganville was the last mistake she’ll ever make...

Our Review, by LITERAL ADDICTION's Pack Alpha - Michelle L. Olson:

All I could say when I finished this book was "Holy mother...."

I wasn't sure what to expect with all of the changes from the last couple books, the breakup of our known posse and the tension running rampant, but if it's even possible for me to love one of these books even more than I already have been, Fall of Night did the trick!

I started the book at 1am on release day because I simply couldn't wait, and by the next afternoon I was finished. I couldn't put it down!

I love the new characters, the action was even more intense than usual (and that's saying A LOT!), and the surprises... I don't even know where to begin; I'm actually a bit speechless right now. Let me just say that I don't think I've said "OMG!" so many times over the course of one book ever. Fall of Night was absolutely, amazingly, stunningly awesome!

An easy 5 Skull read, and though I didn't think it was possible, this series (even after 14 books) just keeps getting better!

Fall of Night

[Archive] LITERAL ADDICTION's Review of Perfect Reflection

noreply@blogger.com (LITERAL ADDICTION) — Wed, 29 May 2013 17:46:00 +0000

Jana Leigh grew up Iowa and got a Masters in Social Work from Iowa State University. She married the love of her life 17 years ago and then retired from Social Work to be a stay at home mom for her three wonderful children. She has always had a love of reading and as the children grew, she discovered that she had another passion, writing. She has published several different series which are available around the world in many different formats. She now lives in Colorado with her family and loves nothing better than to cozy up to her fireplace and write.

Bryce Evans is a mother, a writer, and a wife who loves to escape to the world she built in the Ashland Pack. She burst onto the publishing scene with a hit in The Trinity. Soon, she will be releasing the second in the series, and a new series.

Perfect Reflection, book #1 of the SHIFTER JUSTICE series
by Jana Leigh and Bryce Evans

Synopsis:
Jewel Campbell is a cop through and through; she is also a female wolf shifter. She loves it, lives it, and breaths it. When a series of murders begins in Atlanta, Jewel and her best friend and partner Vander catch the case.

Just when they thought they had a grasp on who the suspect is, Jewel is thrown for a loop when she finds the suspect to be her mate—along with his best friend.

Retten is the Alpha of the New York Pack, sexy, powerful, and rich. Retten is the whole package. His Beta, Lex, works in the New York Police Department. They are shocked to find out Retten is the prime suspect in a serial murder case.

When they all meet, a wave of shock rolls through them as they discover Jewel is their mate. Only the happiness for the men is short lived when Jewel informs them she’s having no part of two men as her mates. Especially if one is a murderer, she doesn’t care how wealthy he is.

However, after some strange facts arise which make Jewel question her mates innocence, they must work together to find a way to prove it all. What happens if it can’t be proven that Retten isn’t responsible? How can she love someone she is going to have to put away forever?

Enjoy the twists and turns that will leave you on the end of your seat, while the story makes you question the old saying, “Love can conquer all.”

Our Review, by LITERAL ADDICTION's Associate Reviewer - Marta C:
*eBook Gifted to Reviewer by LITERAL ADDICTION in exchange for an honest review

Perfect Reflection is the first book I have read by the authors Jana Leigh and Bryce Evans and is also the first in their Shifter Justice series.

It's the tale of police detective Jewel Campbell (a werewolf) and her case involving a serial killer who murders women in both Atlanta and New York. During her investigation she meets Retten(New York Alpha) and Lex(his Beta)and realizes that they are both her destined Mates. Strong evidence points to Retten being the killer and the attraction between them makes it vital that Jewel get to the truth and catch the murderer as her life is also in danger.

This is a book that ticks a lot of boxes really. It's essentially a shifter tale but its also a mystery and could even be referred to as romantic suspense as there is a very strong storyline. It also features ménage which could put it in the erotica category.

Red herrings are thrown around enough that the fast paced story keeps the pages turning and the passion between the threesome will please many readers.The epilogue sets up nicely for the next instalment which hopefully will feature Jewels partner Vander Collins.

For me, the writing was a little jumpy at times and perhaps did not flow as easily as some books do. I really wanted Retten to be more Alpha male also, but understand that the authors wanted to get across that he was prepared to share the love of his life with his best friend.

LITERAL ADDICTION's Guest Reviewer thoroughly enjoyed this tale, will be looking out for the next book in the series, and gives Perfect Reflection 4 Skulls.
Perfect Reflection

[Archive] LITERAL ADDICTION's Review of Darkness Unmasked

noreply@blogger.com (LITERAL ADDICTION) — Sat, 25 May 2013 04:41:00 +0000

Keri Arthur author of the New York Times bestselling Riley Jenson, Guardian series, has now written more than 25 books. She's received several nominations in the Best Contemporary Paranormal category of the Romantic Times Reviewer's Choice Awards, and recently won RT's Career Achievement Award for urban fantasy. She lives in Melbourne with her daughter and two crazy dogs.

Darkness Unmasked, DARK ANGELS Book #5

by Keri Arthur

Synopsis:

Shortly after her fight on the astral plane, Risa receives a phone call from Madeline Hunter, the leader of the vampire council, ordering her to investigate the death of Hunter's close friend and lover - Wolfgang Schmidt. His body has been discovered wrapped in a web-like substance and has been completely drained. As the body count continues to grow, Risa must summon her gifts to find the dark spirit before it strikes again.

Meanwhile, as the search for the keys that keep the gate to Hell closed grows more intense, Risa begins to unravel mysteries that will have startling consequences for her.

Our Review, by LITERAL ADDICTION's Pack Alpha - Michelle L. Olson:
*ARC received from the Publisher in exchange for an honest review

Keri Arthur has woven another compelling web of action, intrigue, mystery and suspense with Darkness Unmasked!

Being a chronic reader, it is my personal opinion that one of the highest compliments a book can receive is when it doesn't matter what you should be doing, you'd rather be reading. And an even greater testament to the utter captivating nature of the tale when that statement is turned to action, wherein everything in 'real life' is pushed aside for the opportunity to be totally immersed in the magic of the story. This series has done that to me 5 times over now - the outside world simply disappears when I have a DARK ANGELS book in hand, and I don't move until that last incredible page is turned...

This release is slightly darker and grittier than the previous installments. There's just as much action, but the violence is more intense, the villainy more sinister, and the emotions more raw. The romance is slightly different as well. It was simply written, leaving much to the imagination.

With the journey this series has taken it is almost impossible to write a plot driven review without spoilers, and because I don't do that, I will simply tell you that while a lot of series start to lag at the 5 book mark, somehow I feel like this thrill-ride is just getting started. There was a quote that about sums things up: Risa is at the climax of the story and is told, "Be careful, Risa Jones, there are more games being played than you realize." :). I'll also say that the twists that were introduced in this part of the story arc were diabolical in their brilliance & served to just further the emotional bond that Keri has been able to forge between her characters and the reader, as well as the characters themselves. No other books elicit the type of emotional response that these do for me; I always feel like I'm right there with them, and every single book has become a new favorite, leaving me emotionally spent and yet only wanting more. Darkness Unmasked easily scored another 5 Skull rating from me. I highly recommend it, and the entire DARK ANGELS series - to everyone. These books have everything you want in a perfectly written Urban Fantasy - strong and well developed characters, superb world building, suspense and mystery with plenty of surprises, heart pumping action and intrigue, and just enough romance and witty dialogue to smooth out the edges.

Darkness Unmasked

[Archive] LITERAL ADDICTION's Review of Woman on the Run

noreply@blogger.com (LITERAL ADDICTION) — Thu, 23 May 2013 18:41:00 +0000

Lisa Marie Rice is eternally 30 years old and will never age. She is tall and willowy and beautiful. Men drop at her feet like ripe pears. She has won every major book prize in the world. She is a black belt with advanced degrees in archaeology, nuclear physics, and Tibetan literature. She is a concert pianist. Did I mention her Nobel Prize? Of course, Lisa Marie Rice is a virtual woman and exists only at the keyboard when writing erotic romance. She disappears when the monitor winks off.

Woman on the Run

by Lisa Marie Rice

Synopsis:

What's a girl to do? Sophisticated urbanite Julia Devaux loves her life. What's not to love? A fabulous job in publishing, wonderful friends, gorgeous apartment, the company of her beautiful though temperamental Siamese cat, Federico Fellini-she's got it made. And then Julia has the bad luck to witness a Mob murder and her life goes straight down the toilet. Under the Witness Security program, Julia is relocated to the boondocks, a hundred miles from the nearest bookstore and Estee Lauder outlet, where the only fast food is deer and the only entertainment is sex with a laconic local rancher. Luckily, talking isn't what Sam Cooper does best... Former SEAL Sam Cooper can't believe his luck when mystery woman Sally Anderson hits town. Simpson, Idaho, can't even offer a decent cup of coffee let alone gorgeous new grade school teachers. The instant Cooper sees Sally, he stakes her out as his own. Granted, he's not much good at talking, but he does his best to keep her happy. When he discovers her life is in danger, he'll stop at nothing to keep her safe and with him. He's not alone. The whole town of Simpson wants to keep her. Publisher's Note: This is a rewritten and expanded version of a story previously published elsewhere under the title Pursued.

Our Review, by LITERAL ADDICTION's Associate Reviewer - Marta C:
*eARC received in exchange for an honest review

Fabulous book!

I haven't read a lot of romantic suspense novels and certainly never one from this author but confess to being blown away by it! I really wasn't that intrigued by the idea of a woman on witness protection acting as a teacher whilst meeting and falling for an ex Navy Seal but boy was I in for a very pleasant surprise!

From their first meeting which was hilarious and involved the heroine Julia Devaux hitting Sam Cooper(Coop) over the head with a pumpkin of all things to their very steamy and passionate relationship there was nothing that I didn't like. This hero puts the T in taciturn! Truly a man of few words but boy did he provide action! A sensitive and caring heroine and well fleshed out supporting characters made this an interesting story.

I will confess that I realized who the "bad guy" was, but then I do read an awful lot of fiction and I am sure many readers will be pleasantly surprised by the ending of this book and the epilogue was especially sweet! I will also admit that I just sat and read this in one sitting and ignored housework as it was that good. :)

Would I recommend this book? Definitely! Will I try more from this author? Silly question as the answer is one hundred percent yes!

LITERAL ADDICTION's Associate Reviewer gives Woman on the Run 5 Skulls.

Woman on the Run

[Archive] LITERAL ADDICTION's Review of Shadow of Night

noreply@blogger.com (LITERAL ADDICTION) — Mon, 20 May 2013 04:49:00 +0000

Deborah Harkness is an American scholar, novelist and wine enthusiast, best known as a historian and the author of New York Times best selling novel A Discovery of Witches and its sequel Shadow of Night.

Shadow of Night, book #2 of THE LOST SOULS TRILOGY
by Deborah Harkness

Synopsis:IT BEGAN WITH A DISCOVERY OF WITCHES.

Historian Diana Bishop, descended from a line of powerful witches, and long-lived vampire Matthew Clairmont have broken the laws dividing creatures. When Diana discovered a significant alchemical manuscript in the Bodleian Library,she sparked a struggle in which she became bound to Matthew. Now the fragile coexistence of witches, daemons, vampires and humans is dangerously threatened.

Seeking safety, Diana and Matthew travel back in time to London, 1590. But they soon realise that the past may not provide a haven. Reclaiming his former identity as poet and spy for Queen Elizabeth, the vampire falls back in with a group of radicals known as the School of Night. Many are unruly daemons, the creative minds of the age, including playwright Christopher Marlowe and mathematician Thomas Harriot.

Together Matthew and Diana scour Tudor London for the elusive manuscript Ashmole 782, and search for the witch who will teach Diana how to control her remarkable powers...

Our Review, by LITERAL ADDICTION's Pack Alpha - Michelle L. Olson:

Shadow of Night, the second installment of Deborah Harkness’s ALL SOULS TRILOGY was a wonderful pastiche of factual history and entertaining fiction, all woven together to create a work of art worthy of any intellectual reader.

Shadow of Night picks up where A Discovery of Witches leaves off, though new readers who are jumping in to this book without having enjoyed the debut novel will have no problems catching on.

Written in several parts, the novel follows Matthew and Diana as they travel back to Matthew’s past in 1590 in search of several things – a witch skilled enough to instruct Diana and hopefully give some answers regarding the incongruence of her magic, and the complete ‘book of origins’ being the main two. As they assimilate themselves in Elizabethan times, some big secrets are revealed, relationships and loyalties are both forged and tested, and they undergo the delicate dance of completing their mission without utterly altering the present reality.

It’s very difficult to write a comprehensive review for this book without spoilers, so I’ll just keep it surface level and say that Shadow of Night is not a light-hearted, quick read (especially not at 584 pages). It’s a well developed, beautifully written, and intricate tale built around some incredible factual research and set in a complex yet compelling world of wonder. The characters are well developed and the twisted facts in the fiction had me doing research into the true lives of the individuals Deborah bases her characters on days after finishing the book, smiling all the while in acknowledgement of the sheer creative cleverness involved.

So in short, LITERAL ADDICTION gives Shadow of Night 4 ½ Skulls. If you’re looking for a book that mixes fact with fantasy fiction, utterly entertains and yet intellectually challenges, and sticks with you long after you’ve turned the last page, this series is definitely for you.

Shadow of Night

[Archive] LITERAL ADDICTION's Review of A Discovery of Witches

noreply@blogger.com (LITERAL ADDICTION) — Mon, 20 May 2013 04:45:00 +0000

A Discovery of Witches, book #1 of THE LOST SOULS TRILOGY

by Deborah Harkness

Synopsis:

A richly inventive novel about a centuries-old vampire, a spellbound witch, and the mysterious manuscript that draws them together.

Deep in the stacks of Oxford's Bodleian Library, young scholar Diana Bishop unwittingly calls up a bewitched alchemical manuscript in the course of her research. Descended from an old and distinguished line of witches, Diana wants nothing to do with sorcery; so after a furtive glance and a few notes, she banishes the book to the stacks. But her discovery sets a fantastical underworld stirring, and a horde of daemons, witches, and vampires soon descends upon the library. Diana has stumbled upon a coveted treasure lost for centuries-and she is the only creature who can break its spell.

Debut novelist Deborah Harkness has crafted a mesmerizing and addictive read, equal parts history and magic, romance and suspense. Diana is a bold heroine who meets her equal in vampire geneticist Matthew Clairmont, and gradually warms up to him as their alliance deepens into an intimacy that violates age-old taboos. This smart, sophisticated story harks back to the novels of Anne Rice, but it is as contemporary and sensual as the Twilight series-with an extra serving of historical realism.

Our Review, by LITERAL ADDICTION's Guest Reviewer, Cheryl W:

I was lucky enough to win one of the advanced reader copy versions of Deborah Harkness' A Discovery of Witches, to be released in 02/2011. When I completed the first chapter and woke up the next morning I decided that I had to write my thoughts for the review as they occurred. One of the things that crossed my mind when I first heard about this book was wow. This book is written by a scholar. I researched the author via her university home page because I was curious about her background. When I finished the first chapter I was still in the wow stage and my thoughts were; this is a bridge between scholars and great urban fantasy writers. I love when I get to have both! I wish as a techie scholar I could combine my two loves of computers and urban fantasy. This book was everything I hoped it would be!

I read this slowly despite how I typically devour most books. With some books I slow down intentionally because I realize that I do not want it to end quickly. A Discovery of Witches is that type of book. It is the type of book you develop a relationship with as you read it. I think that there will be people that will fall in love with it as they read it just as I did. I hope that even those that feel that it may not be for them still find something that they can take from the book. It is very intricate. The story is well developed, extremely well written and the characters are very well developed. But, it was not a quick read for me because, I did not want it go fast. For me it is a book that you spend time with and do not forget the places it takes you as the characters are being drawn. The history it discusses is thought-provoking. One of the things I liked was how Diana developed with regard to her powers and her family. Politics were a strong part of the story. With regard to the politics one of the most intriguing things I found was who is involved in the politics. I am trying to keep this review spoiler free. But, as the blurb on the back states we have multiple beings involved in this book and they have a very long history with each other. One of the things that make this book so amazing is the historical backdrop for all of the creatures. I found myself looking forward to learning more about all of the beings. I really look forward to more written by Deb Harkness. I had a hard time deciding how to end my review but it does not spoil anything to shout; “I can’t wait to see what happens next”!

A Discovery of Witches

[Archive] LITERAL ADDICTION's Review of Inferno

noreply@blogger.com (LITERAL ADDICTION) — Sat, 18 May 2013 15:48:00 +0000

Dan Brown is the author of numerous #1 bestselling novels, including The Da Vinci Code, which has become one of the best selling novels of all time as well as the subject of intellectual debate among readers and scholars. Brown’s novels are published in 52 languages around the world with 200 million copies in print.

In 2005, Brown was named one of the 100 Most Influential People in the World by TIME Magazine, whose editors credited him with “keeping the publishing industry afloat; renewed interest in Leonardo da Vinci and early Christian history; spiking tourism to Paris and Rome; a growing membership in secret societies; the ire of Cardinals in Rome; eight books denying the claims of the novel and seven guides to read along with it; a flood of historical thrillers; and a major motion picture franchise.”

The son of a mathematics teacher and a church organist, Brown was raised on a prep school campus where he developed a fascination with the paradoxical interplay between science and religion. These themes eventually formed the backdrop for his books. He is a graduate of Amherst College and Phillips Exeter Academy, where he later returned to teach English before focusing his attention full time to writing.

Brown is currently at work on a new book as well as the Columbia Pictures film version of his most recent novel.

Inferno - ROBERT LANGDON Series #4

by Dan Brown

Synopsis:

In the heart of Italy, Harvard professor of symbology Robert Langdon is drawn into a harrowing world centered on one of history’s most enduring and mysterious literary masterpieces . . . Dante’s Inferno.

Against this backdrop, Langdon battles a chilling adversary and grapples with an ingenious riddle that pulls him into a landscape of classic art, secret passageways, and futuristic science. Drawing from Dante’s dark epic poem, Langdon races to find answers and decide whom to trust . . . before the world is irrevocably altered.

Our Review, by LITERAL ADDICTION's Pack Alpha - Michelle L. Olson:
I'm a Dan Brown fan... I've read all of his works, not just the Robert Langdon series - Digital Fortress is probably my favorite work of his. Anyway, being a fan, I was excited to hear that he was coming out with a new book, had Inferno pre-ordered, and actually waited up until after midnight on release day so I could start it immediately keeping the next day free of commitments so I could dedicate it to reading. Sadly, the only thought that kept running through my head while reading was "Oh Dan, where is the heart!!?" :-/

I like Brown's writing style despite the harsh critique it's received. I enjoy how his books are layered with codes and mysteries, how they're incredibly fast-paced & often surprising, & how he takes facts and then pulls and twists them like taffy as far as they'll go without breaking to turn them into riveting fiction.

I don't even mind the repeated format within the Robert Langdon series - professor and expert on symbology and iconography finds himself embroiled in the middle of a high-stakes mystery, teams up with an attractive, smart and capable foreign woman who helps fill in the gaps and challenges him, and the two cement alliances, skirt villains, and undergo a hair raising adventure to save the world's (or the world itself).

With all that said, Inferno just fell flat for me. It had the expected format as mentioned above. It had the twisted facts as also mentioned above. What it didn't have was any of the action packed thrills and gasp inducing surprises I've come to know and love in Dan Brown's books. In addition, those style critiques I mentioned were very evident in this book to me, where I hadn't even noticed them before: foreign languages used during dialogue - a lot of times without clarification leaving holes for those of us who don't speak fluent Italian or Latin, references that make no sense - a train of thought referral to Dutch city where MC Escher lived (who cares if that's where the artist lived, it has no bearing in the story & took 3 sentences to tell!), simile & hyperbole used in the weirdest of places without much order, etc.

I wanted to love this book. I really, really did, especially given my fascination with and deep appreciation for Dante and all of the other art and literature his Divine Comedy spawned, but alas I just couldn't, and am giving my very first ever 2 Skull review. *sigh*

Inferno

[Archive] LITERAL ADDICTION's Review of The Descendant

noreply@blogger.com (LITERAL ADDICTION) — Sat, 18 May 2013 15:41:00 +0000

Kelley Grealis was born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio. She has a B.A. in Accounting from Baldwin-Wallace College and a Masters of Businss Administration from Cleveland State University.

She has loved all things vampire since she was a little girl, and it was that passion combined with thirteen years of Catholic schooling, that inspired her to write THE DESCENDANT.

Kelley lives in a Cleveland suburb with her husband.

The Descendant

by Kelley Grealis

Synopsis:

Allison Carmichael wakes from a car wreck with no memory of the past three years. She doesn’t recall her husband’s death or how she alienated her friends, and she definitely doesn’t remember anything about her new boyfriend Vincent Drake – a charismatic man with a penchant for rare and unique possessions. In fact, the only things familiar to Allison are her seemingly common ailments – insomnia, lack of appetite, erratic body temperature – which have gone undiagnosed and are worsening.

But Vincent knows exactly who, and what, Allison is – a mortal descendant of the first vampire. He is a vampire who has watched over Allison and her ancestors since the biblical times of Cain and Abel ensuring their secret is kept. Once he realizes Allison’s symptoms are accelerating and transforming her, he’ll stop at nothing to have her.

Allison discovers that she is a descendant and the first of her kind to exhibit signs of vampirism. She must decide between risking her mortal death if she cannot control her symptoms or fully transforming into a vampire and damning her soul for eternity. A decision made even more difficult when Allison discovers that Vincent has manipulated her life, and everyone in it, so that he can have the one thing no one else in the world has – the first descendant-turned-vampire.

THE DESCENDANT – A Vampire Tale of Biblical Proportions

Our Review, by LITERAL ADDICTION's Pack Alpha - Michelle L. Olson:
I keep saying that I hate doing this - making comparisons to other series and shows - but I seem to be doing it more and more often in my reviews lately if the thought strikes me upon finishing a book, only because it just seems like it would be helpful for readers, and references to well known others is a decent way to do it. Obviously this is all just my opinion... With that said, this story had a very Vampire Diaries (the show), meets Twilight (for grown-ups), meets the Marked series 'feel' for me. HOWEVER, it was incredibly unique in its history and set up; I'm only referring to the 'feel' of the read.

Kelley introduces the vampires in this story as having ties to Biblical figures, and I found that fascinating. In addition, the plot was interesting, and the mystery, suspense and intrigue were well written.

Our heroine begins the book thinking she's going through a massive mid-life crisis and nothing seems to be filling the hole she feels in her soul. While dealing with that and some major health issues that the doctors just can't figure out, her life starts to turn upside down and her mercurial moods are affecting things at work and at home. And then things get really good...

She wakes up in the hospital having fragmented memories of both her past and what happened to get her there, but with the help of her best friend and our hero, Vincent, she starts to regain the life she's lost. Only things aren't quite adding up the way she thinks they should in her head, and the weirdness just keeps multiplying.

I would love to tell you more but I just can't without spoilers, so I can only tell you to take the plunge and read The Descendant. A side note: this book is not a fluffy vampire tale. I found myself angry for most of the story, and would say that Kelley can make a reader tap into a character's feelings betrayal like no other. ;)

LITERAL ADDICTION gives The Descendant 4 Skulls and would recommend it if you're a vampire lover looking for a refreshing spin on the norm.

The Descendant

[Archive] LITERAL ADDICTION's Review of Wicked As They Come

noreply@blogger.com (LITERAL ADDICTION) — Thu, 09 May 2013 18:18:00 +0000

Delilah S. Dawson comes from a long line of Roswell, GA natives. WICKED AS THEY COME is the first in her Blud series for Pocket/S&S, and a creepy paranormal YA, SERVANTS OF THE STORM, will be out with Simon Pulse in 2014. Delilah is a member of the Romance Writers of America and the Georgia Romance Writers. She is also an Associate Editor at www.CoolMomPicks.com and www.CoolMomTech.com, where she is given the more eccentric and geeky products to cover. Delilah lives with her husband, two small children, and two cats in Atlanta. Find out more at www.delilahsdawson.com.

Wicked As They Come, book #1 of the BLUD series

by Delilah S. Dawson

Synopsis:

First in a steampunk-tinged paranormal romance series in which a woman is transported to a world filled with vampires and magic. When nurse Tish Everett forced open the pesky but lovely locket she found at an estate sale, she had no idea she was answering the call of Criminy Stain, from the far off land of Sang. He’d cast a spell for her, but when she’s transported right to him, she’s not so sure she’s ready to be under the spell of another man. (It didn’t go so well last time with controlling, abusive, domineering Jeff.) If only Criminy wasn’t so deliciously rakish….

Half the inhabitants of Sang are Pinkies—human—and the other half are Bludmen, who in Tish’s world would be called vampires. But they don’t mess with any of the bat/coffin/no sunlight nonsense. They’re rather like you and me, just more fabulous, long living, and mostly indestructible. (They're also very good kissers.) But when the evil Mayor of Manchester (formerly Bludchester) redoubles his efforts to rid Sang of the Bludmen once and for all, stealing Tish’s locket in hopes of traveling back to her world himself for reinforcements, Criminy and Tish must battle ghosts, sea monsters, wayward submarines, a secret cabal, and thundering Bludmares to get the locket back and allow Tish to return home…but has she found love with Criminy? Could she stay in Sang forever?

Our Review, by LITERAL ADDICTION's Guest Reviewer - Tanya C:

Wicked as They Come is the first book in the Blud series by Delilah Dawson.

I was instantly drawn into the wonderfully magical world Delilah Dawson has created. I loved the character of Criminy Stain who was like a steampunk version of The Mad Hatter from the classic Alice in Wonderland.

The story itself was very well paced and did not lack action and intrigue at all. The way the two worlds in Wicked as They Come were so intertwined was what really hooked me, and quickly made me a forever fan.

LITERAL ADDICTION's Guest Reviewer gives Wicked As They Come 5 Skulls and would definitely recommend it.

Wicked As They Come

[Archive] LITERAL ADDICTION's Review of Bayou Legend

noreply@blogger.com (LITERAL ADDICTION) — Mon, 06 May 2013 20:06:00 +0000

Janet Breakfield is a paranormal and erotic romance author. A southern girl that loves all things mystical and scary including myth, legend and old horror movies. The smell of leather bound books puts me in a writing mood, and she's a fan of all kinds of music.

Bayou Legend, book #1 of the BAYOU LEGEND series

by Janet Breakfield

Synopsis:

Passion, Voodoo and Curses abound in this thrilling, supernatural story of life in the swamps and bayous of South Louisiana.
The responsibility of being the newest "Treater" rest soley on Emily's shoulders. She has never loved a man until she reunites with her childhood friend, Tanner Guidry. Little does she know that she is his salvation made flesh.
The curse of "Loup Garou" is like a second skin attached to Tanner thanks to Ursulla, the wicked VooDoo witch that cursed his family when she couldn't have his Grandfather years earlier. Now all of the men in Tanner's family carry the curse.
Will Emily's love and magic be enough to save Tanner from the curse and the Witch that wants to destroy him? Will Ursulla's secret be revealed as she tries to destroy Tanner and Emily? Or will her love spell using Tristan to seduce Emily be enough temptation to tear them apart?

Our Review, by LITERAL ADDICTION's Guest Reviewer - Marta C:
Let me start this review by saying I usually read a mix of paranormal romance and urban fantasy so was very pleased to be asked to review this book as it is by a new author for me, and who wouldn't want to be gifted with such an opportunity?

This story is about a girl called Emily who has spent much of her life growing up in the Bayou and learning from her Gran how to be a treater [healer] and upon her eighteenth birthday comes into her powers.These powers include hearing thoughts and having the ability to heal those who need it.

Her Gran also tells her the story of Loup Garou [the werewolf legend] and how it affects a local family which includes Tanner, who unbeknownst to Emily, has always loved her.The curse that effects him has been passed down on the male side of his family by a witch who felt shunned by his grandfather.

Emily feels his pain one night and goes to him. They spend a night of passion which is sensed by Ursula- the witch who cursed Tanner's family. The witch vows to separate the young lovers, and sets events in motion that could prove fatal.

So what did I think? It is a unique approach , as the author swaps from Emily's point of view to Tanner's occasionally, which enables the reader to actually get both of their thoughts and viewpoints. This might irritate some readers, but I found that it added to the story.

Bayou Legend does contain scenes of a sexual nature, but I thought it was a sensual romance between two passionate young people and not hard core erotica. It was romantic without being overly graphic, and I didn't feel as if the author was describing a gynecological procedure, nor any crude terms or childish names.

LITERAL ADDICTION's Guest Reviewer gives the tale a solid 4 skulls and would definitely read more from Ms. Breakfield..Magic, Werewolves and passion definitely worth a read. Recommended!

Bayou Legend

[Archive] LITERAL ADDICTION's Review of Sacred Bayou

noreply@blogger.com (LITERAL ADDICTION) — Mon, 06 May 2013 20:03:00 +0000

Sacred Bayou, book #2 of the BAYOU LEGEND series

by Janet Breakfield

Synopsis:

Just when Emily Bougouis think she has her life and future figured out, all hell breaks loose. Betrayal by the only man she has ever loved is bitter on her tongue as she loses all she holds dear to her heart.
Even though her world is crumbling down around her, she still performs her duty as the "Treater" or healer of the people on the bayou.

The Houmas Indians come to Emily for help to save their
ancient burial grounds. Strange mystical, and frightening forces surround the mounds. Emily has to find her courage, and also a way to stop the destruction coming from a
construction company's demolition plans. By destroying the burial mounds, evil skinwalkers would be able to claim the souls of the dead buried there, denying them entrance to the afterlife. She needs help fighting them and she finds it in the strangest place.

Emily is star struck when she meets Merrick Talbot, who just happens to be the head of the construction company bent on destroying the burial mounds. The handsome stranger has a shadowed past and Emily doesn't trust him. But soon the flames of passion begin to wash away her doubt. The heat between Emily and Merrick is unbelievable, and
she can't help but lose all control around him.
But can she trust him with her life? Can the love and
passion she feels be enough to get her through the biggest heartache she has ever suffered? And will she be able to get revenge on those who stole part of her life away?

She must overcome her fears, and stop the evil destruction at the same time that she is falling in love with Merrick. Life can be a real bitch for a Psychic Healer!

Our Review, by LITERAL ADDICTION's Guest Reviewer - Marta C:

This is the follow up to Bayou Legend, and continues the story of Emily who has the gift of healing and psychic abilities.

She is deeply in love with Tanner and expecting their first child when cruelly betrayed by him and a local Voodoo Priestess. Heart broken and almost without hope, Emily must find a way to carry on with her life and continue to act as a treater( healer) .

Emily Is approached by a tribe of local native Americans to aid them in saving their sacred burial grounds from demolition by a group of developers who have bought the land.They believe that evil Skinwalkers want to steal the souls of their dead ancestors, and they need Emily's to help prevent this.

Having agreed, she visits the site and meets Merrick Talbot who is in charge of the construction and convinces him to listen to the fears of the Houmas tribe. The attraction she feels for him is immediate and confusing, but Emily is a confident woman and unafraid of her own sexuality. The passion lights up the page as the couple become more and more entangled in their heated relationship. Merrick has secrets and can Emily really trust him? Will her feelings be tested yet again? She will have to trust Merrick with her life but can she trust him with her heart?

I thoroughly enjoyed this tale and actually thought that Emily had grown up quite a lot. She is a confident and passionate woman with bags of courage. My only criticism is the length as I do prefer longer tales with passion that build up. That being said, I was eager to turn the pages and find out how Emily's journey would end. Magic, Skinwalkers, Fallen Angels and hot sweaty passion will keep you turning the pages too! I look forward to more from this author.

LITERAL ADDICTION's Guest Reviewer rates this book a very solid four skulls, and actually would have give it five if it were just a bit longer.

Sacred Bayou

[Archive] LITERAL ADDICTION's Review of Dead Letter Day

noreply@blogger.com (LITERAL ADDICTION) — Mon, 06 May 2013 19:58:00 +0000

Eileen Rendahl is the author of the Downtown Press novels Balancing in High Heels and Do Me, Do My Roots, which was nominated for a RITA Award. Her short fiction appears in the New Year's story collection In One Year and Out the Other. She lives near her tight-knit family in California.

Dead Letter Day, Book #3 of the MESSENGER series

by Eileen Rendahl

Synopsis:

Melina Markowitz, messenger for the underworld, delivers the goods for the supernatural beings in our midst—no questions asked. It’s more than a job; it’s a mission. Safety be damned.

Melina’s missing friend, Paul, could just be taking a little werewolf “me time,” but her investigation yields something more sinister. Suspicions first fall on Paul’s wolf-pack rival. But that wouldn’t explain the sudden windstorms rattling Melina’s nerves—or the ominous, shrieking crows that keep appearing.

The clues lead Melina to a mermaid, a damaged and possibly deranged police officer and patterns for Norwegian doilies—finally bringing her to the realization that she may be dealing with the most powerful enemy she has ever faced.

Our Review, by LITERAL ADDICTION's Associate Reviewer - Kathy M:
*Copy received from the Publisher in exchange for an honest review

First off I must confess that I was unfamiliar with Eileen Rendahl’s Messenger series. So I didn’t know what to expect with Dead Letter Day, the third book. I can honestly say that by the second chapter, I knew that I would be ordering the first two books, pronto.

The heroine, Melina, is a messenger for the supernatural beings that live among the unsuspecting mundanes (people with little or no arcane abilities). When her werewolf friend goes missing - and his pack does not seem concerned - Melina, with the help of her boyfriend and friends, goes on the hunt to save him. And nothing, not demonic cows, crazy gods, cranky werewolves and a very unexpected personal development, will stop her.

I really enjoyed this book.

LITERAL ADDICTION's Associate Reviewer fives Dead Letter Day 4 1/2 skulls & is looking forward to more Messenger books.

Dead Letter Day

[Archive] LITERAL ADDICTION's Review of The Golden Age of Death

noreply@blogger.com (LITERAL ADDICTION) — Mon, 06 May 2013 19:53:00 +0000

AMBER BENSON co-wrote and directed the animated web-series, Ghosts of Albion, (with Christopher Golden) for the BBC. The duo then novelized the series in two books for Random House. Her first solo novel, Death's Daughter, was published by Penguin in 2009 with a children's book for Simon and Schuster called, Among The Ghosts, to follow later that year. As an actress, Benson spent three seasons as Tara Maclay on the cult show Buffy the Vampire Slayer. She has also written, produced, and directed three feature films, including her latest, Drones, which she co-directed with Adam Busch and will be released later this year.

The Golden Age of Death, book #5 of the CALLIOPE REAPER-JONES series

by Amber Benson

Synopsis:

Meet Amber Benson's "authentically original creation"(Locus)…

My name is Calliope Reaper-Jones (Callie to my friends). I’m Death’s Daughter and—as of very recently—the (reluctant) head of my father’s company, Death, Inc.

I was gradually learning how to be a businesswoman. Had the power suits and shoes down, though the day to day was slow going. Then I was blindsided by Enemies Unknown and sent off to I-don’t-know-where. Not a good thing.

Now not only must my friends and family be frantic, but without a CEO, Death, Inc., can’t function. With the newly deceased left free to roam the Earth, it’s the zombie apocalypse come true.

I’ve got to get back—for my sake and the sake of, oh, all humanity…

Our Review, by LITERAL ADDICTION's Associate Reviewer - Kathy M:
*Copy received from the Publisher in exchange for an honest review

Callie, the dark and funny protagonist in Amber Benson’s Calliope Reaper-Jones series, just can’t get a break!

Due to the untimely death of her father (murdered), Callie must now run the family business, Death, Inc. and try to find time for romance with her boyfriend Daniel, the former right hand of the devil.

The Golden Age Of Death is a wonderful mix of macabre humor, witty dialogue, horror and hairpin twists and turns. And without giving anything away, I’ve got to say that the ending completely blindsided me. I enjoyed this book very much.

LITERAL ADDICTION's Associate Reviewer gives The Golden Age of Death 4 1/2 skulls.

The Golden Age of Death

[Archive] LITERAL ADDICTION's Review of Agave Kiss

noreply@blogger.com (LITERAL ADDICTION) — Mon, 06 May 2013 19:45:00 +0000

Ann Aguirre is a USA Today bestselling author with a degree in English Literature; before she began writing full time, she was a clown, a clerk, a voice actress, and a savior of stray kittens, not necessarily in that order. She grew up in a yellow house across from a cornfield, but now she lives in sunny Mexico with her husband, children, and various pets. She likes all kinds of books, emo music, action movies and Doctor Who. She writes all kind of fiction in multiple genres, both YA and for adults.

Agave Kiss, book #5 of the CORINE SOLOMON series

by Ann Aguirre

Synopsis:

Chance was gone; he’d sacrificed himself so Shannon and I could escape Sheol. We’d raised him on Shan’s spirit radio, which meant his soul wasn’t wholly destroyed by the demon gate….

Once Corine Solomon only had the touch—the ability to read an object’s past by handling it. Then she inherited her mother’s magick, and that ended up being a hell of a burden. But if Corine can wrestle a demon queen and win, she can bring back her lover Chance after he’s made the ultimate sacrifice. Can’t she? All Corine knows is that she can’t leave Chance behind if there’s anything she can do about it.

But the clock is ticking—and she still has to deal with debt-collecting demons and a maniacal archangel who’s running a recruitment drive. The stakes have never been so high…and this time it’s truly Corine’s last chance to save the love of her life.

Our Review, by LITERAL ADDICTION's Associate Reviewer - Kathy M:
*Copy received from the Publisher in exchange for an honest review

Agave Kiss, Ann Aguirre’s 5th book in her Corine Solomon Novel series, is an action packed, emotional ride that keeps the readers on the edge of their seats.

Corine has a lot to do and only a short amount of time in which to do it. Somehow she must find a way to release a friend from a curse, rescue her guardian angel, and bring her lover back from the dead. Oh, and she has to do it without her magic. Needless to say,Corine has her hands full. And if she can keep herself from getting killed in the process, just maybe she will be able to accomplish it all and find her HEA.

Agave Kiss has a lot of stuff packed into 309 pages. As Corine finds herself overwhelmed, I found myself sometimes also overwhelmed. But despite that fact, I did enjoy this book.

LITERAL ADDICTION's Associate Reviewer gives Agave Kiss 4 skulls.

Agave Kiss

[Archive] LITERAL ADDICTION's Review of Immortal Eclipse

noreply@blogger.com (LITERAL ADDICTION) — Mon, 06 May 2013 19:40:00 +0000

Sherry Soule is the bestselling author of the acclaimed YA Spellbound series. She writes urban fantasy, an odd hybrid of the horror genre that includes elements of mystery, romance, fantasy, and suspense for teens and adults. Sherry lives with her family and one very spoiled black cat in California’s San Francisco Bay Area.

Immortal Eclipse

by Sherry Soule

Synopsis:

MYSTERY, MURDER, and MANOLO BLAHNIK....

A devoted fashionata and practical New Yorker, Skylar Blackwell doesn’t believe in the supernatural—until she inherits Summerwind Mansion. . . .
When her uncle is brutally murdered, and the cops seem uninterested in following up the case, Skylar journeys to California to seek answers. Her search for clues is soon overshadowed by haunting nightmares of a young woman also murdered in the house.

Now the inhabitants of Summerwind are mysteriously dying, leaving no evidence as to how or why, and Skylar finds herself in a deadly race against time to expose the killer—before they strike again.

Armed with only wit and Pradas, Skylar begins questioning the servants, but the growing list of suspects includes the sexy and brooding caretaker, Dorian Delacroix, a man desperately trying to forget his tragic past. And a major distraction for Skylar.

Determined to play detective—instead of the fashion police—and unravel the dark history of the mansion, Skylar is plunged into an otherworldly mystery that not even she can explain away. As the boundaries between reality and dreams blur, Skylar’s greatest challenge is to stay alive long enough to learn the truth.

Our Review, by LITERAL ADDICTION's Guest Reviewer - Cheryl:

I received Immortal Eclipse as an eBook for review on behalf Literal Addiction. I read the blurb and was really looking forward to it but have to admit that I tend to stay away from ghost stories and haunted house stories. But, I honor my obligations so I tucked in yesterday to see what this story had to offer. Skylar is a gifted photographer who has had photos on the cover of some of the best fashion magazines published. She also spends more than her fair share of money on designer shoes and clothes. Her glamorous life takes a turn and she is suddenly without direction. She has received several calls from her recently deceased uncle's attornet to handle his estate which was left to her when her Uncle died recently. She decides it is as good a time as any to go to California and see how the investigation into his death is proceeding and handle his estate.

From the moment she arrives in California she is warned away, harassed, haunted and threatened. Everyone she has met that works at her uncle’s mansion, now her mansion, seems to dislike her. Oddly enough she expected better treatment from those that depended upon her for their livelihood. She finds that it is hard to trust any of them and some openly distrust her though they just met her. That is one of the things that is great about this book, the character development. You have no trouble seeing who the bad guys are but, there is some difficulty determining if those that seem like good guys really are good guys because everyone there has secrets and some of them involve Skylar though she is not aware of the secrets. One of the other things about Immortal Eclipse is the story line. Though ghost story/hauntings are not usually to my taste this one was well told and held my interest. Honestly at times it kind of crept me out which might be why I stay away from them. Skylar has to decide if risking her life is worth determining who killed her uncle since the police have already closed the case as a suicide or going back to New York and trying to rebuild her life. She sticks it out until it is too late and she has no choice but to push on and find out the secrets of her uncle’s home. I will be looking out for more titles by Sherry Soule!

LITERAL ADDICTION's Guest Reviewer gives Immortal Eclipse 4 Skulls.

Immortal Eclipse

[Archive] LITERAL ADDICTION's Review of Edge of Dawn

noreply@blogger.com (LITERAL ADDICTION) — Mon, 06 May 2013 19:36:00 +0000

Lara Adrian As a child, Lara Adrian used to sleep with the covers up around her neck, afraid she might become the midnight prey of deadly vampires. Later on, under the influence of Bram Stoker and Anne Rice, she had to wonder if her fear wasn't actually something else: a secret desire to walk in a darker world, to live a dangerous and sensual dream with a man of seductive, preternatural power. It is that twining of fear and desire that fuels Lara's own fantasies today, and the idea that she explores in her New York Times bestselling Midnight Breed series of vampire romance novels from Bantam Dell Books.

With an ancestry stretching back to the Mayflower and the court of King Henry VIII, Lara Adrian lives with her husband in coastal New England, surrounded by centuries-old graveyards, hip urban comforts, and the endless inspiration of the broody Atlantic Ocean.

Edge of Dawn, book #11 of the MIDNIGHT BREED series

by Lara Adrian

Synopsis:

In this pulse-pounding and thrillingly sensual novel, New York Timesbestselling author Lara Adrian returns to the mesmerizing world of the Midnight Breed, following new characters into a dark future where an uneasy peace can unravel into war—and a great betrayal can mask an all-consuming love.

Twenty years after the terror of First Dawn—when mankind learned that vampires lived secretly among them—the threat of violence reigns as the two species struggle to coexist. The only group preserving the fragile harmony is the Order, an elite cadre of Breed warriors dedicated to protecting humans and vampires alike. And in this precarious world of torn loyalties and shattered trust, Mira, a fiery squad captain, finds that every fight bears an intensely personal cost.

Raised among the Order, Mira has always believed in the warrior’s code of swift—and even lethal—justice. But the one thing she desires more than the Order’s hard-won acceptance is Kellan Archer, a sexy but troubled Breed fighter. In love with him since childhood, Mira once broke through his tough exterior during an unexpected night of rapture, but the next day he mysteriously disappeared, never to return.

Kellan didn’t think he would ever see Mira again—or have to confront the truth of why he left. After abandoning the Order years ago, he now leads a band of human rebels intent on carrying out their own vigilante rule of law. Yet a high-profile kidnapping assignment brings him face-to-face with the past he sought to avoid, and the striking woman he has tried desperately to forget. And as tensions mount and the risk of bloodshed grows, Kellan and Mira must take sides—between the competing missions that dominate their lives, and the electrifying passion that claims their hearts.

Our Review, by LITERAL ADDICTION's Pack Alpha - Michelle L. Olson:
*ARC received from NetGalley

MIDNIGHT BREED is one of my very favorite Paranormal Romance series and I auto-pre-order each new release. After finishing Sterling's book and hearing that Mira's book was next, I was both excited and a bit scared... I just wasn't sure how a spin-off would sit with me, and yet I wasn't ready to leave the world by any stretch of the imagination either. When I got the ARC from NetGalley and finally had a chance to sit down with it I breathed a sigh of relief, and shouldn't have been worried at all in the first place. Not only did Lara deliver an amazing book, Edge of Dawn is quite possibly my favorite Breed novel to date. It was wonderful!

Having known Mira since Renata brought her to the Compound as a little girl, seeing her all grown up as the captain of one of the Order's main fighting groups brought both a sense of wonder and pride. Not only is she a Breedmate, and therefore human, not Breed, but she's female as well and being that highly ranked is just something that doesn't happen.

The interim events with Kellan were a bit of a surprise. I sort of had a feeling that Mira might end up with him despite their age difference back in the earlier books, but I was very shocked at the dark turn Lara took with the story and how she unveiled and unraveled it all in Edge of Dawn. It was gripping, emotional, frustrating, maddening, and romantic all at the same time.

I liked how the world was changed in this book as well - humans know about the breed now, wars have been waged because of it and lives on all sides have been lost, there is a tentative kind of truce amongst the many factions and yet, as usual, an evil lurks, threatening to cause even more upheaval. All of the changes allowed for me as a diehard MIDNIGHT BREED fan to have something a little bit different, but still have some closure and a bit of a fix with the reappearance and new positions of my favorites as well.

I really enjoyed the heavier, darker, more intense MIDNIGHT BREED and cannot wait to see where Lara takes us with this new generation and their fight against the new big bad!

LITERAL ADDICTION gives Edge of Dawn 5 Skulls.

Edge of Dawn

[Archive] LITERAL ADDICTION's Review of Mystically Bound

noreply@blogger.com (LITERAL ADDICTION) — Mon, 06 May 2013 19:33:00 +0000

Stacey Kennedy loves the paranormal genre and loves a series even more! Nothing can hook her more than adventure and one that keeps on going.
Her novels are lighthearted fantasy, heart squeezing, thigh-clenching romance, and even a good chuckle every new and again.
She’s not a planner, she doesn’t write with a set idea because no matter what she plans, the characters’ voices always come through and demand that she listen to them.
Her journey as a writer began when she was a teen and wrote poetry, which still to this day she pulls out for a good laugh. Later, she tried a couple of times to put together a book with no luck until she was exposed to the paranormal world and the ideas came quickly.
She’s a thirty one year old wife, mom, house cleaner, cook, teacher, play-doh extraordinaire, swing pusher, toddler chaster after – who loves outdoors, curling up with the latest flick and if she’s not plugging away at a new novel, she’s not her nose buried deep in a good book.

Mystically Bound, Book #3 of the FROSTBITE series

by Stacey Kennedy

Synopsis:

Tess Jennings’ life is in chaos. Her ghost lover, Kipp McGowen, vanished into the Netherworld without a trace. Now, she finds herself in White Castle, Louisiana, surrounded by the Animus—a secret society of the supernaturally gifted. To make matters
worse, they present her with an offer she cannot refuse.

If she helps solve the murder of their Grand Master, they will assist her in saving Kipp. Soon, Tess will land herself lost in another mystery she doesn’t want. But she will have to trust her enemies to gain what she most desires—a life with Kipp.

Only problem? People are hiding secrets and dark pasts. Tess will soon discover that nothing is as it seems. She might want to save Kipp from his ghostly state, but someone has decided it’s better for her to join him…

Our Review, by LITERAL ADDICTION'S Pack Alpha - Michelle L Olson:

It's a well known fact that I am a Stacey Kennedy groupie and that I love the FROSTBITE series. So, of course I had this book pre-ordered, and jumped on it immediately.

Now when I heard that the final installment of Frostbite ended up being split into two books, I figured that Stacey might leave us with a cliffhanger, but JUST as she got my heart rate fluttering, there were no more pages to be had...

I wanted to rant, but the book was a great set up & first 1/2, and just left me wanting more, so I can't be too upset. ;-)

It's a bit different than the first three books of the series, and I think that's because it was this massive build up for the final grand finale. It doesn't have quite the amount of character interaction that we got in the first several installments, but the mystery is intense, insane and incredible!

Tess is stuck between a rock and a hard place in this release. She remains her feisty stubborn, independent self, but is basically bullied into helping the Animus - a secret society of supernaturals - solve the murder of their leader by trying to make contact with his ghost and therefore find out who murdered him, in exchange for them helping her find Kipp. Like all things in Tess's life thus far though, it's not easy, and nothing goes according to plan.

There are a bunch of awesome surprises in this book, some long awaited (and utterly enjoyable) romantic moments, some fabulous character evolution, and lots and lots of dark mystery, intrigue, suspense and action.

I absolutely cannot wait for the final book of the series to see how Stacey wraps it all up. FROSTBITE is incredible, and I still completely stand by my suggestion that everyone should read this! it's not just a paranormal romance. It's not just a romantic suspense. It's not just a ghost story.... it's all of the above and more, and each and every book of the saga will make you want to call in sick to work to finish reading them. ;-)

LITERAL ADDICTION gives Mystically Bound 4 Skulls and hopes that you will all check out it and its predecessors ASAP.

Mystically Bound

[Archive] LITERAL ADDICTION's Review of Mated to the Devil

noreply@blogger.com (LITERAL ADDICTION) — Mon, 06 May 2013 19:29:00 +0000

Hello, my name is Eve Langlais. I'm a stay at home mom who works as a webmistress/customer service rep. In between juggling my three kids, hubby, and housework, I write romance--usually with werewolves or aliens lol.

Born in British Columbia, as a military brat, I have lived a little bit everywhere--Quebec, New Brunswick, Labrador, Virginia (USA) and finally, Ontario. My family and I currently live just outside Ottawa.

I love to write, and while I don't always know what my mind is going to come up with next, I can promise it will be fun, probably humorous and most of all romantic, because I love a HEA.

Thanks so much for coming by and checking me out. If you'd like to know more, read some excerpts or find out what's coming next, then please visit me at www.EveLanglais.com

Mated to the Devil

by Eve Langlais

Synopsis:

Not all pleasures are a sin...

Mina wants to put her seduction by a golden-eyed devil behind her, but the birth of her son, Jacques, renders that impossible. She tries to forget the only man who ever roused her passion, but when she notices her son exhibiting strange behavior—and less-than-human characteristics—she must face her past and learn to trust, and love, again.

Howling drunk, the one thing Remy clearly remembers is seducing Mina. A pity he didn’t think to get her address, especially since he marks her as his mate. When she disappears, he’s got plenty of time to regret, but he doesn’t get a chance to atone until she comes back into his life with an unexpected surprise.

Thrust into the role of father, Remy works to bond with his son while gaining forgiveness. But will he get the chance to truly make Mina his mate before danger threatens their fragile happiness?

Our Review, by LITERAL ADDICTION's Pack Alpha - Michelle L. Olson:

Oh, it has been much too long since I read an Eve Langlais book. I had forgotten how incredible they are. What an amazing story!!

Our heroine, Mina, ends up at a frat party with her cousins and quickly feels out of place. She's from an incredibly religious household, and it's hard for her to let go of the conditioning. But after getting a glimpse of a guy that turns her inside out, she's a bit confused.

Our hero, Remy, wasn't looking for his mate, but after catching one whiff of her his instincts kick in - both the dark and the light.

The circumstances of their eventual meeting were very dark, and led to some very intense moments - opposites attract, sparks flew, and the emotions made things even sexier. The circumstances following their encounter, however, were some of the most heart-felt I have read in a book in awhile and I was absolutely hooked from beginning to end.

I would love to tell you more, but I refuse to spoil it. You simply must read it yourself! Let me just say that Mina and Remy together are amazing - each providing what the other is missing and completing each other and their family on a way that neither had even hoped for.

LITERAL ADDICTION gives Mated to the Devil an easy 5 Skulls and can say it was one of the most gripping dark PNR books I have read in a good long while. I highly recommend it to Paranormal Romance readers and Eve Langlais fans far and wide!

Mated to the Devil