[Archive] LITERAL ADDICTION's Review of Demonically Tempted

 

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.

 

Demonically Tempted, Book #2 of the Frostbite series

Author: Stacey Kennedy

 

Synopsis:  Tess Jennings, now a member of the Memphis Police Department, is on her first cold case. The suspected suicide of Lizbeth Knapp ten years ago isn’t a theory her family accepts—they believe she was murdered.

But the case is only one of Tess’s worries. Ghosts are talking, and word of her abilities rapidly spreads. A dark ghost is terrifying the spirits of Memphis, and she must force the entity to cross over.

Tess doesn’t have to do this alone. Not only does she have her ghost-lover, Kipp McGowen, but the department has brought in a medium. Dane Wolfe might answer all her questions, but he also brings a world of trouble. Will Tess finally have all she’s ever wanted, or will everything she’s vowed to protect be ripped away?

 

Our Review [by Michelle L. Olson – LITERAL ADDICTION’s Pack Alpha]:

If you peek back at my review for Supernaturally Kissed (FROSTBITE Book #1) you'll see how much I loved it. The follow-up did not disappoint. It's another knock out hit by Miss Kennedy!

I had a theory from the beginning of Supernaturally Kissed and I was glad to see that I was right. The storyline played itself out in the most delicious way at the end of Demonically Tempted, and it had me verbalizing my delight. I can't go into details though because I don't want to ruin it for anyone.

Tess is just beginning her new life as the newest member of the Memphis PD. In this installment, things get shaken up (and her confidences are tested) when the Cold Case they're investigating isn't coughing up any ghosts for Tess to interview and/or help. To make matters worse, while trying to help her with her gifts, the department brings in a medium who does little but irritate Tess and make her doubt herself and her relationship with Kipp even more.

Demonically Tempted has a bit more 'magic and mayhem' than Supernaturally Kissed did, and that was just fine by me. I loved every second of it, and devoured the book in 1 sitting, wishing only that there were more to be had.

There were some interesting character developments in Demonically Tempted as well. We got to see a more vulnerable side to the normally cocky and confident Kipp, and an insecure side to Tess that wasn't really there in Supernaturally Kissed where it was very evident that she didn't care what anyone thought when all was said and done.

In true Stacey Kennedy fashion the romance was hot and steamy, even if it was just 'ghost sex'. Maybe that made it even more hot and steamy!??

The storyline as a whole was fabulous. There were twists and turns, hurdles to overcome, beautifully placed antagonists, and even a few unlikely allies in places.

I simply adore this series and cannot wait to see what Stacey has in store for us in the next installment!

DEMONICALLY TEMPTED: 

 

 

[Archive] LITERAL ADDICTION's Review of Savage Awakening

 

J.D Tyler is an award-winning, multi-published author who writes for New American Library under three pseudonyms. Whether this is due to an overdose of ambition or a multiple personality affliction, she’ll never tell.

J.D. writes dark, sexy paranormal romance and has a huge thing for shifters, vampires, the Fae, and just about everything else that goes bump and grind in the night. She can’t get enough of those dangerous supernatural heroes, and the fun of creating her own was just too much temptation to resist… so she didn’t. J.D. doesn’t do self-denial.

When she isn’t writing, J.D.’s idea of a good time certainly isn’t cleaning house (sniff), bungee jumping (not in this lifetime, or the next), or camping (her idea of “roughing it” is a slow bellboy). She enjoys reading, being pampered like the diva she is, and spending time with her awesome family. She lives in Texas with her husband and two teenagers.

 
Savage Awakening, Book 2 of the Alpha Pack series

Author:  J.D Tyler

Synopsis:  A group of former Navy SEALS, the Alpha Pack is a top-secret team of wolf shifters with Psy powers combating the greatest dangers in the world. But sometime those dangers are more intimate than they bargained for…

After a mission goes wrong, Aric Savage is taken prisoner. Half-dead and despairing, he makes a stunning discovery: his Pack mate Micah Chase, who was reported dead, is a fellow captive. When the Alpha team goes into full-rescue mode, accompanying them is an absolute stunner with sable hair—and a spine of solid steel.

LAPD officer and Psy Dreamwalker Rowan Chase has one priority: her brother Micah’s recovery. Still, she can’t help but be drawn to Aric, the ruggedly handsome wolf shifter who pleasures her as no man ever has—however fleeting their affair is destined to be. But when Aric’s life is endangered, Rowan must ask herself what she’s willing to sacrifice in the name of love, for the man fated to be her Bondmate.
Our Review [by LITERAL ADDICTION’s Pack Alpha - Michelle L Olson]: 

I thoroughly enjoyed Primal Law and was incredibly excited for the release of Savage Awakening.  The day it arrived on my Kindle I settled in for the ride…

Save Awakening picks up where Primal Law left off, with Aric Savage kidnapped and held hostage by Orson Chappell and the NewLife mad scientists along with another missing team member, Micah Chase, who disappeared and was originally presumed dead six months earlier.

Micah’s sister Rowan, an officer with the LAPD, continues to search for her brother believing in her heart that if he were dead, she’d know.  When she gets a tip about a hidden facility in the Shoshone that may lead to news of her brother she heads out for answers.  What she encounters is more than she ever bargained for, however. 

Thrown into a whole new world full of things she only thought were nightmares, but knowing that seeing is believing, Rowan joins the Alpha Pack to find and rescue not only her brother but their missing Pack brother, Aric. 

When a lead finally pans out and they rescue Aric and Micah, the true adventures begin…

Aric is damaged in Savage Awakening.  Not only physically, but mentally as well -  torn between hating Jaxon for his part in his ultimate kidnapping and torture and his own actions prior to that which led to the Event and the traumatic experiences beforehand.  The snarky red wolf that we came to know and love in Primal Law is back, though he’s continually finding himself hiding behind his snark as a coping mechanism, and when yet another twist is thrown into his mix in the form of a mate he never thought he’d meet, he almost takes the easy way out.  Arik has a huge heart and high insecurities and they get him into major trouble.  He makes poor decisions thinking that it’s the best for everyone, when in reality; it’s not good for anyone. 

Rowan is Aric’s perfect counterpart.  She’s tough and witty like he is, but she also has a huge heart and puts everyone before herself; even when it puts her own hide in danger.

Aric and Rowan’s story is somewhat predictable, following very closely the exact path that Jax took with Kira in Primal Law, but it’s still very enjoyable and the rest of the story in Savage Awakening is gripping.

 Kalen’s story unfolds further, as it’s revealed who the ‘Big Bad’ is that is after him.  We learn more about the mysterious Hammer, a secret is revealed about A.J, and Nick is yet again tortured by his prescient visions and his inability to interfere with fate. 

Sariel plays a large part in Savage Awakening as well and while I already loved him in Primal Law, I adore him now and cannot wait to find out more about him and have him get more and more involved with the Alpha Pack and their mates. 

LITERAL ADDICTION gives this book 4 Skulls and would recommend it to everyone who loved Primal Law and Black Magic, as well as Paranormal Romance, Urban Fantasy, Magick and Shifter lovers far and wide. 

Savage Awakening isn’t as fast paced, action packed and chock-full of ‘stuff’ as Primal Law was, but it’s a captivating and enjoyable read and a nice addition to the series.

Bring on Kalen’s book J.D!  After the ending of Savage Awakening and the events that took place in Black Magic, I CANNOT wait to find out how you deal with all of the drama.  I am beyond excited!  :)

Savage Awakening:  

 

[Archive] LITERAL ADDICTION's Review of Great Escapes - Valentine's Day

Lynda K Scott & Linda Wisdom  Lynda’s stories started out as sort of fan fiction loosely based on the old Star Trek series, but with new exciting characters.  She’d entertain her girlfriends with those stores and, once, on a class trip, the guys and gals took the pages and acted out the story.  Moving on to college and adult life Lynda didn’t leave those things behind.  She kept writing and has enjoyed meeting each of her characters and learning about them (and from them) along the way. 

Linda Wisdom is a multi-published author since 1979 and now writes paranormal romance that she calls ‘witch lit’. 

Great Escapes - Valentine’s Day, Book #1 of the Interactive Erotica series

Authors:  Lynda K. Scott & Linda Wisdom

Synopsis:  Great Escapes, by best-seller Linda Wisdom and Lynda K. Scott, is a new personalized erotica series centered on the guests of a quiet B&B in rural Virginia.

The heartbroken and lovelorn come to Great Escapes B&B in search of a relaxing getaway, only to embark on a weekend of sexual self-discovery, courtesy of the inn’s resident ghosts, who bring to life each guest’s deepest desires.

Just as the ghosts transform to meet the needs of each guest, Great Escapes leverages the Kindle platform to deliver what each reader wants. Do you like your erotica steamy or romantic? Your hero to have blue or brown eyes? Anonymously fill out your preferences, and we’ll deliver the best version of hundreds of combinations prepared by the authors.

In Great Escapes: Valentine’s Day, Rose’s best friend gives her a weekend stay, where an invisible lover helps her to rediscover her sexuality. But will she open her eyes enough to see who is right next door?
Our Review [by Michelle L. Olson – LITERAL ADDICTION’s Pack Alpha]:

Those of us bibliophiles old enough to remember probably FONDLY remember the Bantam Books Choose Your Own adventure series, yes!?  Where we as the reader faced two or three options in each section, each of which led to more options and then to one of about 40 endings thus creating about 20 stories in one!?  Well, Great Escapes is like that, only with not as many options and definitely not made for 10-14 year olds! 

In this short first installment of Lynda and Linda’s new Interactive Paranormal Erotica series for Kindle, two individuals take a vacation to a rural Virginia Bed and Breakfast (solo, and on Valentine’s Day), to get away from their problems and try and forget about their recent mishaps in love. 

While trying to relax, each of them encounters a ghost of the B&B whose sole purpose is their pleasure.  Unabashed, they take advantage of these mystery lovers until real life intervenes and they find what they’ve really been searching for…

As the book begins, the reader has the option to customize.  You can choose preset options (which I tried and are just fine) or you can do advanced customization and choose character hair and eye color, body type, accent, ‘type (using well known actors as templates)’, etc, as well as the level of eroticism in your read. 

I originally started out with the level set to “Steamy”, and it was hot.  I then dialed it back to “Romantic” for a bit and was enjoying the sweet yet sexy scenes.  After a little longer I turned it back up to “Steamy” and enjoyed the climactic conclusion. 

I absolutely love this concept!  I think it’s brilliant and incredibly enjoyable for Kindle readers such as me who long to switch it up every now and again.  My only complaint was that there wasn’t more.  Great Escapes – Valentine’s Day is pretty short, and even after changing customizations and re-reading I still found myself wishing that there were a minimum of 2 more couples to ‘play’ with. J

For concept alone LITERAL ADDICTION gives Great Escapes 4 Skulls.  I can’t wait to see what Lynda and Linda have in store for us next in Great Escapes and I hope that next time I can play even longer.

Great Escapes:

[Archive] LITERAL ADDICTION's Review of The Thirteenth Sacrifice

 

Debbie Viguie is the New York Times Bestselling author of over a dozen novels including the Wicked series and the new Crusade series co-authored with Nancy Holder.  Much of Debbie’s writing has a dark edge to it, including her retold fairy tales, her latest being Violet Eyes, a retelling of The Princess and the Pea.  In addition to her epic dark fantasy work Debbie also writes thrillers including The Psalm 23 Mysteries and the upcoming Kiss trilogy.  When Debbie isn’t busy writing she enjoys spending time with her husband, Scott, visiting theme parks.  They live in Florida with their cat, Shrödinger.

The Thirteenth Sacrifice, Book #1 of the Witch Hunt series

Author:  Debbie Viguie

Synopsis:  When young women start dying, Boston cop Samantha Ryan is the perfect person to investigate, for only she knows what the archais symbol carved into their flesh means. The last in a long line of ruthless witches, she grew up in a coven seduced by power and greed. And now she's sure that bad witches have returned to Salem. Reluctantly, Samantha goes undercover-into a town obsessed with black magic, into her terrifying past, and into the dark, newly awakened heart of evil.
Our Review [by Michelle L. Olson – LITERAL ADDICTION’s Pack Alpha]:

I was sent this book by the publisher to review.  When it arrived in the mail unexpected I wasn’t sure what to think until I read the synopsis on the back cover and was immediately interested.  I actually even bumped it up in my To Be Read queue (which is very unlike me) and settled in on a Saturday afternoon to see what it was all about.  In one sitting I had devoured the 368 pages and wanted more.  I was very glad I had taken a chance and went against my normal processes to read it.  It was an incredible story, and for a reader like me who thoroughly enjoys and seeks out meshing of sub-genres, this was truly an incredible find! 

Samantha is an amazing character.  She’s a strong, sassy, reinvented woman with a past she’s trying hard to forget and a promising path to the future.  When a serial killer goes on a rampage, as a Boston police officer, Samantha is naturally called in to investigate.  When she discovers that there’s a definite pattern to the killings, and recognizes the symbol that’s been carved into the victims’ necks, she knows that she needs to stop the people responsible no matter the fall out.  After struggling with the decision and deciding that she needs to ‘take one for the team’ so to speak and do what’s best for the greater good, she comes clean on a secret that she’s kept from almost everyone she currently associates with (and pays for it dearly in some cases) and embarks on a dangerous journey with the attitude – May the best witch win. 

Returning to Salem, her city of birth and the city that houses so many terrible childhood memories for her – several of which were so awful her mind repressed them as a coping mechanism – she reinvents herself yet again to be the adult product of the girl she was back then and begins her lie to try and draw out the bad guys (the bad guys being a new evil coven of witches who are dabbling in the darkest of the black arts and using Samantha’s previous family and coven as their stepping stone). 

While there, she meets Anthony.  Anthony is a young man running an Occult Museum and driven by the need to get vengeance on those who murdered his mother and avenge her death.  He and Samantha have instant chemistry, but seeing as she is exactly what he has sworn to hate and destroy, and he is a constant reminder of everything she wants to forget, it’s definitely not a match made in heaven.  Regardless, and despite the conflicts the two of them encounter along the way, they find a way to work together to try and bring down this rogue coven of evil witches and stop the murders.   

One of the things that appealed to me most about this book was that it wasn’t easy to classify.  It’s a murder mystery with urban fantasy, horror-thriller, and even a few paranormal romance aspects and that’s precisely why I fell in love with it.  It was dark and dangerous and incredibly thrilling with tons of action, more intrigue than I knew what to do with, surprises around every corner, and psychological and theological undertones that made me as a reader think, which just immersed me into the story even further. 

The Thirteenth Sacrifice was exactly my type of book and I am so incredibly happy that the Publisher decided to mail me a copy.  I absolutely cannot wait for the next book in the Witch Hunt series and I’m excited to check out more of Debbie’s work to see if the rest of her backlist is anything like this.  If it is, I may have just found myself a new author to add to my list of favorites.  As it stands, I definitely found a book to add to my “Best New Book Discoveries of the Year” list.

LITERAL ADDICTION gives The Thirteenth Sacrifice 5 Skulls and would recommend it to Dark Urban Fantasy, Urban Fantasy, Horror-Thriller, and even Murder-Mystery lovers if you don’t mind a bit of paranormal thrown in to your whoedoneit story.  This is definitely a book to check out!

The Thirteenth Sacrifice: