[Archive] LITERAL ADDICTION's Review of Nexus

C.L Parker is a mother of three living near Louisville, Kentucky. Born in Los Angeles, California, her parents decided to move back to their native town just two weeks after her birth. There, Parker grew up with her three sisters, and they remain inseparable to this day.

After graduation, she enlisted in the United States Navy and was stationed at the NorfolkNaval Station in Norfolk, Virginia where she served a two year enlistment. Due to a family tragedy at the time, she chose to return home to Kentucky instead of re-enlisting.

Parker eventually ventured into the world of writing. An outlet for her overactive imagination, it quickly grew into a passion that could not be ignored. Having a fascination for the paranormal, it didn’t take long to decide what type of book she would really love to write. She went to work on her first novel intended for publication, Supernova. There are plans to write two additional books creating the Supernova Saga.

Once the Supernova Saga is complete, she will start a series of seven books, which will eventually spin-off into another series. All of these will be in the paranormal romance genre.

Parker’s reality is that she is easily lost to a world of fantasy, driven to bring her characters to life if only in the pages of a book, for their story is one that must be told.


Nexus, Book #3 of the Supernova Saga
Author: C.L Parker

Synopsis:

Synopsis: Kerrigan Cruz and Dominic Grayson have fulfilled their destiny, clearing the way for a new Guardian of the Light to emerge. The product of her parents’ mixed bloodlines, Victoria Milena Cruz-Grayson must defend the world as the only Guardian of Mankind in existence.

With the weight of the world on her shoulders, Tori must find a way to keep it from falling before the gravity of her existence sends her crashing to her knees and mankind along with her. The real war is inside her psyche; good versus evil in a battle between Light and Dark. But she is not alone in her quest.

The Guardian of the Guardian, Dante is destined to fight by her side. With an arsenal of wicked charm, seduction, and the ability to ignite a raging inferno, his allure is powerful. Will it be enough to convince Tori to choose him?

Coming between them is a man whose existence is confined to her dreams. The only friend Tori has ever known, a man she has grown to love over her short eighteen years. She doesn’t know his name, or why he’s there, but she can’t deny the feelings she has for him. There’s only one problem; when he leaves, her dreams become nightmares plagued by demonic beings hellbent on viciously murdering her loved ones. Over and over again.

Two men, both pledging their undying love and unyielding loyalty, but one is not at all what he seems.

Torn between her lifelong friend and the man destined to stand by her side, the Guardian of Mankind must choose her path. The fate of the world depends on her getting it right. But how can she choose when she doesn’t really know who she is to begin with?Nexus: There is one truth . . . Everything happens for a reason.


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

I had the extreme pleasure of receiving an ARC of Nexus from the Publishing House and read it while I was out of town. I found myself finding reasons why I needed to get back to the hotel room early just so I could continue reading. :)

Nexus, the 3rd and final installment of the SUPERNOVA SAGA was an incredible read. It was highly evident how much heart and soul C.L poured into this book, and having read and thoroughy enjoyed Supernova and Cataclysm before this, it was inspiring to see how much C.L has grown as a writer from book #1 to book #3 (don't take that wrong, the first 2 were incredible, but this last one was simply amazing).

Taking place 21 years i the future following the conclusion of Cataclysm, book #3 focuses on Tori and Dante, though we still get a lot of play from our favorites - Dominic, Kerrigan, Gabe, Colton and Drew.

Nexus is a dark and beautifully spell-binding read that had me laughing, crying, and literally dropping my jaw in amazement. While Supernova and Cataclysm were gripping and sexy, Nexus grabs a hold and doesn't let go, and has knee weakening romance to get anyone's heart pumping and the temperature in the room rising.

I simply adore this series, and recommend that everyone read it! The SUPERNOVA SAGA is a unique take on the paranormal and has characters that will become your favorites for years to come. I am super sad to see the series end, but C.L wrapped it up beautifully and ended with a bang!

LITERAL ADDICTION gives Nexus a well deserved 5 Skulls. Way to go C.L!! I give you a standing "O". ;-)


Nexus

 

[Archive] LITERAL ADDICTION's Review of Legacy of the Witch

 

 

Maggie Shayne:  It was a sleepless night spent caring for a sick baby that jump-started New York Times Bestselling Author Maggie Shayne's writing career.

A voracious reader and prolific writer from childhood, Maggie found herself without a book to read while coddling the colicky child.  So instead she began spinning a tale of her own, creating a plotline that evolved in her thoughts until, a few days later, she sat down and wrote the story out in longhand.

Now the author of more than forty novels, ranging from stories about Witches, vampires, psychics and ghosts, to bone chilling, edge-of-your-seat romantic suspense and beyond. The genres she has mastered include women’s fiction, category romance, romantic suspense, and paranormal fiction. Maggie has honed her lyrical prose and made a name for herself on the New York Times, USA Today, Amazon.com, B.Dalton, Booksense, Ingram’s, Barnes and Noble, and Waldenbooks (where she reached #1) bestseller lists.

Maggie is the winner of numerous awards, including two Romantic Times Bookclub Career Achievement Awards, the National Readers Choice Award, and the coveted RITA Award, for which she was nominated twelve times before finally winning.

She has also written for CBS daytime dramas, Guiding Light and As the World Turns. One of Maggie’s novels, Eternity, has been optioned for film.


Legacy of the Witch, Book #.5 of THE PORTAL series
Author: Maggie Shayne

Synopsis:

"Once upon a time, there lived three witches…"

As a child, Amarrah loved her grandmother’s stories of three witches who were members of the king’s harem—but they were more than just stories. Amarrah knew she had been there with them…and now their legacy, along with an ancient box that once belonged to them, lies in her hands.

Charged with keeping the box safe, Amarrah is heartbroken when it is stolen from her while she moves to America. Years later, she is shocked to see it on TV and is determined to get it back. Tracking the artifact leads her to Sergeant Harrison Brockson, a handsome soldier who stirs memories of a man she knew centuries ago in ancient Babylon. Is Harrison the key to finding the box—or could he be her destiny?

Prequel novella to Maggie Shayne’s exciting trilogy, "The Portal"

Our Review [by LITERAL ADDICTION’s Pack Alpha – Michelle L Olson]:
Even though this is only a novella, in true Maggie Shayne fashion she hooks the reader from the first page and doesn't let go!

Action, adventure, romance, and the most beautiful segue into the 1st full length novel of THE PORTAL series, Mark of the Witch!

I thoroughly enjoyed Legacy of the Witch and am confident that everyone else will as well.
LITERAL ADDICTION gives Legacy of the Witch a well deserved 5 Skulls and would highly recommend those who are excited for THE PORTAL series to accept the gift that Maggie is giving to you all and read it. :) It's simply beautiful...


Legacy of the Witch

[Archive] LITERAL ADDICTION's Review of Precinct 13

 

Tate Hallaway, a Scorpio with a Leo Rising, is an amateur astrologer and practicing Witch.  Tate has been a fan of vampire fiction since she first read Poppy Z. Brite in high school.  Her first short fiction acceptance was to a vampire 'zine called Nocturnal Ecstacy Vampire Coven.  Tate lives in Saint Paul, Minnesota with three black cats.

Precinct 13

Author: Tate HallawaySynopsis:
Recent college grad Alex Conner is thrilled to have landed a job as the Hughes County coroner/medical examiner in Pierre, South Dakota. But when her first day on the job ends with a missing corpse, Alex starts to wonder if she would have been better off collecting unemployment...

When the cops made some cryptic comments about being careful with the body they brought in, Alex just thought the boys in blue were messing with her. That is, until something freaky happens that no amount of med school could have prepared her for. By the time Alex gets herself together, the body has disappeared and the other residents of the morgue start talking her ear off.

After working up the courage to report the missing body, Alex is transferred to the mysterious Precinct 13 where she discovers that her new co-workers—including a cute technomage named Jack—are paranormals just like her. Now, Alex is being encouraged to use her ability to speak to the dead to solve crimes. And despite being in the middle of nowhere, Hughes County sure does have a lot of paranormal activity…


Our Review [by Michelle L. Olson – LITERAL ADDICTION’s Pack Alpha]:
I’m from a small town in Wisconsin (very close to where Tate bases her other series) and my beau is from a small town in South Dakota and has family in Pierre. When I saw that the story was based in Pierre it was just one more reason for me to want to read it after being lucky enough to receive an ARC from the Publisher.

Upon completion of Precinct 13, my exact words were “An absolute breath of fresh air! As a paranormal junkie it is so hard to find truly new material these days & this book surprised me from the first page to the last. :) I can't wait to see what's up next for Alex, Val, Jack, Jones, Stone, Precinct 13 & the rest of the ordinarium in Pierre.”

As stated, Precinct 13 is a new and exciting Urban Fantasy - a unique spin on magic that leans more towards the mystery side of things. There is a lot of dark humor, but it’s lighthearted in its own way and I found myself chuckling numerous times throughout the story. Tate also writes in such a way that you feel very much a part of the story with Alex, the leading lady. As things are uncovered for her, they’re uncovered for the reader as well and I thoroughly enjoyed that about Precinct 13.

LITERAL ADDICTION gives Precinct 13 4 Skulls and would recommend it highly. I can’t wait to see what Tate brings us with the continuation of the series!

Precinct 13

 

 

[Archive] LITERAL ADDICTION's Review of Blood & Silver

 

James R. Tuck is the author of the Deacon Chalk: Occult Bounty Hunter series.

He writes DARK URBAN FANTASY. It is gritty, it is violent, it is bloody, it is DARK. The monsters are monstrous and they do Very Bad Things. The good guys are Big Damn Heroes.
He writes the ultimate thrill ride in the form of a book, just for us. He wants us turning those pages as fast as we can while precariously balanced on the edge of our seats.


Blood and Silver, Deacon Chalk Occult Bounty Hunter Book #2
Author: James R. Tuck
Synopsis:

Deacon Chalk normally has no trouble telling innocent victims from real monsters. So protecting an abused pregnant were-dog is a no-brainer...until a vicious lycanthrope leader and his brotherhood target Deacon, other shape-shifters, and any humans in their way. Suddenly, Deacon is outnumbered, outgunned, and unsure who - or what - to trust. The only edge he has left is a weapon hungry for his soul and his most savage impulses. And using it will exact a price even this hell-raising hunter fears to pay...

Our Review [by Michelle L. Olson – LITERAL ADDICTION’s Pack Alpha]:
After reading - and thoroughly enjoying- Blood and Bullets, I immediately dove into Blood and Silver, the 2nd full book of the Deacon Chalk, Occult Bounty Hunter series.

Following the hell Deacon and gang went through in Blood and Bullets, I was excited to see where James would take us with book #2. What we ended up with is a high octane shoot 'em up action thriller with feeling.

I KNOW there are those of you out there that hesitate to read urban fantasy and paranormal romance by male authors... Deacon is a guys' guy and wonderfully written by James. In addition there are some romantic moments in this book that I re-read just for the sheer beauty and poetry of the prose. I loved the way James set the stage and wove the scenes without really coming out and saying what was going on, there's just something to be said for subtlety and allowing the power of your imagination to do the work guided by the script of fabulous writing.

This book starts with a bang and never lets up. It's non-stop action wonderfully supported by a competent cast of characters that welcome you on their journey and either have you cheering for them, crying for them (yes, you will have your moments!) or hating them.

Deacon evolves in this installment, as do several other members of the supporting cast. He also earns some additional allies and friends (whom I love), while making some powerful enemies along the way (surprise surprise! - It seems that no matter what he does and regardless that his heart is always in the right place, Mr. chalk just can't seem to stay out of trouble).

LITERAL ADDICTION gives Blood and Silver 4 1/2 Skulls. If you are a fan of early Laurell K Hamilton - Anita Blake (before it became all about the sex), then you will love Deacon Chalk! I can't wait for the next book. James, as always, left me wanting more.

Side Note: there were a couple pieces in the story where I felt a bit lost and was confused because I had just finished Blood & Bullets. Come to find out I had missed a novella that takes place between Blood & Bullets and Blood & Silver - Spider's Lullaby. I went back and read it after and it filled in those few little "huh?" moments. With that said, I would suggest reading the series as: That Thing at the Zoo, Blood & Bullets, Spider's Lullaby & then Blood & Silver to get the best experience. The novellas are definitely worth the read!


Blood and Silver

 

[Archive] LITERAL ADDICTION's Review of Blood & Bullets

 

James R. Tuck is the author of the Deacon Chalk: Occult Bounty Hunter series.

He writes DARK URBAN FANTASY.  It's gritty, violent and bloody.  The monsters are monstrous and they do Very Bad Things.  The good guys are Big Damn Heroes.

He writes the ultimate thrill ride in the form of a book, just for us.  He wants us turning those paes as fast as we can while precariously balanced on the edge of our seats. 

Blood and Bullets, Deacon Chalk Occult Bounty Hunter Book #1

Author: James R. Tuck

Synopsis:

He lives to kill monsters. He keeps his city safe. And his silver hollow-points and back-from-the-dead abilities help him take out any kind of supernatural threat. But now an immortal evil has this bad-ass bounty hunter dead in its sights...

Ever since a monster murdered his family, Deacon Chalk hunts any creature that preys on the innocent. So when a pretty vampire girl "hires" hin to eliminate a fellow slayer, Deacon goes to warn him--and barely escapes a vampire ambush. Now he's got a way-inexperienced newbie hunter to protect and everything from bloodsuckers to cursed immortals on his trail. There's also a malevolent force controlling the living and the undead, hellbent on turning Deacon's greatest loss into the one weapon that could destroy him...

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

I am an Urban Fantasy lover. While I adore my Paranormal Romance and Eroticas, there is just something about a dark, gritty, Urban Fantasy series with a wicked arc, some snarky dialogue, and a bunch of kick a** characters that tweaks my inner fangirl. With that said, when my blog partner found James R. Tuck, she immediately said "I really think you'll like this one, it sounds like it's right up your alley..."  She was most definitely right!

Blood and Bullets is actually the 2nd story of the Deacon Chalk, Occult Bounty Hunter series, with That Thing at the Zoo (an eNovella) being our introduction into the world.

Deacon is an ex-tattoo artist who lost his family to monsters and with it his will to live. Being a man of strong faith, however, he refuses to just lay down and die, and decides that the quickest  way for him to be reunited with his loved ones is to throw himself into the fray with the monsters that ruined his life, and go out swingin'.  The way he tells us his story is so 'real' and heartfelt, you get lost in the narrative immediately.

A man who owns a strip club and has a deep seeded love for his weapons, music, and car - yes a real "man's man" - Deacon is a wonderful hero and you can't help but fall in love with him.  He actually reminds me of my own tattoo artist, Uncle Johnny from A&E's Inked; a big ol' shaved headed teddy bear with a heart of gold and an iron will. :)

Deacon's supporting cast is wonderful as well. He has an honest to goodness chain smoking, whiskey drinking priest, a petite little techno wiz chiquita who not only runs the strip club but oranizes the hunts, and some 'others' who start out as allies, but end up as some great friends.

In a battle to defeat a very old entity, Deacon and gang are thrown into one confrontation after another, and James takes the reader on an adrenaline fueled thrill ride full of danger, beautifully twisted and woven history, and oh yes... Plenty of blood and bullets!

I was utterly engrossed in the story, and upon completion, couldn't wait to dig into Blood and Silver (the 2nd full length story of the series).

LITERAL ADDICTION gives Blood and Bullets 4 Skulls and would recommend it to all book lovers who like their heroes 'balls to the wall', their fantasy dark, gritty, action packed, & thrilling, and their narrative sarcastic, acerbic, and genuine.

Blood and Bullets

LITERAL ADDICTION's Review of Haunted

 

Jeanne C. Stein is an American Urban Fantasy author living in Colorado. She now lives in Colorado, but was raised and educated in San Diego, which is the setting for her contemporary vampire fantasy.

Jeanne is active in the writing community, belonging to Sisters in Crime both nationally and in San Diego and Los Angeles. She also belongs to Horror Writers of America, RWA and Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers. She was named RMFW’s Writer of the Year for 2008 an honor given to a writer who has contributed to the organization as well as achieved success in publication.

Haunted, Anna Strong Chronicles Book #8

Author:  Jeanne C. Stein

Synopsis: 

Anna Strong—kick-ass bounty hunter and vampire—has made some enemies in her time. But it’s not just her old foes she should be worried about…

Anna’s shape-shifting friend Culebra finally opens up to her about his life before he owned Beso de la Muerte, a bar catering to supernatural clientele. As if summoned by the conversation, Culebra’s past stumbles into his bar in the form of an old buddy cashing in a favor.

Soon Anna, Culebra and her ex, DEA agent Max, find themselves deep in Mexico, dealing with drug cartel infighting, old vendettas and missing girls. Mexico just may prove to be Anna’s best match yet… 

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

I was lucky enough to receive a copy of Haunted from the Publisher for review. I settled in with the tale on a trip out of town and almost missed several set meet up times because I couldn't put it down!

Haunted is basically an action movie set to paper with a leading lady to rival Jennifer Garner, Angelina Jolie, or any of the other action heroines out there that we so love.

Our favorite gun-toting, 'what you see is what you get' PI/Vampire is thrown into a devastatingly dangerous situation with her friend and shapeshifter Culebra and ex and DEA agent Max. What starts out as a favor for a friend, turns into a huge ordeal full of Mexican drug cartels, child sex/slavery rings, and more. It's one hurdle after another for Anna and her gang, and NOTHING is as it seems!

During the ordeal, Anna & Culebra gain a few unexpected allies and new friends, Max proves that he's not quite the jerk that we thought he was, Anna makes sacrifices yet again to save her friends and the innocent, and in the end... the good guys win... um... sort of.

This book was intense and the end had my heart rate elevated immensely and a look of utter shock on my face. I can't tell you more without ruining it, but it was OH SO GOOD!!

Haunted was action packed, emotion filled, & utterly fantastic!! While I suggest reading the entire series, Haunted can definitely be read as a stand alone novel.

LITERAL ADDICTION gives Haunted 5 Skulls and would recommend it to everyone! Urban Fantasy lovers need to check into the Anna Strong Chronicles, it's a journey you won't regret!  

Haunted 

 

[Archive] LITERAL ADDICTION's Review of Betrayed

D.B Reynolds lives with her husband of many years in a flammable canyon near Los Angeles.  When she’s not writing her own books, she can usually be found reading someone else’s.

D.B is the proud creator of the VAMPIRES IN AMERICA series.  VAMPIRES IN AMERICA currently consists of 5 books – “Raphael”, “Jabril”, “Rajmund”, “Sophia”, “Duncan”, Vignettes Vol. 1, a collection of short stories from the VAMPIRES IN AMERICA world and the newest release BETRAYED, a Cyn & Rafael novella, which was just released only a few days ago.  The 6th book in the series, LUCAS, will be released October 2012.

 

Betrayed,  Story #5.5 of the VAMPIRES IN AMERICA series

Author:  D.B Reynolds

 

Synopsis: Love, the ache in your heart when you meet the one. It can take you to soaring heights; and it can leave you bleeding in the wreckage. Loyalty, the thing which binds a Vampire Lord to his children for eternity ... unless it rots from within, birthing hatred. Betrayal, it comes in many forms and from many sources ... love ... loyalty ... betrayal. War has come to the North American vampires, and Vampire Lords are reaching across territorial lines to strengthen allies and weaken enemies. The most powerful Lord of them all, Raphael, could change the course of the war and determine who raises the final banner of victory. But at what price? And will his mate, Cyn, be the one to pay it.

 

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

VAMPIRES IN AMERICA is easily one of my favorite vampire series out there. It's engaging, action packed, & seriously hot.  While Paranormal Romance, it has an arc like an Urban Fantasy that keeps you coming back for more and yearning for the next story to be released.  Like most readers of VIA, I craved more Cyn and Raphael, and D.B definitely delivered with this novella.  My exact words upon finishing the story were:  "Holy hotness D.B!! Yowza!  I wanted more Cyn & Raphael & you delivered beautifully. A wonderful continuation from Sophia & the Vignettes, & a great tease for Lucas. I can't wait!". :)

Betrayed delivered the things that we've come to want and love with the Vampires in America books - intrigue, action, danger, drama, and emotion filled scenes - whether they be angst, passion, light-hearted foolishness, or a combination.

Betrayed picks up after Sophia, Duncan and the Vignettes and throws us back into Cyn and Raphael's world of love, trust (and mistrust) and the "Super Secret Vampire Stuff" that is always going on. 

D.B revisits a tough spot in Cyn and Raphael's relationship and brings some of their issues to a head in this novella. It's heart-wrenching and beautiful.  She also introduces us to our stud of book #6, Lucas, and I for one cannot wait for the Irish Cowboy's book in October!  

LITERAL ADDICTION gives Betrayed 5 Skulls.  While you can read and enjoy the story without reading the other books, I would STRONGLY advise against it because there is just so much history in these books and they are just too darn good to pass up.  

 
Betrayed:

 

 

[Archive] LITERAL ADDICTION's Review of Shadow Rising

Kendra Leigh Castle was born and raised in the far and frozen reaches of northern New York, and then ran away with a handsome young Navy fighter pilot, which means that she’s spent the last thirteen years moving all over the country. She began her writing career in the high desert of Nevada, but now lives in Maryland with her husband, their three children, a Pekingese, two Newfs, and an obnoxious Siberian cat. Kendra can usually be found curled up with her laptop and yet another cup of coffee, and loves to hear from her readers! A 2011 RITA finalist for her book RENEGADE ANGEL, she is currently hard at work on the next in her DARK DYNASTIES series.

Kendra is also the proud creator of the MACINNES WEREWOLVES series.

You can find her online at her Website, on Facebook, Twitter, and GoodReads.

Shadow Rising,  Book #3 of the DARK DYNASTIES series

Author:  Kendra Leigh Castle

Synopsis:  As one of the Grigori, a noble vampire dynasty shrouded in mystery, Ariane has spent her life hidden away in the desert. Like all of her kind, she is a watcher, fated to observe, forbidden to act. Yet when her best friend, Sammael, vanishes, she defies all rules and flees her safe haven to bring him home.

A shape-shifting assassin for the House of Shadows, Damien Tremaine is hired to locate Sammael. His hunt for the wayward Grigori leads him to Ariane, the rogue vamp who stands between him and his bounty. Damien never lets emotion interfere with his work, but a single touch from the sexy, beguiling vampire shatters his self-control. Drawn together by their common goal, what begins as an alliance of necessity soon becomes one of desire. But when the secret at the dark heart of the Grigori comes to light, Damien and Ariane must make a choice that could bind them eternally...or tear them—and everything they care about—apart.

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

I was lucky enough to get an ARC of Shadow Rising from NetGalley and settled in with my Cait Sith tanktop ready for Damien's book. I absolutely love Damien, and was a little worried that I had put too high of expectations on the release. I shouldn't have worried, because immediately upon finishing it, my exact words were: "Quite possibly the best book I've read all year & I've read some good ones! Simply amazing!!" :)

Ariane is a Grigori. A headstrong female among a clan of male dominant, secretive vampires known for watching and not interfering. She's not your average Grigori though. She's something of an outcast among her clan due to the nature of her turning (which she can't even remember) and the level of humanity she retained after she became a vampire. When her best (and possibly only) friend disappears from their desert home, she goes against orders of her clan Ancients and sets out to find him on her own.

Damien is a Cait Sith, one of the cat shifting clan of vampires, and also a Shadow - an assasin. He's hired by a Grigori to locate their missing Ancient and sets out as usual in his cool an detached way. When his search causes him to run into a woman with eyes like violets and hair like spun platinum, his world gets absolutely rocked. Where he had never let emotion interfere with a job in the many, MANY years he'd been around, all it takes is one glance from this Grigori to mess with his head.

Finding that they simply can't avoid eachother, and that things might go smoother if they just pooled their resources and worked together, they embark on their journey to find the missing Sammael, along with the help of the heads of the other dynasties who realized that "the enemy of my enemy could possibly be my friend"...

Side notes: Damien is the ULTIMATE alpha hero. He's snarky, sarcastic, stubborn, and sexy as sin - the quintessetial bad boy - and he sooo made me purr. LOL. I had been waiting for his book, but this exceeded even my expectations.

We get some great appearances from some of our other favorite vamps as well in this installment, and Vlad in this book just made me want his book even more!!

What more can I say... the book was an action-packed, thrilling, suspenseful, surprising journey in the beautifully complex world of the Dark Dynasties and I was completely enthralled. I cannot wait for the next book!

LITERAL ADDICTION gives Shadow Rising an easily earned 5 Skulls and would recommend it to EVERYONE! While it's not necessary to read the preceding books to enjoy this installment, I will warn you that the minute you finish Shadow Rising you'll want to read the others, so you might as well start with book #1 and just enjoy the ride. :)
Shadow Rising:

[Archive] LITERAL ADDICTION's Review of Eternal Beast

Laura Wright Born and raised in Minnesota, Laura didn’t start out as a reader or a writer until after high school.  She was heavily into theater, song, dance, commercials, and… boys.  She was smitten by romance, but had never read a romance novel until her late teens.  She can still remember the day she read her first Jude Deveraux novel.  She couldn’t put it down, and afterwards, went straight to the library to get another, and another, until she’d consumed everything that Jude had written.  After Deveraux it was McNaught, Howard, Schone, Kleypas, and the Silhouette line, Desire.  She instantly loved the emotional, sexy reads - so much so that she began to carve out ideas for her own stories – themes that were unique to her and that moved her personally. 

In 1997 she enrolled in UCLA extension writing classes, met her mentor and critique partners, and has never stopped writing since.  She was committed then, and still is; the need to tell her own romantic tales a full on obsession.  Her first manuscript was rejected, and though the second one was as well, the editor who rejected it wanted to see more.  She had more and sent them in right away.  The day she got the call telling her that Desire wanted to buy “Cinderella and the Playboy” was the best day of her life – UNTIL she married her husband and had her beautiful children. 

 

Eternal Beast, Mark of the Vampire Book #4

Author:  Laura Wright

Synopsis:  A Taste of Blood

Ever since his abduction by the Eternal Order of Vampires, Gray Donohue has finally found his true calling: vengeance. He will stop at nothing to bring his fellow Impure vampires the freedom they deserve. Now if he could just release his primal need for the beautiful vampire who saved his life—and rules his thoughts and desires…

After nearly killing the senator she was assigned to protect, Dillon is now in mortal danger. The jaguar within her has been unleashed, and she can no longer control it. Sex is the only thing that can tame her shift. And Gray is the only man who can make her surrender to a passion strong enough to overpower her inner beast. But she doesn’t want to surrender—she wants her life back. Because she is determined never to belong to anyone, especially not Gray—the male whom destiny claims is her mate…

Our Review [by Michelle L. Olson – LITERAL ADDICTION’s Pack Alpha]:
The discovery of MARK OF THE VAMPIRE will always be a highlight for me. Eternal Hunger was the 1st book of LITERAL ADDICTION's 2nd Reading Event when we were still just a tiny Paranormal BookClub with 8 members. As time has progressed, so has the series, and so has my love for both it and Laura!

Immediately upon finishing this book my exact thoughts were: "Holy cow! Smokin' hot & action packed - an amazing read!" :)

Now I want to break it down for you all, but it's going to be a bit tough without spoilers because SO much happens in this book. I shall do my best though...

The MARK OF THE VAMPIRE world is opened up immensely in this release. There is additional information learned about all facets of the world and its inhabitants and each and every tidbit is titilating and incredible.

For those of you that are up-to-speed on the series, the previous eNovella release, "Eternal Blood", revealed to us that Gray's father was the leader of the Impure Resistance. In Eternal Beast we see Gray with a singleminded purpose and an incredible passion, and not only for his cause!

Dillon is still messed up over the trauma she endured at the end of the last book at the hands of the Senator and just isn't herself. She seeks Grays help as a form of therapy and inevitably, though they fight it every step of the way, they grow even closer.

I can't say much more without ruining things, but I can tell you all this... Dillon and Gray together are UNBELIEVABLE! Smokin' hot, smart, snarky, sexy, sarcastic and just about every other fabulous "S" adjective I can think of. ;-)

There are a lot of new characters introduced in Eternal Beast, as well as additional information on ones that we've met briefly before. It was an incredible installment to the series and there are TONS of directions that Laura could go with things now. I'm SO excited to see what the future holds!

LITERAL ADDICTION gives Eternal Beast a well deserved 5 Skulls. If you haven't experienced this series yet, you are TOTALLY missing out, and you REALLY need to add it to your TBR and find it from your favorite bookseller ASAP!

Eternal Beast

[Archive] LITERAL ADDICTION's Review of Mark of the Witch

Maggie Shayne It was a sleepless night spent caring for a sick baby that jump-started New York Times Bestselling Author Maggie Shayne’s writing career.

A voracious reader and prolific writer from childhood, Maggie found herself without a book to read while coddling the colicky child. So instead she began spinning a tale of her own, creating a plotline that evolved in her thoughts until, a few days later, she sat down and wrote the story in longhand.

Now the author of more than forty novels, ranging from stories about Witches, vampires, psychics and ghosts, to bone chilling, edge-of-your-seat romantic suspense and beyond. The genres she has mastered include women’s fiction, category romance, romantic suspense, and paranormal fiction. Maggie has honed her lyrical prose and made a name for herself on the New York Times, USA Today, Amazon.com, B.Dalton, Booksense, Ingram’s, Barnes and Noble, and Waldenbooks (where she reached #1) bestseller lists.

Maggie is the winner of numerous awards, including two Romantic Times Bookclub Career Achievement Awards, the National Readers Choice Award, and the coveted RITA Award, for which she was nominated twelve times before finally winning.

She has also written for CBS daytime dramas, Guiding Light and As the World Turns. One of Maggie’s novels, Eternity, has been optioned for film.

Mark of the Witch, Book #1 of THE PORTAL series

Author:  Maggie Shayne

Synopsis:  A lapsed Wiccan, Indira Simon doesn't believe in magic anymore. But when strange dreams of being sacrificed to an ancient Babylonian god have her waking up with real rope burns on her wrists, she's forced to acknowledge that she may have been too hasty in her rejection of the unknown. Then she meets mysterious and handsome Father Tomas. Emerging from the secrecy of an obscure Gnostic sect, he arrives with stories of a demon, a trio of warrior witches-and Indira's sacred calling. Yet there's something even Tomas doesn't know, an inescapable truth that will force him to choose between saving the life of the woman he's come to love-and saving the world.

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

I have been a fan of Maggie Shayne and her writing for quite some time.  Her Wings in the Night series was my support system during a very rough patch of my life and after that I pretty much started to devour everything I could find. 

When I heard about Maggies new PORTAL series I was ecstatic!  A Wiccan High Priestess writing a Paranormal Romance about witches...truly, what could be better, right!?  When Maggie sent me an Advance Reader Copy of Mark of the Witch (book #1) to read and review I literally did a happy dance. :)  I wasn't sure exactly when I was going to be able to get to it, but I was excited none-the-less.

Ironically (or maybe not so ironically!??), my life took a tumble and I ended up in another rough situation health-wise.  Knowing that I had Mark of the Witch sitting on my dresser, it was the very first thing I asked for after being hospitalized.  I settled in, and like usual with Maggie's books, was transported away to a world I never wanted to leave. 

Indira is a lapsed Wiccan who has lost her faith and a bit of her way.  She's had a rough childhood, has suffered loss, has some trust issues, and has basically given up on love.  In spite of all of that, she is one tough heroine!  She's iron willed, strong minded, and even a bit feisty, all with a layer of vulnerability that makes you love her even more.  When things start to happen that she can no longer ignore, she's forced to open her mind, try to put aside her doubts, and join up with some unusual allies in their mutual quest for truth.

Father Tomas isn't your everyday hero.  He's multi-dimensional and incredibly fascinating - not to mention sexy as sin.  A Gnostic priest from a secret sect, he too struggles with aspects of his faith and his decision to put his life and his fate in the hands of one man who claims to know what he is meant for.  Smart and strategic, he attacks everything in life with a plan, but also with a passion that borders on abandon.  You can't help but get swept away... 

Indy and Tomas together are electric.  A forbidden passion that burns bright despite the roadblocks of their quest and the chastisement of their conscience.  Add in the revelation of some long buried secrets, and theirs is a relationship for the ages (literally). 

Mark of the Witch gives the reader intense intrigue, exciting plot twists, loveable sidekicks, antagonists that make your lip curl, beautifully crafted landscapes, action, drama, sizzling romance, and so much more.  It was literally spell-binding (pardon the pun)!  I absolutely cannot wait for Daughter of the Spellcaster, book #2, in October!

LITERAL ADDICTION gives Mark of the Witch a well deserved 5 Skulls and would recommend it to everyone!  Paranormal Romance enthusiasts as well as Urban Fantasy lovers will adore this new series.

 

Mark of the Witch