[Archive] LITERAL ADDICTION's Review of Dark Heir

Faith Hunter, fantasy writer, was born in Louisiana and raised all over the south. The Skinwalker series, featuring Jane Yellowrock is taking off like a rocket withSkinwalker, Blood Cross, Mercy Blade, Raven Cursed, Death’s Rival, Blood Trade, and Black Arts. Her Rogue Mage novels, a dark, urban fantasy series—Bloodring, Seraphs, and Host—feature Thorn St. Croix, a stone mage in a post-apocalyptic, alternate reality, urban fantasy world. These novels are the basis for the role playing game, Rogue Mage.

Under the pen name Gwen Hunter, she writes action-adventure, mysteries, and thrillers. As Faith and Gwen, she has 20+ books in print in 28 countries.

Hunter fell in love with reading in fifth grade, and best loved SiFi, fantasy, and gothic. She decided to become a writer in high school, when a teacher told her she had talent. Now, she writes full-time and works full-time in a hospital lab, (for the benefits) tries to keep house, and is a workaholic with a passion for travel, jewelry making, white-water kayaking, and writing. She and her husband love to RV, traveling with their dogs to whitewater rivers all over the Southeast.

Keep up with Faith online at her Website, on Facebook, on Twitter, and on GoodReads.

Dark Heir
SKINWALKER/JANE YELLOWROCK Book #9

COMING 4/7/15!

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Shapeshifting skinwalker Jane Yellowrock is the best in the business when it comes to slaying vampires. But her latest fanged foe may be above her pay grade…

For centuries, the extremely powerful and ruthless vampire witches of the European Council have wandered the Earth, controlling governments, fostering war, creating political conflict, and often leaving absolute destruction in their wake. One of the strongest of them is set to create some havoc in the city of New Orleans, and it’s definitely personal.

Jane is tasked with tracking him down. With the help of a tech wiz and an ex-Army ranger, her partners in Yellowrock Securities, she’ll have to put everything on the line, and hope it’s enough. Things are about to get real hard in the Big Easy.

Our review, by LITERAL ADDICTION's Alluring Angel - Kathy:

*Copy gifted in exchange for an honest review

Faith Hunter’s Dark Heir, the ninth book in the Jane Yellowrock series, continues the thrill-ride that was established when we first met Jane.

When the ancient vampire witch known as the Son Of Darkness escapes from Leo’s dungeon, no one is safe. Not humans. Not the Mithrans. No one. And when the body count begins to rise, Jane has to find a way to stop a monster who seems invincible.

Oh, and the Big Bad has a personal grudge against Jane.

With the help of Beast, her partners Eli and Alex, friends, allies and semi-allies, an injured Jane goes on the hunt for what could be her final hunt.

Dark Heir starts out fast and furious, and maintains full velocity throughout. I love that each book in this series doles out a little more information regarding what makes Jane... Jane. The relationship between Jane and Beast continues to grow and well as her relationships with other characters.

Dark Heir gets 5 skulls and two thumbs up!

Dark Heir

[Archive] LITERAL ADDICTION's Review of The Dangers of Dating a Rebound Vampire

When Molly Harper was eight years old, she set up a “writing office” in her parents’ living room, complete with an old manual typewriter and a toy phone. And she (very slowly) pecked out the story of her third-grade class taking a trip around the world and losing a kid in each city. She had a dark sense of humor even then.

When Molly was considerably older, she headed for Western Kentucky University, where she majored in print journalism. After graduation, she landed a job with The Paducah Sun and married her high school sweetheart, David, a local police officer. After six years at the newspaper, Molly took a more family-friendly secretarial position at a local church office.

Her husband worked nights and Molly was alone with their small child in the “The Apartment of Lost Souls.” A big fan of vampire movies and TV shows, she decided to write a vampire romance novel. Molly created Jane Jameson, a bit of an accidental loser. Jane is single, almost 30, and a librarian working in Half-Moon Hollow, KY. She has become a permanent fixture on her Mama’s prayer list. And despite the fact that she’s pretty good at her job, she just got canned so her boss could replace her with someone who occasionally starts workplace fires. Jane drowns her sorrows at the local faux nostalgia-themed sports bar. On her way home, she’s mistaken for a deer and shot by a drunk hunter. And then she wakes up as a vampire.

Molly continues stories in the Jane Jameson universe through her HALF-MOON HOLLOW series.

You can keep up with Molly online at her Website, on Facebook, on Twitter, and on GoodReads.

The Dangers of Dating a Rebound Vampire
HALF-MOON HOLLOW Book #4

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In the next book in Molly Harper’s beloved Half Moon Hollow paranormal romance series, Gigi starts her first job (at Vampire Headquarters), gets over her first love, and may even fall for her first vampire!

Gigi is no longer an innocent teen. All grown up and looking for love, her family and friends worry she’ll go for the sexy, alluring vampire instead of a nice, safe human. But sexy and alluring, with a penchant for biting, could be just what Gigi wants...

Our Review, by LITERAL ADDICTION's Pack Alpha - Chelle:
*Copy gifted in exchange for an honest review

The Dangers of Dating a Rebound Vampire was exactly what I needed. A light-hearted, happy tale with a snarky heroine, a fun mystery, & an utterly lovable & dysfunctional undead family. :)

Molly Harper is a master at making me smile, and that was exactly what she did with this installment of Half-Moon Hollow. The over-protective antics of Gigi's sister and the rest of her undead family had me grinning from ear to ear, and Gigi is one of those heroines that you can't help but love. She just can't help but get into trouble and it is entertaining every step of the way. Nik is a great hero, as well. Quirky, sexy, and all male, he knows what he wants, isn't afraid to go and get it, and keeps Gigi on her toes.

The concept behind The Dangers of Dating a Rebound vampire was super fun. Magic and mayhem ensue to create a fun and exciting mystery that keeps the reader on the edge of their seat waiting to see if Gigi will get her man or if her family - and the big bad - will keep them apart. And the 'undead corporate America' pieces gave me flashbacks to those days at the office. :)

My only complaint about the book was the insta-love. I'm personally not a fan, and while I know that it happens all the time in PNR, it just never feels believable to me. That aside, everything else in the book was utterly enjoyable and entertaining, and I could easily overlook the fact that it was love at first sight, and that Gigi loved Nik even when they'd only met a couple of times and he was suspiciously trying to kill her. :-P After all, this is fantasy right!!? Besides, Molly made the quirks of the characters make it somehow believable. The sign of a good story teller... <3

The Dangers of Dating a Rebound Vampire

[ARCHIVE] LITERAL ADDICTION's Review of Freed

STACEY KENNEDY is the USA Today bestselling author of the CLUB SIN series. Growing up, Stacey’s mind wandered the path less traveled and that path most often led to love. She has always broken rules and she continues to feed off emotion – staying true to her heart. Those traits are now the bones of her stories. She lives in southwestern Ontario with her husband, who puts any of the heroes in her books to shame, and their two young children. If she’s not on mom duty or plugging away at a new story, you’ll find Stacey camping in the summer, hibernating in the winter and obsessing over Penny Dreadful, Game of Thrones and Sons of Anarchy.

Connect with Stacey:  Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

Freed

CLUB SIN Book #4

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Mary Schmidt knows only too well how thrilling a Master’s touch can be. Her husband, Charles, had been her ultimate fantasy, a seducer in the erotic dance of dominance and submission. She misses the sensual lifestyle they shared, but mourns him so deeply she cannot bear to embrace her submissive needs with another Dom—until a man who exudes temptation reawakens desires she can no longer deny.

Elliott Foster is dazzled by Mary. He instantly knows that she’s the woman he’s been waiting for—a woman who turns games into need. As her Master, he dares to unlock the deepest pleasures of her flesh, releasing her from pain and healing her mind. When Mary’s lithe body comes to life under his, he knows their connection goes beyond sex. Now that he has found the perfect woman, the perfect partner, the perfect submissive, he desires only to give her everything she craves.

Freed is an erotic romance intended for mature audiences.

Our Review, by LITERAL ADDICTION's Vivacious Valkyrie - Marta (with thoughts from Pack Alpha, Chelle):

*Copy gifted in exchange for an honest review

This is part of the Club Sin series but the author has cleverly changed the format entirely with this story and the "action" does not take place at the ubiquitous club. No this story has a completely different feel to it as the central characters are not young thrill seekers but rather a mature couple who both understand fully the lifestyle that so many wish to emulate .
Mary is a character who has been on the fringes of the Club Sin storyline. She's a woman no longer in her first flush of youth but not quite over the hill yet! Mary lost Charles, the love of her life just four short years ago and has never truly healed. Charles was the perfect Dominant to Mary's natural Submissive nature and their marriage was everything the couple had ever dreamed of but now Mary has put romance behind her.
Elliott has never really found the perfect partner for him and has no desire to settle for less than what he needs. Meeting Mary quite by chance he sees a woman whose very essence seems to be crying out for the type of release that he is capable of giving. Mary has no place in her life for a permanent man and her heart is still consumed with her memories of Charles . Yet she takes a risk and agrees to one night with Elliott but for Elliott that will never be enough. He sees the pain she hides and more importantly he sees the woman and Mary is the perfect woman for him. If only Mary could see that!
Our heroine Mary lost the love of her life and has not allowed herself to grieve properly. True grief has many stages and it's all too easy to lose yourself to it. Mary needs to heal but the only way she can do that is by opening herself up and allowing herself to feel again and I feel she was a very lucky lady indeed to meet Elliott. I found Elliott to be a complete revelation and his patience with Mary opened up the story to showcase that BDSM is not just about pleasure and pain it's also about trust and understanding . We all have needs and it was wonderful that the author chose an older couple for this story as not everyone is young and nubile! What I felt uncomfortable with was the sheer amount of time Mary thought about her late husband whilst in the arms of Elliott. I understand that it was difficult for her but I thought it eclipsed the storyline a tad as it was difficult to believe that she was truly falling in love with Elliot. That being said I'm glad that Elliott was not deterred and love could find a way.

Notes from Chelle: Another sinfully sexy CLUB SIN book by Ms. Kennedy. I'm still amazed how she can suck me in with these, not being - for the most part - a fan of BDSM. It's just a sign of good writing. :)

FREED

[Archive] LITERAL ADDICTION's Review of Tamed

STACEY KENNEDY is the USA Today bestselling author of the CLUB SIN series. Growing up, Stacey’s mind wandered the path less traveled and that path most often led to love. She has always broken rules and she continues to feed off emotion – staying true to her heart. Those traits are now the bones of her stories. She lives in southwestern Ontario with her husband, who puts any of the heroes in her books to shame, and their two young children. If she’s not on mom duty or plugging away at a new story, you’ll find Stacey camping in the summer, hibernating in the winter and obsessing over Penny Dreadful, Game of Thrones and Sons of Anarchy.

Connect with Stacey: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

Tamed
CLUB SIN Book #5

Buy from:  Amazon / B&N / BAM / Apple / Kobo

USA Today bestselling author Stacey Kennedy returns to the tantalizing world of Club Sin in an enticing novel of control and surrender.
 
Porter Marshall has nearly achieved his goal of becoming a Club Sin Master, but his new sub poses a much bigger challenge than he anticipated. Despite their mutual attraction and red-hot dungeon sessions, Kenzie Hart plays her own games. Her bratty, you-can’t-break-me attitude masks terrible personal hurt—pain that only the exquisite touch of a skilled Dom can release. But when Porter suggests taking their connection to the outside world, Kenzie denies him . . . which only makes him want her more.

Kenzie can’t ignore the raw, fierce bond she has with Porter. But she can’t give in to his dangerous demands, either. Is the passion they share real, or is he using her to solidify his status at Club Sin? And yet, who else can she trust with the shattering secrets she holds within? As Porter expertly brings her to the point of no return, Kenzie surrenders her body—and, piece by piece, her heart.

Our Review, by LITERAL ADDICTION's Pack Alpha - Chelle:

*Copy gifted in exchange for an honest review

Another great Club Sin story by Stacey, with wonderfully complex characters and a much deeper story than simply the sexy dungeon scenes.

I've been a fan of Kenzie all along, she's just so incredibly spunky. At some points during Tamed she seemed a bit over the top, but given what she was trying to escape it was warranted. And explained beautifully by the author. Kenzie used acting out as a coping and defense mechanism, and watching Porter tame her was something truly beautiful to behold.

I loved that the portrayal of the lifestyle in Tamed was one of control focused on trust, safety, concern, and care, which all led to some intense and wickedly awesome passion. Porter was 100% in Kenzie's corner, and not willing to even do things to give her pleasure if it meant doing her harm psychologically. He was even willing to save her from herself. I'm not in the lifestyle, but I think that those who are would appreciate the way that Ms. Kennedy went about this. It felt very real to me, and was about the 'important' things, the things that those who don't understand the lifestyle either don't realize or forget when they think it's just kink.

As always, I highly recommend the Club Sin novels, and I enjoyed another one!!

Tamed

[Archive] LITERAL ADDICTION's Review of An Alpha's Fate

Lia Davis is the author of the bestselling shifter series, Ashwood Falls, a mother to two young adults and three kitties, a wife to her soul mate, and co-owner to Fated Desires Publishing, LLC. She and her family live in Northeast Florida battling hurricanes and very humid summers. But it’s her home and she loves it!

An accounting major, Lia has always been a dreamer with a very active imagination. The wheels in her head never stop. She ventured into the world of writing and publishing in 2008 and loves it more than she imagined. Writing is stress reliever that allows her to go off in her corner of the house and enter into another world that she created, leaving real life where it belongs.

Her favorite things are spending time with family, traveling, reading, writing, chocolate, coffee, nature and hanging out with her kitties.

Keep up with Lia online at her Website, on Facebook, on Twitter, on Pinterest, and on GoodReads.

An Alpha's Fate

ASHWOOD FALLS WORLD Book #1

Buy from Amazon / Amazon UK

Greenridge Pack princess, Reagan Summers, will protect her wolves at all cost. After finding out about his illegal activities that harmed so many innocents, she kills the Alpha Wolf her father arranged for her to marry. Afraid and on the run, she turns to the only person she trusts, her true mate, Logan.

Birchwood Pack Alpha, Logan Webb, watched Reagan walk out of his life over ten years ago. When she contacts him needing help, something in her voice puts his wolf in full protection mode. But seeing her in the flesh wakes a raw, primal desire long buried.

Our Review, by LITERAL ADDICTION's Pack Alpha - Chelle:
*Copy gifted in exchange for an honest review

An Alpha's Fate was as sweet and sexy story of overcoming obstacles, answering the pull of true love, taking responsibility, and healing.

Reagan was forced by her father to mate with an abusive Alpha. Ten years of abuse and discovery of a terrible secret led to her ultimate snap. Her wolf had finally had enough and took her revenge. Going to the only person she felt safe enough to trust in the heat of the moment, Reagan returns to her true mate Logan for help.

Logan has never stopped loving Reagan despite the fact that she broke his heart. When she needs his help, he's helpless to turn her away. Together, they realize that their love can overcome just about anything, and the future, together, looks pretty darn good.

If you're an Ashwood Falls fan, I definitely recommend this novella. Even if you're not, it's a wonderful short and romantic read.

An Alpha's Fate

[Archive] LITERAL ADDICTION's Review of Things Half in Shadow

Alan Finn is the pen name of an acclaimed author of mysteries. He has worked as a writer, editor, journalist and ghost writer. He resides in Princeton, New Jersey, where he is hard at work on his next novel.

Keep up with Alan at his Website, on Facebook, on Twitter, and on GoodReads.

Things Half in Shadow

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Postbellum America makes for a haunting backdrop in this historical and supernatural tale of moonlit cemeteries, masked balls, cunning mediums, and terrifying secrets waiting to be unearthed by an intrepid crime reporter.
The year is 1869, and the Civil War haunts the city of Philadelphia like a stubborn ghost. Mothers in black continue to mourn their lost sons. Photographs of the dead adorn dim sitting rooms. Maimed and broken men roam the streets. One of those men is Edward Clark, who is still tormented by what he saw during the war. Also constantly in his thoughts is another, more distant tragedy--the murder of his mother at the hands of his father, the famed magician Magellan Holmes...a crime that Edward witnessed when he was only ten.
Now a crime reporter for one of the city's largest newspapers, Edward is asked to use his knowledge of illusions and visual trickery to expose the influx of mediums that descended on Philadelphia in the wake of the war. His first target is Mrs. Lucy Collins, a young widow who uses old-fashioned sleight of hand to prey on grieving families. Soon, Edward and Lucy become entwined in the murder of Lenora Grimes Pastor, the city's most highly regarded--and by all accounts, legitimate--medium, who dies mid-seance. With their reputations and livelihoods at risk, Edward and Lucy set out to find the real killer, and in the process unearth a terrifying hive of secrets that reaches well beyond Mrs. Pastor.
Blending historical detail with flights of fancy, "Things Half in Shadow" is a riveting thriller where "Medium" and "The Sixth Sense" meet "The Alienist"--and where nothing is quite as it seems...

Our Review, by LITERAL ADDICTION's Pack Alpha - Chelle:
*Copy gifted in exchange for an honest review

I utterly enjoyed this book! From the smooth prose that felt like you were sitting down with your best friend to hear a captivating tale, to the setting, time period & characters that drew me in completely, to the story within a story within story that had me chuckling & wondering & waiting for the end, I looked forward to picking this up again and again each time I was forced to set it down.

Things Half in Shadow is told in first person as a kind of memoir. The protagonist, Edward, is retelling his adventures to his granddaughter, and spins the tale of what happened when he was asked by his editor to investigate the mediums in Philadelphia and uncover the truth to the newspaper's readers.

With the help of an unlikely ally, Lucy Collins (a character I completely adored!), Edward is thrown into a plot full of murder, mystery, subterfuge, secrets, lies, and folly. The complex web that Mr. Finn wove with regards to the arc was utterly captivating, and I chuckled, gasped, shook my head and anxiously awaited each new reveal.

I honestly wasn't sure what to expect with Things Half in Shadow. After all, I'm usually an urban fantasy and paranormal romance reader, and this was pitched as a historical with subtle paranormal elements, but I absolutely loved it, would highly recommend it, and will happily venture back into Mr. Finn's imagination again soon.

[Archive] LITERAL ADDICTION's Review of Storm Warned

Dani Harper is a former newspaper editor whose passion for all things supernatural led her to a second career writing paranormal fiction. There isn’t anything she likes better than exploring myths and legends from many cultures, which serve to inspire her sizzling and suspenseful stories.

A longtime resident of the Canadian north and southeastern Alaska, Dani now lives in rural Washington with her retired mountain-man husband. Together they do battle with runaway gardens, rampant fruit trees, and a roving herd of chickens, with the assistance of three dogs and several grandchildren.

Dani is the proud creator of the CHANGLING, GRIM, and DARK WOLF series.

Be sure to keep up with Dani online at her Website, on Facebook, on Twitter, and on GoodReads.

Storm Warned
GRIM Book #3

JUST 3/31/15!

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When Caris’s unearthly musical talent attracts the attention of the Wild Hunt, the Welsh farm girl is stolen away to serve as a faery grim, a herald of death. Two centuries later, she’s finally escaped back to the human world—and into the present-day life of a reclusive and heartbroken American musician.

Music was Liam’s whole life—until a crushing betrayal left him desperate to flee the public eye. Yet long-dormant passions awaken after a powerful storm strands a beautiful, strong-willed woman on his isolated farm. When a Fae prince bent on ruling both human and Faery realms threatens Caris’s life, Liam must decide if he can finally believe in love again, not just for her sake—but for the sake of two worlds.

From the best-selling author of Changeling Moon, this sweeping and passionate story of paranormal romance follows two souls from centuries apart who lost everything . . . and found that only love can save them.

Our Review, by LITERAL ADDICTION's Pack Alpha - Chelle:
*Copy gifted in exchange for an honest review

I utterly enjoyed this book. It seemed to be exactly what I needed at the time, and kept my interest from beginning to end.

It should be noted that I hadn't read the previous 2 installments of the Grim series before reading this for review, and that was O.K. Sorta. The book was absolutely fine as a standalone, but now I have 2 more books that I've bumped up in my TBRSoon list. :)

Storm Warned had one of those despicable villains that you love to hate, heroes and heroines that you cheer on every step of the way, an interesting and beautifully built world with some very cool intricacies, and a supporting cast that will definitely make you want more.

Liam is a tortured hero. He had a bad break in life and it caused him to put aside his dreams and secret himself away. You can't help but feel for him, and while there were times I sort of wanted to shake him, it all played out beautifully. Caris was fun, feisty and independent, a true counterpoint to his misery. The two of them together blended harmoniously to create a beautiful melody of love (yes that was a terrible punish statement, as the storyline very heavily revolves around music, something I absolutely adored!!).

I am really looking forward to reading more in Ms. Harper's Grim world, and I definitely recommend Storm Warned if you're in the mood for some Fae.

Storm Warned