[Archive] LITERAL ADDICTION's Review of Immortal Rider

 

Larissa Ione is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author who penned her first novel at the age of 13 and hasn't stopped writing since. She has been a U.S. Air Force meteorologist, an EMT, and a professional dog trainer, and you never know when one of those interests will pop into her novels.

She lives a nomadic existence with her U.S. Coast Guard husband and son, so her writing career has been a blessing -- a job that moves easily.

Immortal Rider, Book #2 of the Lords of Deliverance series

Author:  Larissa Ione

Synopsis: Sexy, powerful, and immortal, Limos is on a crash course with destiny. She’s been marked as Satan’s bride and her jealous fiancé wants her all to himself. The only way this Horseman can keep herself—and everyone else—safe is to keep her distance. But not even Limos can save herself from the secrets she’s kept . . . or resist the seductive allure of one very brave human.

Arik Wagner knows the saying “love hurts” better than most, yet he never thought stealing a kiss from Limos would land him in Hell. Literally. It takes all his military training to survive the demon torture, but once he’s topside, Arik realizes that the agony has just begun. With the Apocalypse looming and Satan demanding his bride, will Arik and Limos surrender to the desire smoldering between them? Or will giving in to their passion unleash hell on earth?

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

I love Larissa’s books, was fully hooked with the 1^st installment of the Lords of Deliverance series, and couldn’t wait to see what she had in store for Limos in book #2.

Immortal Rider was, in a word, fantastic!

Immortal Rider is about Limos, the only female horseman of the Apocalypse who would become Famine should her seal break.  She’s a wonderful conundrum… a legend, old as time, tough as nails immortal who is also one of the most feminine characters I have encountered with her penchant for flirty beachwear and nail polish.  In her book, we get to investigate a whole other side to Limos that I really never saw coming in Eternal Rider.  She’s vulnerable, and she has the weight of the world on her shoulders over things that have happened in her past. 

Our hero, Arik, is a soldier in the RX-R, who also has his share of past secrets and complex layers. 

As a couple, they are fabulous.  They have numerous obstacles to overcome not only separately but also together, and it’s not a foregone conclusion that they will have a happy ending, which makes what they go through together all the more powerful.

The story-line of Immortal Rider is fascinating, and leads the reader through a treasure trove of characters, beautifully constructed world building and action-packed fast paced plot. 

While Limos and Arik were the focal characters of the book, Immortal Rider was comprised of incredibly compelling secondary stories, as well as beautifully crafted loops back to book #1, Eternal Rider, and Larissa’s other series, Demonica. 

LITERAL ADDICTION gives Immortal Rider 5 Skulls, and would recommend it to all Dark Urban Fantasy, Urban Fantasy & Paranormal Romance readers. 

While Immortal Rider can be read as a stand-alone, I highly suggest at least reading the 1^st book, Eternal Rider before settling in with Immortal Rider.  If you’re not in a hurry to get to Immortal Rider and haven’t read Larissa’s Demonica series yet, I would actually suggest reading that first – only because it’s absolutely fabulous and you’ll get more joy out of ‘ah ha’ moments when characters from the Demonica series are looped into the Lords of the Deliverance. 

Immortal Rider:

 

 

[Archive] LITERAL ADDICTION's Review of Bound by Blood

 

P.A Lupton has had an addiction to books as long as she can remember, and from the moment she picked up her first Anne Rice novel, she was hooked on the paranormal. The compelling lure of the paranormal world is irresistible to her. It is a world where anything and everything is possible, and the boundaries of humanity need not apply. 

Women love a dangerous man, and what could be more dangerous than a vampire. Vampires embody everything we crave about the stereotypical bad boy. They exude confidence and sensuality. They are exciting, mysterious, and the epitome of masculine perfection—strong, youthful, and indescribably gorgeous. What’s not to love?

Her first novel, Bound by Blood, combines her two favorite paranormal legends: witches and vampires—with a little romance thrown into the mix.

Bound by Blood, Book #1 of the Garner Witch series

Author:  P.A Lupton

Synopsis: FBI agent and psychic, Brianna Reece, descends from an ancient and powerful bloodline of witches, only she doesn’t know it. But now that legacy has come back to bite her—literally.

In the shadows of night in Denver Colorado, a serial killer is hunting women, and FBI agent Brianna Reece is hunting the killer. Unlike any case she’s worked before, Brianna can’t ignore the prickling at the back of her neck when she glimpses the resemblance she shares with the victims. The investigation begins to touch even closer to home when it is revealed that all of the victims were also psychic.

Complicating matters further, Brianna is captivated by the FBI’s prime suspect Nathan Donovan. Though she senses he is hiding something from her, the attraction she feels for him is compelling, and unlike anything she’s ever experienced. Through a chance twist of fate, Nathan learns of Brianna’s ancestry and is forced to divulge secrets to Brianna that will change her life forever.

When she learns that the killer is an evil vampire, and he’s now set his sights on her, Nathan alone holds the key to awakening her dormant powers. Now he must race to teach her how to control her emergent gifts before she becomes the next victim.

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

I ran across Bound by Blood in my Amazon recommendeds and had to give it a try.  I’m certainly glad I did! 

Bound by Blood was a fast paced, wickedly sexy, action-packed, paranormal thrill ride and had me hooked from the first page. 

Our hero, Brianna, is smart, tough, sexy, sassy and unwilling to take any guff. 

Our hero, Nathan, is drop-dead gorgeous, mysterious, sensitive and an all around ‘good guy’. 

Together, they’re a power couple unlike any other, and utterly enjoyable.

The plot is complicated (yet seamlessly written and therefore easy to follow), full of magic and mystery, and utterly compelling.

Everything I look for in a fantastic Urban Fantasy was present in Bound by Blood.  It had intrigue, mystery, suspense, deceit, romance, magic, mayhem, and action, all delivered beautifully by Ms. Lupton. 

LITERAL ADDICTION gives Bound by Blood 4 1/2 Skulls, and would recommend it to all Dark Urban Fantasy, Urban Fantasy & Paranormal Romance readers.

I can’t wait for the next installment in the Garner Witch series!

Bound by Blood:

 

 

[Archive] LITERAL ADDICTION's Review of The Guardian

 

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.

The Guardian, Book #5 of the Dream-Hunter series

Author:  Sherrilyn Kenyon

Synopsis: Dream-Hunter Lydia has been charged with the most sacred and dangerous of missions: To descend into the Nether Realm and find the missing god of dreams before he betrays the secrets that could kill her and her kind. What she never expects is to be taken prisoner by the Realm’s most vicious guardian…

Seth’s time is running out. If he can’t hand over the entrance to Olympus, his own life and those of his people will be forfeit. No matter the torture, Seth hasn’t been able to break the god in his custody. Then there’s the beautiful Dream-Hunter Lydia: She isn’t just guarding the gates of Olympus—she’s holding back one of the world’s darkest powers. If she fails, an ancient curse will haunt the earth once more and no one will be safe. But evil is always seductive...

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

I adore Sherrilyn Kenyon’s Dark-Hunter series and its combined sub-series, Were-Hunter and Dream-Hunter. 

A feisty mixed species heroine with a past even she doesn’t know about, a tortured hero, family ties, alliances forged, promises broken, forbidden romance…  The Guardian was fantastic!

Lydia, our heroine, is in a quest to rescue the god of dream, Solin, from hell.  She’s feisty, and strong, but doesn’t take into account exactly what she’ll be up against.  When she runs into our hero, she isn’t quite prepared for what she finds – or the conflicting feelings she’s having. 

Our hero, Seth, a guardian to the evil Noir & Azura who has a single-minded quest is, in true Kenyon fashion, a sexy, tortured and complex character.  His evolution throughout the book was fascinating and intriguing.

Plot-wise, The Guardian was streamline, action-packed, mysterious and sexy and reminded all over again me why I love Sherrilyn Kenyon’s books. 

LITERAL ADDICTION gives The Guardian 4 1/2 Skulls, and would recommend it to all Sherrilyn Kenyon fans, Dark Urban Fantasy, Urban Fantasy & Paranormal Romance lovers. 

While The Guardian can be read as a stand-alone, I highly suggest that you invest in Sherrilyn Kenyon’s Dark-Hunter/Were-Hunter/Dream-Hunter series from the beginning.  While it has over 20 books now, it’s still one of the best in my honest opinion, and should be checked out by everyone.

The Guardian:

 

 

[Archive] LITERAL ADDICTION's Review of Last Breath

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.

Last Breath, Book #11 of the Morganville Vampire series

Author:  Rachel Caine

Synopsis: With her boss preoccupied researching the Founder Houses in Morganville, student Claire Danvers is left to her own devices when she learns that three vampires have vanished without a trace. She soon discovers that the last person seen with one of the missing vampires is someone new to town—a mysterious individual named Magnus. After an uneasy encounter with Morganville’s latest resident, Claire is certain Magnus isn’t merely human. But is he a vampire—or something else entirely?

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

I love the Morganville Vampires series and have been an avid follower since book #1.  Nothing could have prepared me for the fabulousness that was book #11, Last Breath, however. 

Rachel hit a home run with this book in every way possible!

Like all Morganville books, there was tons of action, danger lurking around every corner, sweet romance, problems to be solved, friendships solidified, alliances forged, and mysteries galore. 

Unlike other Morganville books, Last Breath gave the reader a closer insight into some of our main characters when Rachel switched up point of view from Claire, to Michael, to Amelie and back – all seamlessly.

While I read that people were worried that there wasn’t going to be as much Myrnin in this book (yes, I love him too!), no worries, there was plenty.  Actually, if possible, we get an even better glimpse into the enigma that is Myrnin, making my love for him grow even more. 

This book was an intense, heart pounding, sigh & gasp inducing, anger igniting, emotional thrill ride and it was my favorite of the series thus far.  Bottom line…Last Breath took my breath away.

LITERAL ADDICTION gives Last Breath an easy 5 Skulls, and would recommend it to EVERYONE!  Morganville may be classified as YA, but adult Urban Fantasy and Paranormal Romance readers will love this series just as much.  You really do need to read the first 10 installments of The Morganville Vampires series before settling in for this gem, however.  There is just too much history that you would be without, thus making Last Breath only a sliver of the prize it truly is.  I am beyond thrilled that there will be a 12^th book in the series, my only complaint is that I don’t have it in my hot little hands right this second.

Last Breath:

[Archive] LITERAL ADDICTION's Review of Supernova

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 Norfolk Naval 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.

Supernova, Book #1 of the Supernova Saga

Author:  C.L Parker

Synopsis:  As part of a chosen bloodline, Kerrigan Cruz has inherited a gift: supernatural powers which give her the ability to protect a person's free will from those who wish to alter destiny for their own design. After her grandmother's passing, Kerrigan meets Dominic Grayson, an alluring stranger with a secret of his own. Dominic has been cursed, touched by both darkness and light, and Kerrigan is the only one who can save him. In their world, only three things are certain: His curse. Her gift. Their destiny.

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

Supernova is a beautifully woven tapestry of storytelling, with past, present, and future threads overlapping wonderfully.

The characters, both main and supporting, are easy to attune to, making it virtually impossible not to love or hate them as C.L intended. 

Kerrigan is a strong female lead who knows what she wants and isn’t afraid to do whatever it takes to obtain it.  She’s thrown in a world of craziness after a devastating loss and handles it like a pro. 

Dominic is *sigh* the perfect guy.  Tough, sensitive, virile, drop-dead-gorgeous, and not afraid to give his heart and soul to the one who deserves it. 

Gabe, Kerrigan’s best friend, is the funniest character I have ever come across in a written work.  He’s completely hilarious and you will find yourself needing to know what he might do or say next, but he’s also loyal to a fault, a trait endearing in itself..

The emotion of the tale was gripping and real - even in a Fantasy setting - and lent well to immersing the reader in the character’s lives and their mystery. 

With just enough mystery, suspense, intrigue, romance and wit to keep you reading and wanting more, Supernova is a wonderful addition to the ranks of Paranormal Romance and Urban Fantasy alike. 

LITERAL ADDICTION gives Supernova 4 Skulls, and would recommend it to Paranormal Romance & Urban Fantasy readers far and wide, and anyone who wants a fresh take on the paranormal genre. 

I would have loved to have given it more than 4 Skulls, but having met, gotten to know, conversed with, and seen other written works by C.L over the past 9 months, I feel that she could have given just a little bit more in certain areas of the book.  Whether or not the decision not to was hers or someone else’s I’m not sure, but what I am sure of, is that I’m dying to read Cataclysm,  Book #2 of the Supernova Saga, because I have a feeling that I won’t feel this way at all with the next installment. J  

Supernova:

[Archive] LITERAL ADDICTION's Review of Black Heart Loa

Adrian Phoenix lives in Oregon (with three cats), travels to New Orleans (whenever possible), and writes passionate stories and novels.

Black Heart Loa, Book #2 of the Hoodoo series

Author:  Adrian Phoenix

Synopsis:
 “An eye for an eye is never enough.”
Kallie Rivière, a Cajun hoodoo apprentice with a bent for trouble, learned the meaning of those ominous words when hoodoo bogeyman Doctor Heron targeted her family for revenge. Now, while searching for her still-missing bayou pirate cousin, Kallie finds out the hard way that someone is undoing powerful gris gris, which means that working magic has become as unpredictable as rolling a handful of dice. The wards woven to protect the Gulf coast are unraveling, leaving New Orleans and the surrounding bayous vulnerable just as an unnatural storm—the deadliest in a century—is born. As the hurricane powers toward the heart of all she loves, Kallie desperately searches for the cause of the disturbing randomness, only to learn a deeply unsettling truth: the culprit may be herself. To protect her family and friends, including the sexy nomad Layne Vallin, Kallie steps into the jaws of danger . . . and finds a loup garou designed to steal her heart—literally.

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

I’m a huge Adrian Phoenix fan, and have devoured all of her Maker’s Song books and the 1^st book of the Hoodoo series, Black Dust Mambo, with gusto. 

Black Heart Loa picks up where Black Dust Mambo leaves off, with Kallie in a jam, her best friend, aunt, and love interest at her side – though dealing with their own dramas – and more upheaval than should be possible for 1 person.  In a nutshell, this installment was as brilliant as expected, and an amazing page turner from beginning to end.

In true Adrian Phoenix fashion, the characters were intense and deep, instigating a relationship with the reader from the very first introduction.  Not only do we get a return of all of our favorites from Black Dust Mambo, but we’re introduced to an entire cast of amazing new characters as well.  The only problem was that when the book ended, I  desperately wanted book #3 so I could find out what happens next, and what will happen to everyone.

Everything I look for in a fantastic Urban Fantasy was present in Black Heart Loa and more.  It had intrigue, mystery, suspense, deceit, romance, magic, mayhem, and action, all wrapped up in a beautifully written storyline  that hooks you, reels you in, and keeps you lusting for more. 

Three cheers for Adrian Phoenix and the Hoodoo series.  I actually find myself hard pressed to decide which of her series I like better now after reading Black Heart Loa.

LITERAL ADDICTION gives Black Heart Loa 5 Skulls, and would recommend it to all Dark Urban Fantasy, Urban Fantasy & Adrian Phoenix fans, as well as Paranormal Romance readers since this book had it’s fare share of hot and steamy moments.  I wouldn’t suggest trying to read Black Heart Loa as a stand alone, however.  You really need the build up and introduction that is offered by Black Dust Mambo, Book #1 of the Hoodoo series, to properly guide you into Black Heart Loa.  Believe me, you will not be disappointed that you waited to read it in order to read Black Dust Mambo first; it’s an incredible series and should be checked out by everyone! 

Black Heart Loa:

[Archive] LITERAL ADDICTION's Review of Unturned Stones

Scott Prussing was born in New Jersey, but was smart enough to move to beautiful San Diego as soon as he received his Master's degree in psychology from Yale University. 
In addition to writing, Scott enjoys hiking, riding his bicycle near the beach, and golf.

Unturned Stones

Author:  Scott Prussing

Synopsis:  Detective Robert Foster has been forced to resign from the San Diego Police Department for what his superiors call “insubordination.” Foster prefers to call it “thinking outside the box.” Either way, his days on the force are over—until he makes a surprising discovery. While surveying recent police incident reports provided to him by his ex-partner, he stumbles across three seemingly meaningless random assaults: a woman’s hand is amputated, a man’s leg is broken, and a transsexual is knocked unconscious and one of her breasts is burned off. As Foster looks more closely at the details, he recognizes something his former colleagues all missed—these attacks are SO different they must be related. “Planned randomness,” he labels it. The paradox intrigues him, until the violence escalates. When it begins moving closer and closer to home, Foster finds himself pulled into a stunning cat and mouse contest with a mysterious foe who seems to be every bit as clever and imaginative as Foster, if not more so!

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

Having read and thoroughly enjoyed both Paranormal Romance/Urban Fantasy and straight up Contemporary Romance from Scott, I was more than willing to take a chance on his mystery/suspense, especially since it had been way too long since I enjoyed a good murder mystery.

The first thing I’ll say, is that even though  I had read 3 books by Scott prior to Unturned Stones, reading this was like discovering a new favorite author all over again. 

The first thing that gripped me was the depth of character.  Without a lot of back story, Scott was able to weave a web of leading characters and their supporting cast that prompted an instant sense of bonding.  You knew, without a doubt and immediately, the characters that you were going to love, and those that you were going to love to hate (except when there was a twist thrown in where you weren’t sure you should be loving a certain character, as they just might be the bad guy). J 

The characters were very ‘real’ as well.  Heroes with very human quirks and weaknesses that just served to make them more endearing, heroines with independence and strength of character that made their relationships with the hero all the more enjoyable, etc.

Now, the story… I’m a connoisseur of James Patterson, Jeffrey Deaver, Iris Johansen, and several other incredible mystery/suspense authors, and this was one of the most unique plotlines I have ever encountered!  The thought that had to have gone into the intricacies of the mystery lending to the suspense and action was amazing.  Add in the psychological overtones and the impact of human psyche on an already incredible plot, and you have a hands down winner.  I think I changed my mind at least 4 times during the course of the story as to who I thought the bad guy would end up being, and when the last page was turned and the mystery was solved, I was still surprised, though I found myself thinking…”why didn’t I think of that!?”. That in itself is a testament to a fabulously written murder mystery.   J

LITERAL ADDICTION gives Unturned Stones 5 Skulls, and would recommend it to anyone who is looking for a gripping read chocked full of mystery, suspense, & intrigue, all wrapped up with a psychologically thrilling bow.  Unturned Stones was in a word… fantastic! 

Unturned Stones: