[Archive] LITERAL ADDICTION's Review of Rogue

A daydreamer at heart, Patricia A. Rasey, resides in her native town in Northwest Ohio with her husband, Mark, and her lovable Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Todd.

Ms. Rasey is a three-time recipient of the Word Weaving Award for Literary Excellence and a three-time winner of the prestigious RIO Award Of Excellence. She is also a three-time EPPIE finalist and was a 2001 nominee for Romantic Times Magazine's Best Electronic Book. Additionally, Twilight Obsessions and Twilight Visions, two anthologies she was a part of, was nominated for the PEARL, the Paranormal Excellence Award in Romantic Literature, in the Best Anthology category. Her short story, In The Mind of Darkness won the P&E 2002 Horror short story category.

When not behind her computer, you can find Patricia working, reading, watching movies or MMA. She also enjoys spending her free time at the river camping with her husband and two sons. Ms. Rasey is currently a third degree Black Belt in American Freestyle Karate.


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

Rogue
SONS OF SANGUE #4

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Vampire MC member Anton “Rogue” Balan, aka Blondy, has turned his back on the powerful Sons of Sangue, betraying the brotherhood he once considered his family. Or so his vampire brethren think. Changing his appearance, his persona, and signing up with rival gang, the Devils, Rogue has gone deep undercover to catch the La Paz Cartel’s kingpin. Having lost a woman he once thought he would spend eternity with, Rogue now feels he has nothing left to lose . . . that is until a temptation named Kimber James invades his dangerous world.

Strait-laced Kimber has a problem and his name is Anton Balan. After an impulsive night of passion with him more than a year ago, the small-town librarian still has the hots for the sexy biker next door. She can’t deny her desire for Anton, even though she suspects he’s hiding a secret even darker than his affiliation with an outlaw MC. As for Rogue, no matter how much he tries to refuse the scorching need he has for Kimber—as much as his duty depends on it—he’s powerless to deny his rising feelings for her. And when a blindside by an enemy he once trusted puts Kimber’s life at risk, Rogue’s tarnished honor is put to the ultimate test.

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

Like the rest of the Sons of Sangue series, Rogue grabs hold and doesn't let go.

Anton “Rogue” Balan, who used to be "Blondy" is working undercover with the police and Feds to catch the Cartel's leader. Unfortunately, that means lying to his brothers and everyone else, and getting involved with a rival MC that has an agenda he doesn't agree with. Not even a little. His life gets more complicated as the days pass, and that's made even worse when he returns home and runs into the ever-tempting Kimber.

Kimber and Anton had a relationship, but it didn't have time to go far before he was yanked away on his mission. Despite the time and distance and gossip, however, Kimber can't stop thinking about the sexy guy. She knows deep down, he's probably not good for her, but she wants him with an unending passion.

And the feelings are mutual. Anton can't stay away from Kimber, despite the danger and lies and evil that follow him. He's pulled in many directions, but one thing remains constant. His need to have the sexy librarian in his life.

Anton earned my heart in the 3rd book of the series, Gypsy. And quickly become one of my favorite heroes by the end of Rogue. With danger, intrigue, action, subterfuge, and a whole lotta sexy times, Patricia hit it out of the park with this installment of the Sons of Sangue.

I highly recommend this series to vampire romance and MC fiction readers, but I think just about anyone would be swept away by Patricia's writing and the entertainment she provides.

Rogue

[Archive] LITERAL ADDICTION's Review of Waylaid

Kim Harrison, author of the New York Times #1 best selling Hollows series, was born in Detroit and lived most her her life within an easy drive. She's currently working on the Peri Reed Chronicles, and when not at her desk, is most likely to be found landscaping her new/old Victorian home, in the garden, or on the links.
Kim reaches out to her audience at Facebook https://www.facebook.com/KimHarrisons...
Instagram
https://instagram.com/kim_harrison_au...
and her blog http://kimharrison.wordpress.com/

Waylaid

Kindle Single - Peri Reed/Hollows

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Worlds collide when Rachel Morgan of The Hollows meets Peri Reed of The Drafter in this exciting new short story from #1 New York Times bestselling author Kim Harrison.

The paranormal and the futuristic meet in this thrilling novella featuring your favorite badass heroines from two of “the amazingly gifted” (RT Book Reviews) Kim Harrison’s most beloved series: the Hollows and the Peri Reed Chronicles. The magic of the Hollows runs full force into the technological sophistication of The Drafter when a device capable of carrying a city’s data stream pulls Rachel, the bounty hunter witch of the Hollows, between realities, marooning her in a world where the supernatural holds no sway. To get Rachel and Jenks home, Peri, the dangerous renegade of 2030, must decide what will chart her future: her blind trust in those who grant her power, or her intuition telling her to believe.

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

I've been a fan of Kim's Hollows series for its duration, and jumped into Peri Reed book #1 on audio not long after it was released. I adore Rachel and the gang, and Peri surprisingly captured my heart, as well after finishing The Drafter. When I heard that a short story was being released marrying the worlds, my first thought was, "how?" The Hollows is all post-Turn Cincinnati, where witches and werewolves and vampires and demons abound. Peri Reed is very sci-fi, futuristic Detroit with loads of technology, etc. So, how, then would Kim bring the two together? Beautifully, that's how.

In a drunken stupor, Jack--Peri's partner, anchor and lover--goofs off and ends up summoning a demon through time and space with the help of  a device that he and Peri just retrieved and are set to deliver to their agency. That demon...none other than Rachel Morgan. 

When the two meet, sparks fly, as you can imagine. After all, the one thing we can always bank on with Kim Harrison books is a kickass heroine. And put two together and we have either a recipe for disaster or the makings of a perfect alliance. In Waylaid, it ends up being a little bit of both as Peri helps Rachel find a way to return home, and Rachel helps Peri uncover answers to some possible nefarious goings-on at her agency--in true Rachel Morgan/Peri Reed fashion (read: action-packed and trouble around every turn).

As a overall Kim Harrison fan, I found this short very, very enjoyable and the perfect break to a long day of work. I will say that if you are not completely caught up with the Hollows series, there are references to some things that can be spoilers, especially with regards to Rachel's love life and the state of things with the Collective, etc. And I definitely do not suggest reading this if you haven't read The Drafter. I have a feeling you would be really confused as to who Peri and Jack are, what type of world they live in, and how things work for them and those they work for. But...if you are all caught up and have read The Drafter, you definitely need to read this little piece of magic.

Waylaid

[Archive] LITERAL ADDICTION's Review of Shadow Rites

New York Times bestselling author Faith Hunter writes dark urban fantasy and paranormal thrillers, including the SKINWALKER series featuring Jane Yellowrock, and the series. series, featuring rogue-vampire hunter Jane Yellowrock, and the ROGUE MAGE series, a post-apocalyptic, alternate reality series, featuring Thorn St. Croix, a stone mage. She has a new series under wraps.

Under the pen name Gwen Hunter, she also writes action-adventure, mysteries, and thrillers.

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

Shadow Rites

SKINWALKER/JANE YELLOWROCK Book #10

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Jane Yellowrock has her hands full in the latest novel in the New York Times bestselling series that captures “the essence of urban fantasy” (SF Site).

Slaying vampires is child’s play for skinwalker Jane Yellowrock. But handling the complicated politics of New Orleans’ supernatural players is another story...

Jane is keeping the peace between visiting groups of witches and vamps in the city, but then trouble comes knocking on her doorstep. When her house is magically attacked, the wild chase to find her assailants unearths a mystery that has literally been buried deep.

A missing master vampire, presumed long deceased, is found chained in a pit...undead, raving mad, and in the company of two human bodies. Now it’s up to Jane to find out who kept the vampire hidden for so long and why, because the incident could tip already high supernatural tensions to an all-out arcane war.

Our review of Shadow Rites, by LITERAL ADDICTION's Alluring Angel - Kathy:
*Copy gifted in exchange for an honest review 

Speechless. That sums up my feelings after reading Faith Hunter's latest offering in the Jane Yellowrock series. Shadow Rites is a full-on punch in the gut. It leaves one breathless. Stunned. And yes, speechless.

As Jane continues to prepare for the unwelcome visit from the European vampires, she must also take time to finalize plans for the vampire and witch meeting that could bring about an agreement between the long-time enemies. But as usual, just when Jane seems to have a handle on things, her world takes a hard left into fubar town. A vampire long believed to be truly dead, is found. A victim of kidnapping, torture and blood magic. Someone wants to make sure that the vampire/witch accord is not signed. And it is obvious that no line will remain uncrossed in order to disrupt any hope of peace. Jane has to figure out the who and the how in order to stop this unknown deadly threat.

When other series begin to wan after awhile, Faith Hunter has found the magic formula that keeps a long-running series continually evolving. Each book is not only as good as the last, it is even better.

Shadow Rites

 

LITERAL ADDICTION's Review of Shadow Touched

Erin Kellison stories have always been a central part of Erin's life. She attempted her first book in the 6th grade, a dark fantasy adventure, and still has those early hand-written chapters. She graduated summa cum laude with a degree in English Language and Literature, and went on for a masters in Cultural Anthropology, focusing on oral storytelling. When she had children, nothing scared her anymore, so her focus shifted to writing fiction. She lives in Arizona with her two beloved daughters and husband, and she will have a dog (breed undetermined) when her youngest turns five. 

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

Shadow Touched

Shadow Touch #1 - #4

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“A dark and scrumptious treat.”—Alexandra Ivy

A darkness looms over humankind, lurks in mirrors, blurs boundaries—a twilight world ruled by powerful mage Houses. . .

It is bleeding into our world, bringing with it banshees, wraiths, fae from the twisting forests of Twilight. But Eleanor Russo’s problem is a very different kind of phenomenon. Her dark mirror image is a wild thing, willfully seducing the very man Ellie hoped could help her...

Dr. Cam Kalamos has devoted his career to exploring the boundaries between this world and Twilight. But nothing could prepare him for the mischief and mayhem of a soul split in two...

As Ellie and Cam explore their deepest desires and barely escape with their lives, there is only one certainty: Trusting in shadows is a dangerous game.

Includes the novellas “Shadow Touch,” “Shadow Play” and “Shadow Hunt,” plus the never before published “Shadow Burn.”

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

Shadow Touched is a collection of the previously released Shadow Touched novellas Shadow Touch, Shadow Play, and Shadow Hunt with one surprise. The final story, Shadow Burn is also included.

In the first part, Shadow Touch, we are introduced to Cam, a Segue Institute employee where they study Shadow, the magic from Twilight (Twilight is home to the Fae). Ellie, our heroine, has a unique problem. Her shadow can exist separately from her, but is much more feral. She’s having trouble controlling her shadow and goes to Segue for help. While there, she and Cam develop more than just a researcher/subject relationship.

Shadow Play picks up a few months after Shadow Touch. Cam and Ellie are working on their relationship and still trying to find a way to control her shadow, and Ellie is having a very hard time accepting who and what she is. She really kind of hates her shadow self. When Segue is called in to help rescue a child who is lured into Twilight, the action and unique storytelling take over full force, and then we meet the new supe-group in our wonderful world, the Mages.

Shadow Hunt is slightly darker than the first two, and even more action-packed and suspenseful. Cam and Ellie are dealing with the Mages and things get interesting. Cam is having trouble controlling the Shadow within him, and Ellie is still unsure what will happen with her relationship with Cam, especially since her shadow now plays a predominant role and her shadow self and Cam have their own unique type of bond.

Shadow Burn, the final, previously unpublished work was the perfect culmination of it all… Loads of action, emotion, and heart round out this wonderful bundle.

The Shadow series and its spin-offs remain one of my absolute favorites and I highly recommend this book (and Erin’s others) to all UF and PNR readers.

Shadow Touched

[Archive] LITERAL ADDICTION's Review of The Siege of Lady Aloria

Christina McKnight is a book lover turned writer. From a young age, her mother encouraged her to tell her own stories. She’s been writing ever since. Currently, she focuses on Historical Romance, Urban Fantasy, and Paranormal Romance.

Christina enjoys a quiet life in Northern California with her family, her wine, and lots of coffee. Oh, and her books…don’t forget her books! Most days she can be found writing, reading, or traveling the great state of California.

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

The Siege of Lady Aloria

A World of de Wolfe Pack Kindle Worlds Novella

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Lady Aloria has experienced firsthand what balls, betrothals, and the ensuing betrayals can do to a woman. To heal her heart, Aloria’s aim is to simply survive her final grand ball before her twenty-fourth birthday, and hope that her parents finally come to terms with her spinsterhood and allow her to retire to the country in peace.

Unfortunately, Marcus Adair, the Duke of Wolfeton, has other plans for her future. In town to secure a bride, he has set his sights on Aloria, and no other woman will do. But after a chance meeting in a darkened hallway, Marcus realizes he not only needs Aloria in his life; he desires her above all others.

Can Lady Aloria forget her scandalous past to build a future with the Duke of Wolfeton?

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

I will admit. I don't read a ton of regency romances. Not because I don't like them, just simply because I prefer the darker stuff. Christina McKnight has, once again, made me question that. This novella was beautifully done, captivating, enchanting, and perfectly paced.

Set in Christina's Lady Forsaken world with ties to Kathryn Le Veque's de Wolfe Pack novels, we meet Lady Aloria, a voluptuous 24 year old in her last season, wanting to simply get it over with and retire to the country estate for some peace. She's had nothing but bad luck with love, and is kind of over it all. In her last ball celebrating her birthday, she stumbles upon the Duke of Wolfeton. He is, of course, perfect. But he has secrets, and those secrets may just be enough to break her.

While Marcus came to the ball to get to know Lady Aloria in an attempt to garner the attention of her father and gain access to his ships to move some cargo and hopefully get himself out of the mountain of debt his father left him with, he never expected to feel such a pull towards the hostess. But ton gossip spreads fast, and his chances with her almost end up being over before they begin.

The Siege of Lady Aloria is a wonderfully written tale of gaining trust, learning to love (both others and oneself) and second chances. I highly recommend it!!

The Siege of Lady Aloria

[Archive] LITERAL ADDICTION's Review of The Reaping

Tigris Eden is a military brat who's done her fair share of travelling, thanks to her Army father. She's married to the infamous LL and has three boys. She currently resides in Houston and is actively seeking a book-buddy for the end of the world.

You can find Tigris on Twitter, Facebook, and at her website.

Tigris is the proud creator of the Shadow Unit, New Earth, V Vices, Stories from Beauville, Romantic Tales Bedtime Stories, and Arctic Wolves series.

The Reaping

ARCTIC WOLVES #1.5

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The Reaping was supposed to be three trials. Three trials, Victor Canidae had to complete and in doing so–he’d successfully earn Nerina Simpson as his mate.

Three Trials. For him only.

But the Goddess Selene has plans of her own. Plans that are far reaching and affect not only Pack Canidae, but Clan Denali. A concern that has all of the Northern territory pulling out their claws.

The council all agree, Nerina is not the answer, in turn, bringing back insecurities and concerns, Victor thought long buried. But with this new twist in the mix, there’s only three things either of them can do.

Face their fears,

Face each other.

And above all, do not fail.

Quick and Dirty Review, by LITERAL ADDICTION's Pack Alpha - Michelle:

An action-packed bridge novella in the world of Tigris's Arctic Wolves series, we get to experience the emotional ups and downs of Nerina and Victor as they undergo the Reaping. To me, personally, this novella had a lot of real world lessons that were hinted at. Ones that each and every one of us has either learned or needs to learn--insecurity, loss, difficult choices, bias, and so many more. I really like Nerina, and it was wonderful to see her and Victor come out on top after being put through the wringer. :) Complex world-building and suspense around every turn. I'm excited for more in the world of the Arctic Wolves.

The Reaping

[Archive] LITERAL ADDICTION's Review of Tempted by a Vampire

About Susan Griscom:

“I daydream often. If I didn’t write, I think my mind would explode from an overload of fantasy and weirdness. To the annoyance of my friends and family, my characters sometimes become a part of my world. During my childhood, I would frequently get in trouble in school for daydreaming. Eventually, my vivid imagination paid off and I had the privilege of writing and co-directing my sixth-grade class play—a dreadful disaster; though not from my writing, of course, I must blame it on the acting.

The craft of writing, although dormant for years, never really left me. Many years later, and with the help of technology, I let my imagination run wild again.

Born in a small town in Pennsylvania, I enjoy writing about characters living in small quaint towns. I tend to lean toward the unusual and spooky. I read all genres but I love reading paranormal romance and like writing in that genre.

My paranormal playing field delves into a different milieu, abandoning vampires and werewolves, but not discounting them. Someday I might like to write a novel about vamps and those furry creatures. But for now I like the bizarre mixed with romance. A strong hero or heroine confronted with extraordinary forces of nature, powers and capabilities gets my blood running.

I live in Northern California with my very romantic husband, my small yippy dog, Riley, and my humungous black cat, Saké. My family consists of his and her children; four wonderful sons and one beautiful daughter, six grandchildren and another on the way. My greatest love in life is my family and those large and ever growing holiday dinners.

I enjoy traveling. I hate running, but do it once in a while. Reading and writing are my favorite pastimes.”

Keep up with Susan online at her: Blog | Website | on Facebook | Twitter|Goodreads | and her Amazon Author Page.

Tempted by a Vampire
IMMORTAL HEARTS OF SAN FRANCISCO #1

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Cian DeMarco, a sexy, rockstar billionaire vampire has lived in San Francisco's prestigious Cliff Side neighborhood in his beautiful mansion overlooking both the San Francisco Bay and the Pacific Ocean for seventy years. Happily—or so he thought. Until the rare beauty that is Magdalena De la Rosa sits down at one of the front-row tables in Club Royal where he and his band perform once a week.

Magdalena De la Rosa has it all—Bachelor's degree in journalism, a job she loves in California, a gorgeous apartment in San Francisco, and a dream guy. Except her boyfriend lives and works in Sacramento—an hour and a half drive from the city Magdalena has always fantasized about living in. All her dreams change, however, when she and her girlfriend find their way into an upscale nightclub and she's suddenly swept off her feet by the lead singer of that night's performing rock band, The Lost Boys.
Sparks ignite between the two until a threat that was thought to no longer exist returns to wreak havoc on Cian's and Magdalena's lives. Will the temptation to be together outweigh the reality of what Cian must do to keep Magdalena safe from harm?

A stand-alone book. The first in the all-new Immortal Hearts of San Francisco series. 18+ due to adult content.
Our review, by LITERAL ADDICTION's Pack Alpha - Michelle:
Just in time for Halloween, we get a new vampire read. But don't expect just your dark and dangerous, it's sexy as sin, as well.

Cian DeMarco is a smoldery rockstar vampire living in San Francisco, playing with his band The Lost Boys (a group of vampires). His creation is a bit tragic, but his life is not. He loves the current age, his quiet, unassuming existence, doing what he loves in the city of his soul. Until he meets Magdalena and realizes there could be so, SO much more... He realizes there was something missing in his life and she's it.

Magdalena De la Rosa has a douchey boyfriend, but has temporarily left him behind to pursue her dream in San Francisco with her best friend. She's kind of let people walk over her a bit, even if she has taken the initiative to go and live her dream. When Cian enters her world, she begins to realize that sometimes you just can't plan for things. Sometimes they just happen and in the strangest of ways. And sometimes...it's worth it to throw caution to the wind. I will admit, I didn't like her at first. I thought she was a bit naive, but as the book continued, I saw her strengths immerge. I saw the lightbulbs go on and her decide to grab the reins.

Magdalena and Cian's relationship is full of tension. Slightly from within, of course (I mean he's a vampire, she's not sure how she feels about that, and they just met, what the heck do these irresistible feelings all mean!?), but more so from without. Cian's estranged maker is back and she wants "her boys"--Cian and his brother--back. And she's just crazy enough to do whatever it takes to get them (I mean seriously crazy!), and Maggie's stalker-ex has some major territorial issues and causes his own brand of trouble.

A thrilling and sexy thrill-ride. If you like your vampire fiction, I definitely suggest Tempted by a Vampire. Admittedly, there's nothing overtly unique about it (slightly difficult in a market that was saturated a handful of years ago with vampire paranormal romance), but in its own right it's exciting--likable characters, a titillating romance... And it's well done and well-written (plenty of quoteworthy moments!)

I think Susan has created a series that fans will be excited to jump into again and again (I know personally, there are some side characters that I am desperate to learn more about!). Go ahead, get tempted.
Tempted by a Vampire