Roaring Midnight by Colleen Gleason

Review of Roaring Midnight by Colleen Gleason

Roaring Midnight was a definite treat to read and a great addition to her urban fantasy series the Gardella Vampire Chronicles, though this is the first book in which we meet Macey Denton a.k.a. Macey Gardella on which this book in centered. This was my first opportunity to read Gleason’s writing and I’m delighted to say that I will definitely be checking out her other novels as well as the upcoming additions to this series.

The time period is set in Capone’s era. Flappers, spiffy spats, gangsters, and vampires. Gleason did an excellent job pulling you into the world she’s created including setting descriptions, clothing, and slang-filled dialogue. It was as if I could taste the boot-legged whisky and smell the cigar smoke as I followed Macey’s story.

Macey Denton began this tale as a small town girl who’d realized her dream and moved to the big city of Chicago. Working her dream job at the University Library and spending her evenings dancing the night away with her friends. She was in love with the city she called home, and pretty happy in general where her life was concerned. Then an extremely old book managed to end up in her hands, inside of which she read of vampires and those who hunted them. A far cry from the classic Dracula story which held her interest, then in turn gave her night terrors about all those creatures who go bump in the night. A few short days later a stranger approached her at the library asking for Macey Gardella, Gardella being the family name the untitled old book had centered around, and from that point on her life was irrevocably changed.

Macey was faced with many trials in this story and you were given the opportunity to see her grow in strength and character in both her failures and successes. She’s stubborn, loyal, and strong-willed yet remains aware of her weakness and has no problem admitting to them. She’s human, and her compassion and hopes and dreams for her future work to keep her grounded in her new world full of monsters. I really liked this heroine and am truly looking forward to seeing how she’ll grow into in the next installment and what affects it will have to her life and calling.

There were several male characters in this story that caught Macey’s eye. Sebastian and Chas were both drool-worthy in my opinion but Grady was the one who ended up stealing her heart. Their romance had the perfect recipe of banter, chemistry, and steam for a successful set-up to an on-going series. Immediately after finishing this book I had to go look to see when the next book would be released as I am definitely looking forward to reading more about these two.

To sum up I found Roaring Midnight to be a refreshing take on the ‘Vampire Hunter’ theme. I’ve always had a bit of interest in the twenties and Gleason did an excellent job bringing the city ran by Capone to life in my mind. If you enjoy relatable characters, vampires, those who hunt them, a sweet yet complicated romance, and of course gangsters toting tommy-guns I highly recommend you pick this title up.

***ARC provided by publisher

Review originally posted at Ramblings From This Chick

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Review of Don't Bite the Bridesmaid by Tiffany Allee

Review of Don't Bite the Bridesmaid by Tiffany Allee

Not wanting to disappoint her family as well as show her ex-boyfriend that she hasn’t moved on from the train wreck that was their relationship, Alice Shepard is on the hunt for a date for her sister’s upcoming wedding. Being hurt and loaded with baggage has kept her off the dating scene causing her even more difficulty finding someone who could pull off acting as though they were together, as well as being someone she wouldn’t mind being cooped up with in the close confines of a cruise ship for several days. Not wanting to ask a coworker because she’s worried about the awkwardness that would surely result after her sister has tied the not, she feels she has no options other than asking her very handsome and stoic neighbor. It helps that she’s been obsessing over him since she first set eyes on him after moving in, but also adding a whole other level of stress to trying to accomplish her goal of showing everyone that she’s emotionally sound and able to find a man for herself without their intervention.

Noah Thorpe has watched his neighbor since she moved into the place next door. Though, from both an great emotional and physical distance. Being a vampire and under threat of being forced into a union he wishes to avoid from his maker, he has no dreams of doing more than enjoying Alice from a distance. To his shock he, in the most opportune time, he’s offered a proposition from the young woman that he has little option other than accepting. He needs to get out of town, and spending time on a cruise ship out of the view of his peers is the perfect cover. However, it doesn’t go unheeded that he will be closer to the creature he’s been working so hard to avoid than ever. Worrisome that his desires and her temptation seem to rise exponentially relative to their proximity. 

This was my first opportunity to read Tiffany Allee’s works and I truly enjoyed myself. This was a very light read full of many sweet and endearing moments. As well as the steamy and dreamy chemistry between Alice and Noah. Though their relationship grew at a quick rate, Allee did a great job of starting it off with a simmer and ending with a lively boil. Taken on the journey of these two falling in love you definitely get to enjoy watching them battle their own insecurities as well as fight for what they truly want in their lives. Finishing this book has left me interested in checking out other titles from Allee’s Sons of Kane series. If you are looking for an enjoyable light read about a sweet romance, and two strong individuals finding themselves through the ones they love I can genuinely recommend you pick up this book.

***ARC provided by publisher

Review originally posted at Ramblings From This Chick

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Review of Dire Desires by Stephanie Tyler

Review of Dire Desires by Stephanie Tyler

Dire Desires is the third installment in the Eternal Wolf Clan series written by Stephanie Tyler. I will admit that jumping in on the third book was a little challenging at the start due to the story being told from several characters points of view, and their histories with each other, but not so difficult that it detracted from the story. Which I highly enjoyed. Stephanie Tyler has been an author I’ve had in my TBR pile for a while and am happy I got the opportunity to dive in.

Jinx is a Dire Wolf, (think immortal super werewolf) and he can see ghosts. After being tricked into opening Purgatory in the previous book he is now dealing with the fallout. Not only is he currently on the outs with his King, but his brother is in a coma and he’s discovered that several beasts from Purgatory have escaped into the world. Now focusing on tracking down the monsters before they do too much damage he gets a lead on one wreaking havoc in a local psychiatric hospital. On the way to check it out Jinx, and his vampire roommate Jez, get word that a wolf has been a patient there for several years after her parents believed her to be suffering from mental illness. Once Jinx walks into her holding room he is not only shocked to discover that she is in fact a Dire wolf, but also his mate.

Gillian has been living in a drugged up haze for the past several years. A traumatic event in her past caused her adoptive parents to have her locked up fearing that she was dangerous to herself and those around her. In her muddled mind she knows she doesn’t belong in a hospital, but she also knows she doesn’t feel like a normal human being anymore. Under the cover of darkness she often escapes to run through the forest located behind the facility. She always returns though, believing that there is no place for her to go. Then out of the blue a man walks into her room claiming he’s there to rescue her. Get her out of that horrible place. She knows in her head that she shouldn’t trust him, but something inside her is telling her to go to him. That he is someone who will change her life for the better. That he is offering her the chance at freedom she’s been yearning for.

Though Jinx and Gillian’s relationship can be categorized as insta-love, as so many in this genre tend to be, it works for me in this book. Jinx treading water in his depression and self-loathing had been granted a gift in the form of a beautiful, strong woman to cherish and protect. Taking hold of his heart and pulling him out of the depths of his despair. Being a prisoner herself, due to misunderstandings by all parties in her life, Gillian was rescued by a strong and caring man who offered her freedom, love, and the chance to get to know herself as the woman she truly is. Under his protection she is given the opportunity to explore every aspect of being a Dire, and while there are several surprises along this journey you can feel the happiness that Gillian projects at getting the opportunity to thrive as the person she was born to be.

This book was fairly quick paced. Full of action and romance. The sideline plots were also an interesting detour from the main storyline and appear that they are an extension from the two previous books in the series. The supporting characters all added greatly to the world Stephanie has created here and I found myself wanting to read the previous installments so I can get a better handle on their stories. I will also be waiting patiently for the next book in this series to be written and released. 

In summary, if you like strong alpha males...and even stronger female heroines thrown into a paranormal world of magic, love, and hellhounds I definitely recommend you pick up this title.

***ARC provided by Netgalley

Review originally posted at Ramblings From This Chick

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Review of Bitter Disenchantment by Shawntelle Madison

Review of Bitter Disenchantment by Shawntelle Madison

This novella focuses on Aggie McClure, the outspoken red-headed sidekick of Natalya Stravinsky, the main character of Coveted. This story is written as a prequel to the series letting the reader in on the events surrounding Aggie’s arrival in South Toms River, New Jersey.

Having not read Coveted yet this was my first time experiencing these characters as well as Madison’s writing. I am looking forward to checking out the series now since I found this book to be a quick tease leaving me curious to discover what happens next to the characters I was introduced to.

Aggie was looked on as having it all. Being the only offspring of the Alpha werewolf of the Manhattan Pack and destined heir. Though in reality she was faced with many obstacles that some readers could connect to. Having been born with her father wishing she was a boy, dealing with the unhappy separation of her parents, as well as being forced into an arranged marriage.

Determined to face the trials set before her and emerge the victor Aggie takes her life into her own hands and makes some incredibly difficult choices. She’s fighting for everything she holds dear, including a future where she gets to live her life in a manner of her own choosing.

Madison has created a very strong heroine both in body and mind. This story was a smooth read, full of plots that added in the growth of Aggie’s character. Allowing the reader the opportunity to see what adversities and choices she had to face to become the person she is in the Coveted series. Action, romance, and mystery are all combined to give you a well fleshed out story. If you are a fan of Madison’s Coveted series I definitely suggest you read this as I think it will add to the overall experience. If like me you are new to this author I still say go ahead and check this title out. It could quite possibly turn you onto a new series to follow as it happily did for me.

***ARC provided by Netgalley

Review originally posted at Ramblings From This Chick

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Review of Hook's Pan by Marie Hall

Review of Hook's Pan by Marie Hall

I would like to begin this review by stating that this was my first time reading Marie Hall’s works and thus was my first experience with her Kingdom Series. Though I had no basis to judge this book beforehand I was a little worried that my excitement with the premise of this story would be shattered by corny dialogues and overly lust-filled characters that would scar my love for this story as a child. I am so happy to announce that I not only LOVED this story, but found it was extremely well written. Her immaculate character and world building had the whimsical settings and well fleshed characters easily taking over my imagination.

Captain James Hook is portrayed in this story entirely different from what I’ve ever known him to be. He’s brooding, self-destructive, and on a quest for vengeance. Peter Pan took something from him, far more valuable than any trinket or treasure, and he wouldn’t rest until the ageless nuisance had been removed from Neverland and adjoining worlds forever. His fairy Godmother Danika, the fairy with a soft spot in her heart for the bad boys of Kingdom, feared that Hook had reached the point of no return. The edge of an abyss that once entered will never leave his soul in peace. Refusing to allow that to happen to one of her charges she’d given in to the fact that she’s run out of time and must take the chance to fix one of the worst injustices in Neverland before it’s too late for them all.

Trishelle, or Trisha as she preferred to be called, began this tale in a dark place. The anniversary of her sister’s death still weighing heavily on her heart and mind. Fighting to keep a well adjusted and carefree mask on her face has taken its toll. She doesn’t believe in love, so many experiences in her life proving that it doesn’t exist anywhere outside of the day dreams she refused to let herself have, and fairy tales. Suddenly, on the beating wings of a impatient fairy, her world was tossed topsy turvy. All things familiar ripped away by roaring tides, and replaced centrally in the dark, star strewn eyes of a man that saw into her soul as much as he called to her body.

Though both Hook and Trisha show no fear of the lust they have for one another, their emotional relationship was as fragile as a house of cards. The slightest breeze from fairy wings, the devilish delights of an old though forever young adversary, and the tic toc of a weighing count down, all threatened to crush their hearts and their future.

This tale swept me up in a world of fantasy and steamy romance while reintroducing me to characters I loved as a child. Though I did find myself trading teams on who I rooted for from the classical renditions. Hook was a dastardly seafaring rogue who had as little use for apologies and weakness as he did a television set from the modern world. He was rough and I loved him for it. Trisha was so headstrong. Refusing to settle for anything other than the life she felt she deserved. One where she could hold true to herself, and not be consumed by the person she’d once been. Though they were hot and heavy in the bedroom, I found their journey to discover their feelings for each other a sweet and beautiful experience. After finishing this book I immediately sought out the previous four installments in Hall’s Kingdom series. If anything in this review has caught your eye, imagination, or love for an old story revisited I highly recommend you check this one out.

***ARC provided by Netgalley

Review originally posted at Ramblings From This Chick

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Review of Tempted By A Cowboy by Vicki Lewis Thompson

Tempted By A Cowboy by Vicki Lewis Thompson

This novella by Vicki Lewis Thompson is the second installment in her Perfect Man series. Though I generally lean towards paranormal romance and urban fantasy I couldn’t help but pick up this title. After all, what country girl doesn’t have a thing for cowboys....right? After finishing this story I was very pleased I’d given into the temptation (see what I did there? Haha!).

The story begins innocently enough. Fletch watching over his favorite broodmare’s worrisome labor with Astrid, his vet and the woman who’d caught and held his eye for sometime now. He’s aware of Astrid’s ‘no client dating’ policy, but is willing to put in the time to make her change her mind. Little did he know after a first kiss, a near death experience, and a harrowing rescue in the space of one evening, he’d get his chance sooner than he’d ever thought possible.

Astrid has long been attracted to Fletch. Her favorite client and the most caring man she’d ever met. Be it for the men who called him boss, or the animals in his care. Astrid’s need to keep her business strictly business to avoid damaging the reputation of her clinic was not the only reason she worked to dampen her feelings for this man. The knowledge that they were from two very different worlds was always a nagging thought in the back of her mind. But upon seeing how easily life could be taken from her, priorities begin to shift and all those obstacles seem to dim in light of a chance at the life she’s always wanted for herself.

This was a quick and very enjoyable read. Fletch will warm your heart from the first page. Astrid’s strength and independence is commendable, and her love for her work and the animals in her care endearing. Their romance is steamy and though moves a little quick you definitely get the feeling that this has been brewing since far before page one. If you are looking for a little something to pass some time and leave you with that ‘feel good’ feeling of a happily ever after I can easily recommend you pick this up.

***ARC provided by Netgalley

Review originally posted at Ramblings From This Chick

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Review of South of Surrender by Laura Kaye

South of Surrender by Laura Kaye

South of Surrender is the third installment in Laura Kaye’s Hearts of Anemoi paranormal romance series and once I began reading I was thrilled to discover that I could easily follow this story without having read the previous two titles in the series. However, after finishing this book I will definitely be picking up the previous books as well as checking out more series written by this author. Yes, I enjoyed this book that much!

Much to my delight this story began with a wonderful magic-laced action packed scene that immediately grabbed my full attention and had me holding my breath for the hero of this tale, Chrysander Notos. As a member of the Anemoi, God of the South Wind and Summer, it’s his season and therefore the responsibility to hunt his brother Eurus has fallen on his shoulders. Trying to find a way to bring his wayward brother back to his family and return him back to the good graces of the Olympian Gods, Chrys discovers that the situation is far more dire than he’d previously suspected and that his brother may have moved far beyond the possibility of redemption. 

In this first scene Chrys and Eurus face off, but Chry’s slight hesitation costs him dearly. Sending him falling from the sky, gravely injured, and as his mind darkens he’s only hoping that he will survive and get another chance to fix his mistake.

Laney Summerlyn is a young, strong-willed woman who does not let her disability hold her back. She has a degenerative eye condition that has taken away most of her sight. Rising to the challenge to live her life the ways she pleases and utilizing the skills her doctors and specialists have taught her, she moves through her home and ranch with confidence. Caring for her rescue horses and continuing her free-lance writing career. Seth, her closest friend and ranch hand, helps her most days in tasks she is unable to do herself and to generally keep an eye on her. Though thankful for his concern, and grateful for their friendship, Laney remains steadfast in her plans to remain independent. Fight her own battles. And stand on her own two feet. So even when an abnormally violent storm rages over her home in the middle of the night, she does not let her fear keep her from reaching the barn to comfort her frightened horses. What she hadn’t been expecting was finding a man that would end up changing her view of the world more than the loss of her sight did.

Chrys and Laney are taken on a journey of discovery in this story. Both within themselves, facing their own personal insecurities and fears, as well as learning their place in the ever changing world they call home. Their relationship beginning with an unshakeable trust in each other that has them questioning why they continue to fight so hard to remain not just independent, but alone. While Chrys struggles to keep Laney safe and out of harm’s he finds himself humbled and absolutely astounded as time after time this fragile human puts herself in the line of fire to protect him. These acts, among many other honorable traits, batter away at the wall he’s erected around his life and his heart and make it extremely difficult for this God to keep pushing her away. Even if he feels it’s her best option for survival. 

Laney, always ready to stand up for those she cares about be them horses, friends, or a particular handsome God who’s rekindled a fire inside her she’d thought lost, takes the drastic changes to her life in stride. Being in the right place at the right time she stumbled into a world where her life is under seemingly constant threat from a mad God. Her disability leaving her more vulnerable than most, but she has already accepted her lot in life in that manner. She didn’t let losing her sight break her, and she wasn’t ready to give up on the chance of a future with a man that had her feeling more alive than she’d ever thought possible. A man who saw her instead of her disability, as well as rejoiced in her strength and character rather than drown her in pity.

Kaye has brought to life two characters that you fall in love with individually, but together truly become a force to be reckoned with. Both fiercely loyal and protective of each other. Each making the other face their own insecurities and drown them out with love and acceptance. The supporting characters in this story were also a treat to read about, many being from Kaye’s previous installments in this series. You get to witness them come together as a family to care for each other, grieve those lost, and fight for their future. As previously stated I will be reading the first two novels in this series so that I can experience their stories, as well as be waiting for the next book in this series to be released.

***ARC provided by Netgalley

Review originally posted at Ramblings From This Chick

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Review of Runes by Ednah Walters

Runes by Ednah Walters

Runes is the first novel in Ednah Walter’s Runes series. Being a young adult urban fantasy novel I was a little hesitant to pick this title up seeing how the synopsis appeared far too similar to the many recently released books in this genre. But, after the first few pages I was hooked and after finishing it, so thankful that I gave this story a chance.

One thing that stood out at the beginning of this story was our leading lady, Raine Cooper, was written with seemingly more maturity than the rest of her friends and classmates. I feel this worked for the story as she was still in the process of dealing with her feelings surrounding her missing father. Her mother working crazy hours to keep the family business afloat often leaving her home alone to care for herself. Anyone dealing with family issues of this sort would tend to age rather quickly, and her focus on her schoolwork and favorite extra-curricular activities as a means of coping was very believable. 

Out of the blue Raine meets her new neighbor Torin. Handsome, mysterious, amusingly arrogant, and an immediate thorn in her side from that point on. From their first meeting she can’t deny that there’s something about him that pulls her towards him, calls to her, but he is a stranger and her trust is hard won. Though, try as she might to keep her distance Raine is quickly drawn into a world of magic, danger, and hidden secrets from her own past that will forever leave her life changed.

This story had a mostly even pace and kept me reaching for the next page. Lots of twists and turns, and a little Norse mythology that added originality to the main plot line. Raine and Torin’s relationship grew throughout the book and it was a joy to watch them recognize and come to terms with the feelings they had for each other. Enough angst added to get you more than a little frustrated at the two for fighting what they wanted from each other, but more than enough to take them out of insta-love territory and little enough that the story did not drag and leave you wanting to give up on them altogether. 

I really liked the fact that this story was set in my own backyard, so to speak. Just outside of Portland, Oregon, and one scene in particular taking place at Multnomah Falls which is one of my favorite places to visit on a warm summer day. The relationships Raine has with her mother and two best friends were well written and added a lot of depth in the story, as well as Raine’s character growth in general. It was nice to see them brought along for the ride, and always there for their friend.

I found this book to be an enjoyable read. The ending was not to my particular taste, quite a cliffhanger, but did create a need for me to pick up the second installment in this series upon its release. The writing was well done and I truly found myself wanting to know what comes next for these two characters that I grew to care about. If you enjoy a sweet young adult romance sprinkled with a little magic and myth I suggest you check this one out.

***ARC provided by Netgalley

Review originally posted at Ramblings From This Chick

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Review of Captive by K.M. Fawcett

Captive by K.M. Fawcett

An epic beginning to a wonderful new paranormal romance series.  From the very first page this story grabbed my attention as our lead female character raced to save innocent people from a raging forest fire. Right in the midst of chaos she was ripped away from everything she’d ever known and forced into a world determined to break her spirit, and own her soul.

Addy Dawson awakes after nearly drowning while trying to escape a forest fire to find herself in a world she doesn’t recognize. And, with a handsome and very naked man lying next to her. Scared, confused, and also naked Addy confronts him only to hear that they are both being held against their will on an alien planet. Though at first she thinks him crazy, it doesn’t take long for the evidence to manifest itself and for her to realize that what Max had been telling her was the truth.

Fawcett’s world building was fantastic in this story. From the illusions surrounding the ‘yard’ to the harsh landscapes of a frozen world beyond, I could close my eyes and easily envision it all. The story is mostly written from Addy and Max’s point of view. Another character has the lime-light a bit here and there towards the end, seemingly to help fill some parts of the story you’d otherwise miss if reading only from the views of the main characters. I truly enjoyed getting inside both characters heads. Getting to experience Max’s mixed feelings towards Addy and how he had to fight so hard to overcome his personal insecurities and beastly nature was incredibly endearing. I found myself rooting for him from the very beginning. Addy was so strong throughout her journey. The odds were stacked against her from the start as she was forced to deal with obstacle after horrible obstacle, fighting for her survival. Her internal struggles pulled at my heart and I found myself connecting very easily with her. By the time I finished this book I found that I truly cared for these two characters and didn’t want their story to end.

The romance between these two began as a heavy case of lust at first sight. Throughout the story they unknowingly fell deeper and deeper into each other until they were left with a relationship built on a strong foundation of trust, mutual respect, and unshakeable love. The combination of originality in plot-line, fantastic world building, and well paced action meshed beautifully with a simmering romance to create an epic and enjoyable read. I will be anxiously awaiting the next installment in this series.

***ARC provided by Netgalley

Review originally posted at Ramblings From This Chick

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Review of Burning by J.M. Gregoire

Burning by J.M. Gregoire

Burning is a short story prequel to the Demon Legacy series being written by J.M. Gregoire. I received this story from the author and immediately devoured it. It's a real short read, but a good one that leaves you anticipating the series, as well as rooting for Lucas to exact his revenge. In a very short time it gives you a decent enough amount of background to get a taste for the world Lucas and Natalia call home. I enjoyed the little time I got to spend in Gregoire's head and am looking forward to 'The Devil You Know', Book #1 of the Demon Legacy Series which is expected at this point to be coming out in June of this year.

A great big thank you to Gregoire for giving me the opportunity to read her work and allowing me to hang in her head for a little while. If you like to torture yourself with teasers for upcoming literary adventures be sure to check this out!

***ARC provided by author for review

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Review of Incendiary by Amy A. Bartol

Incendiary by Amy A. Bartol

I picked up this series on a referral from another author and am so thankful I did! 

Incendiary is the fourth installment in Amy A. Bartol’s Premonition Series and I truly believe that Evie’s story gets better and better with each one. I will admit that I read all four books, in order, in four days. The beginning of the first book hooked me and I couldn’t stop reading until I ran out of words.

This installment begins where the previous book left off. The gang is back together again but a HEA still remains far out of reach. Brennus is Hell bent on getting Evie back and has decided that doing so by any means necessary is the new game plan. While being under constant assault of stress and pressure to keep those she loves safe, we get to watch Evie’s character grow by leaps and bounds. Both emotionally, as well as her angel abilities. The men in her life, both of romantic and platonic relations, continue to try to order her about to keep her from harm. At this point she’s had enough. Tired of sitting back while her ‘family’ continues to fight her battles. Evie steps up in this book and shows the world what she’s capable of, that she’s truly a force to be reckoned with.

It’s really hard to share thoughts on specific events without spoiling it for those who haven’t read the previous three books. So here I will just say that the love Evie and Reed share for each other is still an extremely strong thread through this book. The love she has for her self claimed ‘family’ (Zephyr, Buns, Brownie, and Russell) remains solid, though there is quite a surprise waiting for Russ early on. Evie still struggles with her feelings for Brennus and the Fellas but she knows her heart is taken...and that she belongs with those she calls family. Though, like Russ, she too has some pretty shocking surprises thrown at her.

To wrap up, I loved this book! The book is extremely well written (some of the best I’ve seen from self-published authors) and the story so far has been a true delight. It’s a complete package of love, laughter, heartache, and the struggle to challenge fate and live your life as you see fit. No other author has been able to make me truly feel for the baddies, but Brennus and the Fellas have wiggled their way into my heart. Russell and Evie’s connection can be heart-wrenching at times, but the honest love they have for each other shines beautifully. Buns and Brownie continue to leave me in stitches. Those crazy Reapers are lethal when it comes to a verbal lashing and throw sarcasm like pro’s. Zephyr’s dominant warrior attitude at one point landing him in the dog house, and lack of understanding in terms of modern day relationships had me cracking up and praying for Buns to take it easy on the poor boy. And last but not least. Reed and Evie are still one of my favorite book couples. His undying love for her blazes like a beacon in the darkest night. And the way she calls to his heart? The steady beating of a fierce heart combined with a fragile, lilting melody, drifting through the foggy mist of her numerous trials and tribulations.

I definitely recommend you add this book to your TBR list, but highly suggest you read the previous three books first, starting with Inescapable.

***This title was purchased by reviewer

Review originally posted at Ramblings From This Chick

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Review of The Demon's Song by Kendra Leigh Castle

The Demon's Song by Kendra Leigh Castle

The Demon’s Song is the first novel I’ve read from Kendra Leigh Castle. It is the beginning to her new Hearts of the Fallen series that appears to be centered around a group of fallen angels who’ve literally escaped Hell to start a new life. I wasn’t quite sure what I was getting into when I started reading this, but I will say I didn’t set my kindle down until I’d finished it!

This story is told from the points of view of Phenex, a fallen angel who’d once been the Angel of Song, and Sofia, a human nurse who stumbles into a scene out of a horror movie and quickly gets tossed into a world containing all sorts of creatures that go ‘bump’ in the night.

I liked Phenex from the start. Mulish and brooding, easily portraying the assumed nature of a fallen angel viewing humans as being little more than talking monkeys who spend too much time on those pesky things called feelings, and the ridiculous notion of mortal love. Until he haphazardly ran into a young woman who oddly caught his attention...and kept it.

Sofia, on a mission to rescue her friend from herself, snuck into one of the hottest clubs in town and walked in on her friend being drained dry by a nasty vampire. She managed to defend herself from his initial attack, but the tall and gorgeous musician she’d ran into earlier in the evening managed to jump in and land the final blow finishing him off. This first glimpse we get of Sofia’s character showed that she was strong and solid in the face of danger and chaos. Something that would appear to make her good at her occupation, being an emergency room nurse. The veil of her normal life was immediately ripped away from her as from that point on she discovered that so many of those creatures she’d believed to be myth were living all around her. Fallen angels, vampires, werewolves, demons...all real. And for those threatening the safety of Terra Noctem, an underground Vampire city called home by many of the aforementioned creatures, she had become bait.

Phenex didn’t want to pay Sofia any more mind, but upon realizing that the Vampire King and head of Terra Noctem where he had made his home, was planning to use the human woman to lure out his enemies he couldn’t help but offer up his services as body guard. And while he watched and protected her something he hadn’t felt for centuries began to stir inside him.

Phenex and Sofia’s story was a quick read full of action, well fleshed characters, and a beautifully described underground city that was a treat to envision as an escape from reality. The sexual tension between the pair was heavy and well played out in terms of their character and personalities. And once they gave into their attraction for each other? A very steamy romance that had me looking for my own set of black wings soaring through the night. The supporting characters were interesting and I found myself searching online to find the titles containing a few of their back stories. The fallen angel Raum having been the main character in KLC’s Renegade Angel, and the Vampire King Justin’s from the short story Vivi and the Vampire found in the Vacation with a Vampire romance anthology. 

I truly enjoyed reading this story and would highly recommend this title to anyone who enjoys a strong male lead (oh, and I did mention he’s a musician right?) as well as a strong willed female lead. This was a great addition to my paranormal romance collection and I will be anxiously awaiting the next installment in this series, as well as adding several more previously written books from this author to my TBR list.

***ARC provided by Netgalley

Review originally posted at Ramblings From This Chick

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Review of Indebted by Amy A. Bartol

Indebted by Amy A. Bartol

Did you read my  review of Intuition? Remember how I was talking about dancing around in my 'black hat' like a crazy person? While reading this book I was decked out in a black hat, black gloves, black shoes and socks, black jeans, well you get the point. Not saying I'm rooting for Brennus and Evie to have a creepy ever after...but this girl can't get enough of the King and his Fellas. Another Thank You! to Amy for blurring my literary views of Good and Evil. Now please don't take this as a "Mel's a shallow dolt, she'll side with anyone who's eye candy and speaks with sweet, sexy accents" because I SWEAR it's not true! I can truly root for a villain's ugly, painful demise with the best of 'em...but Amy's writing lulled me into a false sense of calm during which the Fellas were able to sneak up and carve a little (like super tiny, ok?) place in my heart. 

In circumstances you'll have to read to catch up on, Evie finds herself living with Brennus and the Fellas at his estate in Ireland.  Though she's missing Reed and the rest of her friends/family she decides to play along to stay alive, meaning not dead...and not undead. Be it for a certain event in the previous book or from living with her enemies...she quickly finds that as much love as she has for Reed, for Russell, and the rest...Brennus and the Fellas (well a select few anyway) have wormed their way into her heart too. 

"How can I possibly describe what I feel for you, Brennus?” I ask, shaking my head and feeling the painful ache inside of me. “This isn’t like the love I have felt before. Whatever it is, it’s painful. If this is love, then I love you the way creatures like us ought to be loved – secretly and unwillingly, within the dark shadow between my heart and soul." 

Though she still fights for the life and the love she truly wants and needs.

"If I had but one wish, it would have been to find someone like you.”

“And if you were a coin, I’d throw you down a well without making a wish."

*Nods head in understanding* I totally feel ya sister!

Ahem...moving on...

And while she battles, loves, orders about, fights to protect Brennus and the Fellas, fights against Brennus and the Fellas (busy girl right?) in the background Reed, Russell and the rest of their beautifully crazy family fight to get her back. I was overwhelmed with happy tears as Reed snuck into Evie's room to hold her, then said...

"I miss the outline of your body pressed to mine and the feel of your breath on my neck when you sleep. I miss the sound of your voice. I need you. I have to go soon, but I will be back for you. I promise you. Then, I will show you that there is still beauty in the world -- not a future full of despair. I promise you, I will."

He not once stopped looking for her, and a way to reach her. His love. His Aspire.

"Hold onto the string, love, until the current shifts and we can be together again." 

So if you haven't fallen in love with Reed yet...get ready to do so. And if you're already a Reed Fanatic...get ready to fall in love again!

Zephyr and Buns, Brownie, and our good ol' boy Russell didn't sit out on this rescue either. All wanting their friend, or soul-mate in Russ's case, home with them where she belongs. Again I'm not wanting to spoil too much for you so I will leave off with specifics at this point.

All in all Indebted was one Hell of a book! I have never had my emotions so twisted as I did in this one. These characters have been written so clearly in their personalities that I have no problem watching them in my mind move about in this crazy world they call home. They laugh...I cackle. They cry...I'm a sobbing mess. They go to battle...I'm shouting my war-cry and attacking the enemy with a verbal assault that would make any sailor proud (unless in the case of Brennus where as my verbal assault tends to lean more towards the line of verbal taunt...with a flirtatious grin...and a force field to keep me from touching...er...him from touching me *cough*). Again I digress, but seriously! You must check this book out for yourself.

And as a final snippet to show Russ some well deserved attention I'll leave you with this quote between him and Evie at the end of the book...

"Well, that feels a little bit like stealin’ yer parent’s car keys for a joy ride and ending up crashin’ it, huh?”

“We kind of hijacked the sun, Russell." 

Now go my friends! Enjoy this adventure as much as I did ;)

***This title was purchased by reviewer

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