Alpha Wolf

Alpha Wolf, the newest book in the series by Rebecca Royce, has the ingredients of a delicious paranormal romantic suspense… a powerful but caring hero, a strong and loyal heroine, a suspenseful mystery and a magical world. Royce does not disappoint readers with this enticing story of mystery and turmoil in the wolf world.

Michael Kane arrives in New Orleans to meet with the Alpha of the pack that has cared for his sister while hiding her away from Michael's father, Kendrick Kane. He arrives to take her home only to find out she is missing. Instead, he meets his mate. She is more timid than any wolf shifter he has met in all of his two hundred years and it is immediately obvious to him that she has been abused. And the more he learns, the more that everything with this pack suddenly seems wrong. Though desperate to connect with his mate, he places his own needs aside and focuses on the needs of his mate, a trait that is venerable in an Alpha who is used to being all-controlling. Michael is the Alpha of readers’ dreams – strong yet sweet, commanding yet tender.

Scarlett Knoll recognizes instinctively that Michael is her mate but is confused by his caring behavior. Knowing her own weakness as a latent wolf shifter, meaning her wolf never presented itself, Scarlett expects him to abandon her for a stronger wolf mate. Michael shocks her when he immediately begins to take care of her despite his original objective of finding his sister. She seems skittish but there is an inner strength that readers can see in Scarlett. A spectrum of emotions are touched upon as readers watch Scarlett emerge from her shell – sorrow at the fear she harbors, anger at the injustice she suffered, and delight as she discovers her gifts. Scarlett’s journey was subtle and yet intrinsic to the story.  Without this evolution, the two mates could not have become one.

The pack dynamic is crafted beautifully with enough detail to make it real to readers as Michael interacts with the other wolf shifters. Though his focus is on caring for Scarlett, Michael recognizes his obligation to assist the misguided New Orleans pack. His character will have readers swooning nearly as much as his physique. Michael removes the power-hungry Alphas who have mismanaged the pack for years and teaches the others how trustworthy Alpha wolf shifters behave. The secondary characters, along with the hero and heroine, are multi-dimensional and add to the story. The scenes in which Michael both fights some pack members and teaches the others are vividly painted in words so that readers feel they are actually present.

RATING: 5 Chocolate-Dipped Strawberries

This series is definitely worth checking out. There is so much to love about a book packed with romance, sexy Alpha males, suspense and action. Alpha Wolf is a page turner – one you won’t want to put down once you start.

Wolf's Magic

Hello everyone!! I hope everyone is having a great week and that you’re getting out and enjoying the weather. There isn’t anything better than sitting outside in the evening with a cold drink and your book of the week. READ – READ – READ – you know you want to.

Wolf’s Magic by Rebecca Royce
Wolf’s Magic is the story of Azriel Kane, fifth brother in the royal Westervelt wolf pack. Always different from his siblings, Azriel prefers to spend his time underground in a lab than out fighting battles to save the pack from destruction. In his own way, he feels he is contributing to the pack’s success. However, when fate plants his destined mate in a cage where he can’t ignore her, Az will be forced to face up the demons that have plagued him since childhood and be the shifter she needs him to be.
Leah St. James has no idea who she is or how she came to be trapped in a cage in Az’s lab. The only thing she is certain about is that she is not a wolf and that she wants out of her false wolf body as soon as possible. Counting on Az to save her from the same doomed fate as the other wolves Az is given to study, from the distance of her cage she can see Az for who he really is and not the false front he presents to the world.
But Kendrick Kane is not done with Westervelt and when he steps up his game to eliminate the Kanes from Westervelt, Az and Leah will need each other to discover the truth behind his evil plans, that is if Azriel can finally reveal the secret he has been keeping since he was a child.
With Leah’s help, can Azriel finally take his place in the pack hierarchy or will they fail and lose Westervelt forever?

Shifters, hot guys and powerful women what’s not to love? Add to that the conversations that each of them have with their “furry side” and Rebecca has a hit. This is the fourth in the series and I have to say that it is my favorite. Az’s insecurities in himself and his shy domineer make him adorable. He is the quiet brains of the family but that doesn’t mean he can’t fight. His relationship with Leah is so special. Az is Leah’s first love and first love is always so sweet.
The story line itself develops nicely and moves quickly. You have to love the personalities of the wolves themselves. I have never read a book where the wolf had its own separate personality. That is not just unique but very creative. I have to give Wolf’s Magic 3 ½ chocolate dipped strawberries.

Review by Shari

Hump Day - Howl for Wolf's Valentine

Better late than never again....my lovelies I hope things have gone well. Today was filled with mayhem as I chaperoned the Middle School Drama class field trip to see the American Shakespeare Company perform MacBeth. Sigh - this self professed Queen of the Nerd Herd loved the play, discovered a few new ways to be King, and now know how today's teens "pick up" and get dates for the Prom. (apparently, "uh, hey, yo. D'ya wanna?" is a big one. Followed swiftly with the scrap of paper, phone number and first name only. Hmmmm) I am so sure I am not ready for this, I must resort to my comfort food of choice. Seeing as how we are in full throttle tornado/royal wedding season, I chose some delish eye candy. Enjoy!

In continuation of our spotlight on Rebecca Royce's Westervelt wolves series, today's treat is just that, a short holiday story, Wolf's Valentine.

Jana thought she was through with Westervelt. Fleeing for her
life thirty years ago, she's hidden as a human ever since. But a strangely
worded Valentine delivered to her desk at work has given her pause.

Malcolm never expected to find his mate working for a crooked company he
was sent to investigate in New York City. But there she is. Now, on Valentine's
Day, the two will battle their attraction for each other while taking down a
conglomerate built for the sole purpose of destroying the Westervelt Wolves.

Will love win the day?

Jana receives a hand-made valentine at work one day. She wishes it were from the sexy Malcom Denon but fears it's from her boss who had, at one time, seriously had a thing for her. The wording, Happy Valentine's Day, to my Mate, triggers long lost feeling which Jana and her wolf have suppressed for so long. Tossing the valentine in the trash, she decides to get through her day and take her wolf out for a run after work.

Malcom gets attacked afterwork by the rabid creations of the evil Kenderick Kane. Determined to keep her safe, Malcom follows his mate on the train to Woodstock, revealing his true nature and surprising her immensely. Jana's wolf is thrilled, Jana isnt so sure. They shift, they run, they mate under the moonlight. Nothing is easy however, and the pair find themselves surrounded by fifty snarling, drooling made-wolves. After capturing their Alpha, they return with the Princes to the island off Maine where Jana grew up.

For a shortened version of the longer Westervelt novellas, this was not a bad read. It was nice to see other characters find their mates. It helps that Kenderick Kane is such a great bad guy. For a Valentine's day story, I felt it was short on romance and a little long on drama but otherwise pretty good. The cursed wolves storyline has now shifted to the search for their long lost mates. This should prove to be an interesting series thread and one that, once you have read the previous stories, will keep readers captivated.

I give this sweet Valentine treat a yummy 3.5 Chocolate covered strawberries and encourage you all to take advantage of the lovely weekend ahead to take your inner wolf out for a run!

Wolf Reborn

So it's Tuesday and we are up to book three in the Westervelt Wolves series. If you have not figured it out yet we are spotlighting the series by Rebecca Royce all this week and she will be blogging with us on Friday!! WOO HOO so stop by and leave a comment and I am sure she will try and answer it then. Because of they way that this series is written, reading in order will greatly add to your understand and enjoyment....and it will keep my head from popping off. LOL

Wolf Reborn, Rebecca Royce, Liquid Silver Books
A lone wolf is a dangerous creature, until he meets his mate. Then he’ll become lethal to protect her.
Faith Anderson never asked to be a wolf shifter, but one strange encounter with the Westervelt Wolves and she suddenly has a past she knows nothing about and a future wrought with danger. No one is more disappointed than she to discover that the island does not hold a mate for her…that is, until she collides with Theo Kane, the missing prince of the Westervelt Wolves who has chosen isolation to save his pack from what he believes are his insane tendencies.
Theo couldn’t imagine anything worse than the near death experience that left him scarred and forever changed. Until some of the same things start happening to Faith. Now he has no choice but to face what he has avoided for over a year if he doesn’t want the past to repeat itself, this time taking Faith along for the ride. Together they will battle demons, invisible wolves, and worst of all his father to find their eternal love.

Faith, who we met in the previous book has finally come to Westervelt Island and has found her spot in the pack as head of security. She is still having some trouble adjusting to her wolf and is disappointed that none of the wolves are her mate.

Theo has taken to living in the woods in his wolf form. After being disfigured while saving the Alpha's son from a kidnapping attempt by demons under their fathers control, he doesn't trust himself around his family. But there is still a traitor among the pack, and while out scouting, an unseen attacker shoots at him and forces him over a waterfall to escape being shot.

When Faith sees a wolf go over the falls, she jumps in to save him and when she drags him to safety she realizes there is another Kane brother that she didn't know about and this brother is her mate!

The two must work together to find the traitor and stop Theo's megalomaniac father from furthering his plans.

I enjoy these stories on several levels. These people are shifters, but I don't know that I have read another series where the wolf personality is basically a sentient being. The human and wolf personalities can be almost opposites and I think it adds and interesting twist to the story. I enjoy reading about their perseverance after everything that has been taken from them they continue to fight to get their way of life back and continue to have hope that they will find their missing women. I like the strong female characters that this author continues to create. The biggest drawback to these stories is their length and I feel the plot and character development suffer from the short length. I do find myself looking forward to the next book to see what happens next. I give Wolf Reborn 3 chocolate dipped strawberries.

Me & my wolf Monday

Hope everyone had a great Easter. Mine was very exhausting but good. I now have enough chocolate to last me the rest of the year. I need to get rid of it so I’m not tempted to eat it. Just say no Kim, just say no! Looking forward to the warm weather this week and slowly packing away the winter clothes and shoes. I think shorts should be appropriate dress for all occasions. One day I will live some place that I can wear shorts and flip flops year around and the only furniture required is a beach chair. That is in the event that I ever get to retire which isn’t very likely but one can dream!

Summer’s Wolf by Rebecca Royce
Three years ago, Summer Morrison’s happy, normal life was thrown into upheaval.
Forced to discover, before she was ready, that she was half-wolf shifter and mated to the
pack’s enforcer has left Summer moody, shaken, and resentful. When tragedy strikes her
family, Summer is forced to come back to the world of the Westervelt Wolves…and into
the arms of Cullen Murphy.
Cullen has waited three years for Summer, having promised her mother he would
give her time to grow up. But he’s never forgotten his mate and craved her presence since
he first saw her on the battlefield three years earlier. The trouble is, now that Cullen has
Summer, he has no idea what to do with her. Three hundred years of being alone has left
Cullen socially inept and more lonesome than he would ever admit. He lives with the
guilt and shame of his deeds, while knowing his role is pivotal to the pack’s survival.
Together, Cullen and Summer will heal each other’s wounds and discover that life is
worth living as long as they are together. Now there’s just the little matter of Kendrick
and Claudius, their evil henchmen, the army of miscreant wolves, and the demons that
keep attacking. If they can survive, their love will be everlasting. But failure will mean
not only their destruction, but the end of the Westervelt Wolves.
When love is eternal, failure is not an option.


This story for me had two different little things that made it unique to read. Number one, Summer was in no way shape or form ready to be pushed into this wolf world. Unlike many stories where the male finds his mate and drags her away until she sees he’s the only one for her. Cullen steps away and by away I don’t mean just hanging out with her and being her friend. There is no contact, not for a month or two but 3 years! That was a fresh surprise. He knew what was going on in her life but he stayed out of it so she could make her own way. The second thing I thought was cool is how the wolf is separate from the person. Many shifters are humans that can change form. In this series the wolf has its own voice. I love how Summer’s wolf likes to give her advice and she is trying so hard to ignore it. It’s always a little voice in your head. Annoying I’m sure but how great would it be to have that extra part to help you remember stuff. Like, hey Kim, don’t forget to pick up toothpaste on the way home! How cool would that be!
The story also has lots of characters that are sure to be featured in the rest of the series. This is also a series that needs to be read in order. Book 1 and this one (book 2) are very connected to one another. I look forward to reading the rest of them.

I give this book 3 chocolate dipped strawberries and a bottle of sunscreen so you can grab this series and head to your own beach chair and start reading. I won’t be wearing sunscreen but you should!

Happy Easter!!!

Happy Easter to everyone. I hope you all had an enjoyable and relaxing day. I had a fabulous day with my family and then spent a couple of hours this evening with some family friends and watched the kids play a little baseball against the dads. Well we are all about the wolves this week. We are spotlighting Rebecca Royces' Westervelt Wolves. So I hope you join us while we get a little furry.

Her Wolf, Rebecca Royce,Liquid Silver Books
Ashlee Morrison has a secret obsession—with a dark and mysterious male. The only problem is that he’s a wolf and she’s becoming convinced that she’s insane. But Ashlee’s wolf is no ordinary canine; he is Tristan Kane, third son in the royal family of the Westervelt Wolf pack.
Trapped in his wolf form by his evil father’s men, Tristan has desperately sought a way out of predicament and is shocked to find that the sad but beautiful redhead who has come to the wolf cage can not only hear him, but awakens in him the knowledge that she is his mate, the other half of his soul.
Ashlee, unaware that she is half wolf-shifter, agrees to accompany Tristan back to his pack in Maine to seek answers to her past and understand her future. But as Tristan and Ashlee grow closer, familial betrayals will threaten to destroy the fragile love they have started to build.
With the odds stacked against them, Ashlee and Tristan will either embrace their love to save the Westervelt Wolves or be lost forever to despair.

Her Wolf, is the first book in the Westervelt Wolves series and introduces us to a pack of male shape shifting wolves, but especially their royal family of six sons, living on an island off Maine. Betrayed by their Alpha thirty years ago the pack has yet to recover.

Ashlee, who already thinks she's having a mental breakdown, becomes obsessed with a wolf in the zoo that she also thinks is talking to her. Especially since this wolf is trying to talk her into releasing him and keeps saying she is his mate. But a very real dream of the wolf's death convinces her to do just that!

Tristan "Trip" Kane has been trapped in wolf form ever since someone betrayed him to his father. Unable to break the spell put on him he must rely on none other than his mate to be the one to rescue him.

It is soon very apparent that there is more to Ashlee than meets the eye. And it may just be that she not only saves Tristan but is the catalyst for saving the whole pack.

While the book starts a little slowly the build up is so worth it. The plot and character development really make for a great story. Just when you think it's going to fall into the cookie cutter version of a paranormal romance there is another twist. I always like when an author writes a strong female character that doesn't come across as a bitch and Ms. Royce does that with Ashlee. The strength of the love between the two lead characters is incredible and carries the story all the way to the end. A large cast of secondary characters will keep the storyline moving and I for one can't wait to see where we go next! I give Her Wolf 4 chocolate dipped strawberries.

Catches On Like WILDE FIRE

I've been reading a few of these quick release series where a new short story comes out every four - six weeks and you can't possibly read out of order because they pick up immediately from where the last concluded. This one is right up there among my favorites of these series... hot, sexy, suspenseful quick and fun reads. So, take it for what it's worth - read this series just for some light reading. It is really just a nibble of an indulgence. Enjoy!

Wilde Fire, the second book in Chloe Lang's The Brothers of Wilde, Nevada series, begins to weave a solid storyline while still holding back enough to create a suspenseful read. A love hexagon with six lovers in one relationship, this book focuses mostly on the heroine’s developing relationship with just one of the brothers. Like the first book, this is also a quick read with a fluid flow.

Jessie, who had come to Wilde, Nevada to investigate accidents in the local mine, meets Jackson Wilde and his four brothers, Phoenix, Dallas, Denver, and Austin. (I know the names are a little hokey - seriously, all names of cities? but just go with it.) After Jackson, who she fell for in the first book, is called away on a business trip, Jessie spends time with Phoenix who charms her nearly as much as Jackson. And here comes the hot chemistry I felt was missing from the first book. Jessie and her men have an attraction that even her common sense won’t allow her to fight. The sex scenes are filled with emotion and add to the developing relationships as her reaction to both men begin to overwhelm her.

When Jessie begins to ask questions, the brothers know it’s not much longer before they need to share with her the truth behind their lifestyle. But Austin is still holding out, convinced he doesn’t want to share a mate as his family does so the other brothers work to prepare Jessie for Austin (I can not wait for his book!). In the midst of this, the author is still providing snippits about the mine accidents and a potential danger. Several things happen in this book to indicate a threat and the suspense is building slowly.

Now I am sold on the series and am eagerly looking forward to the next release. A quick notation that readers must read this in order because of the nature of the series... just go out and get them both because you won’t want to read the first without having this one to start right away. It’s just better that way.

I originally wrote this review for The Romance Reviews. You can find this review (along with other reviews I've written) at: http://erotic.theromancereviews.com/viewbooksreview.php?bookid=2335

Blood Bound

Blood Bound, Patricia Briggs,January 2007
Mechanic Mercy Thompson has friends in low places-and in dark ones. And now she owes one of them a favor. Since she can shapeshift at will, she agrees to act as some extra muscle when her vampire friend Stefan goes to deliver a message to another of his kind.
But this new vampire is hardly ordinary-and neither is the demon inside of him.

I’ve just started reading this series and am very much enjoying myself. Mercy, a Walker and the last of her kind, has the ability to shift into a coyote when she’s not working as a mechanic on the infamous VW lines of cars. Having been raised by werewolves, and more importantly the lead wolf of all packs, she is very familiar with the politics of this hierarchy; yet choose to instigate trouble and frustration when the opportunity presents itself. Mercy is easy to like for her spunky energy, her view on the world and her commitment to people she cares about. I love her sarcasm and need for independence! Stephan, the lone acceptable vampire, enters the scene in this story and brings Mercy into his world by calling in the favor she owes him. However, once called, Mercy finds herself elbow-deep in another world with rules in a system of judgment that just make the reader shiver. Patricia Briggs brings about a balance of action, chaos and laughter that truly make this book (and the others I’ve read) an enjoyable series. Can’t wait to read the rest! 5 Chocolate covered strawberries
Review by Liz

It's A Keeper

I won’t lie – I’m a big fan of Gabrielle Evan’s books – so it should come as no surprise that I really like the beginning to her latest series, Wicked River. I tend to be one of those readers who gravitate towards an author for their writing style and then read everything they write. Sometimes I like them for different reasons, and depending on my mood, but there is inevitably something in their writing that holds true regardless of how their plot or characters may vary. So I found myself picking up the first book in Evan’s new series and reading it front beginning to end in a day. I enjoy her unique blending of romance, intrigue and humor into a light story that I don’t want to put down. Her newest book, Keeper of the Light, is the first book in the Wicked River series which incorporates several types of paranormal beings.

Keeper of the Light focuses on Damon and Tate (let’s call them Hot and Hotter), vampire/ lycan hybrids who have been mated for centuries but aren’t yet complete without their zeta, the third in their relationship. At a chance meeting with Ryah at a local county rodeo, they immediately know she’s their mate but quickly learn she’s married which leaves them unable to claim her. Evans gives readers a unique view of the heroes’ softer sides while maintaining their very alpha tendencies as the two men deal with the emotions involved in watching their mate with another man.

Ryah is a strong heroine – a fact that comes about slowly – that chooses to overcome the abuse she suffers at the hands of her husband. The challenge of creating an abused character while depicting her strength is one easily matched by Evans. The tension in the book picks up when Damon and Tate discover Ryah is abused by her husband; and it’s only when he takes his abuse a step further and attacks her in public that they rescue her and she realizes the time has come to accept their offer of help. Ryah doesn’t become overshadowed by the equally strong heroes – her mates.

I loved the characters, and the relationship the three shared. Despite the drama surrounding them, they had lighter moments and some extremely hot moments in the bedroom (and the kitchen). Evans crafted them so well that their interactions were realistic though some of those hotter moments seemed a bit acrobatic to me! Once giving into their passion forces Ryah to acknowledge the love she feels for these men, she then has to face that there is more to the world than she ever knew. First she learns the men she loves are vampire/lycan hybrids only to find out that she is a lycan herself. And if that wasn’t enough, she discovers she was born to an incredible destiny that causes her to be stronger than she ever believed herself. With a husband that won’t let go without a fight, a destiny to be fulfilled and her future awaiting her, readers will flip pages quickly to see just how Ryah handles herself.

RATING: 4 Chocolate-Dipped Strawberries

Hump day hello....welcome back Gin!

Oy vey - what more can I say? Hump day couldn't get here soon enough. Between the torrential rains, full blown allergies and being sick as a dog all weekend (ugh - who wants to be sick on the weekend????) I am ready for the down hill slope....and, although I'd like to keep this week's treat all to myself, I am willing to share my latest treat with you so feast your eyes on this visual donut. Mmmmmm. (He is shirtless because it's 80 today but has a hat on because it is supposed to be 40 tonight - dont fight my logic, it's the cold medicine talking!)

So yesterday, the Divine Ms. T kicked off our sneak peak review of Jennifer Estep's latest Elemental Assassin novel, Tangled Threads. I personally want to thank her for saying brilliantly and succinctly what I wanted to say because I am about to embarrass myself with fan-girl squeals! I have been doing it since we got our e-ARC copy. I have enjoyed Ms. Estep's writing for several years (I have all the Bigtime novels) and like the funky mix of urban fantasy, humor and slips of romance that her EA series brings to the mix. Like the sassy assassin Gin, Jennifer Estep, has shown her readers she is definitely cookin' now!

Tangled Threads - Elemental Assassin Book 4, Jennifer Estep, Pocket Books, April 2011

Tangled Threads proves Jennifer Estep has found the recipe to success! Gin Blanco returns as the uber tough, bad-ass assassin who runs her BBQ joint by day and has taken on the personal assignment of destroying her mortal enemy, Mab Monroe's evil empire by night. Previously, Gin declared outright war on Mab Monroe and has successfully taken out both key and bit players in her mob ever since then. Mab has decided to fight back, hiring her own assassin to squash the Spider. Gin thought she had trouble with one powerful elemental enemy? Now she has two - and this one is about to fry her last nerve! Taking on yet another "pro-bono" case, Gin comes to the aid of a bartender from Roslyn's nightclub who daughter has been taken as insurance for his agreeing to spy on the Vamp owner in hopes of ferreting out the identity of the Spider.

Over the course of the past four novels, Estep's characters have evolved, morphing into very endearing (can one call an assassin endearing?) folks who care for one another: Gin, Finn, Sophia and Jo-Jo, Owen and Eva. Slowly, bits of Gin's past continue to unravel and those bits of information continue to build the mystery. The relationship between the Gin and Owen takes on new life in this installment as well. Gun shy and hard hearted, Gin fights against her feelings for the man who continues to accept her, knives and all. If the romance between Gin and the fickle detective Donovan Caine was the teasing appetizer, then Estep delivers a main dish of hot and steamy with Gin and Owen!

I continue to be amazed at the creative detail in this series. The story lines are unique, complex and fun. The dialogue is well crafted and peppered with great subtle, and more often snarky, humor. But the action scenes are my favorite, reading like choreography cues in a great movie script. The reader can easily visualize the fight sequences and they are everything an action buff could want - bloody, bone crunching, slicing and dicing goodness! (Add that little electricity elemental bonus and you have some serious hair raising fun!)

I give this Tangled treat five divine chocolate dipped strawberries, with some tangy gin, straight up. This series just keeps getting better and better - and you can bet your bottom dollar, I will be pre-ordering A Touch of Frost (due out 7/26/11), her new YA endeavor!

Oh What A Tangled Web She Weaved!

Hello everyone and Happy Tuesday!! Is everyone ready for Easter? I did some basket shopping at lunch today. Did you all know that they now have chocolate dipped Peeps?? Like marshmallow and sugar wasn't enough to jack the kids up lets throw some chocolate on there to! I confess that I eat 1 peep a year and I have to have that one but I really can't eat anymore than that, so I tried the chocolate dipped ones and it was just ok for me. I didn't think that the addition of the chocolate made that much of a difference. I thought that my kids would be too old to color eggs this year (14&11) but no they asked me last night when we were going to color them, so I guess we will be doing it for at least one more year. Well the Easter Bunny left me an early treat and I am going to share it with you today. As some of you may recall we had Jennifer Estep here a few months ago as a guest blogger when we spotlighted her Elemental Assassin series, well FAB FAB person that she is, she shared an ARC of the next book that comes out in that series with us. It comes out next Tuesday and I think it's the best in the series....so far!!!!

Tangled Threads, Jennifer Estep, April 2011
I’d rather face a dozen lethal assassins any night than deal with something as tricky, convoluted, and fragile as my feelings.
But here I am. Gin Blanco, the semi-retired assassin known as the Spider. Hovering outside sexy businessman Owen Grayson’s front door like a nervous teenage girl. One thing I like about Owen: he doesn’t shy away from my past—or my present. And right now I have a bull’s-eye on my forehead. Cold-blooded Fire elemental Mab Monroe has hired one of the smartest assassins in the business to trap me. Elektra LaFleur is skilled and efficient, with deadly electrical elemental magic as potent as my own Ice and Stone powers. Which means there’s a fifty-fifty chance one of us won’t survive this battle. I intend to kill LaFleur—or die trying—because Mab wants the assassin to take out my baby sister, Detective Bria Coolidge, too. The only problem is, Bria has no idea I’m her long-lost sibling . . . or that I’m the murderer she’s been chasing through Ashland for weeks. And what Bria doesn’t know just might get us both dead. . . .

Gin has taken the fight to Mab, she is killing her men and leaving her rune behind so that the fire elemental knows exactly who is making her life hell. So what does Mab do.....she hires an assassin to take out the assassin. Enter Elktra LaFleur, and assassin that kills with electricty and leaves behind an orchid as her calling card. There is something familiar about this assassin but Gin can't quite put her finger on it.

Gin isn't one to shy away from a fight but LaFleur is strong and Gin isn't sure she can take the assassin out and keep the people in her life safe. But when a little girl is kidnapped and threats are made against her friends and family, Gin is going to do everything in her power to stop LeFleuer.

She is going to need all the help she can get from her friends. She'll need Finn to watch her back, Jo-Jo to heal her wounds, Sophia to fill all the holiday orders at the resturant, Bria to stay out of the way and Owen to love her for who she is. With back-up like that, how can she lose?

This series just keeps getting better. I love the fast paced action and the ever developing story line. I like the fact that there is a great mix of action and personal realtionships. A little more of the mystery of what happened the night that Gin's mother and sister were killed is revealed and while it answers some questions it brings up even more. The developing relationship between Owen and Gin is funny and hot. You gotta love a guy that knows how to give the perfect gift! Gin's powers are still changing and growing and I am excited to see where that takes us in the next story. The cast of secondary character's keeps growing and Gin is finally starting to realize that as dysfunctional as they may be they are a family. I can't wait to see where the Spider takes us next. I give Tangled Threads 5 chocolate dipped strawberries and a cup of chickory coffee because I can't resist Finnegan Lane either.

It's A Long, Lonely Night(s)

Long Lonely Nights by Marla Monroe was a long book filled with angst. The main characters both struggle with their own insecurities and take a long time to recognize the opportunity in one another. Character development was multi-faceted and allowed the reader to understand their motives but didn’t dissuade my frustration with how slowly the story moved.

Tina Antonelli spends most of her time indoors because of fear over an attack she endured a year ago. Tina is brave and determined to live as regular a life as possible but still doesn’t go out often. Her entertainment at home includes spying on her sexy neighbor, Logan Henderson, at night. As the man who attacked her a year ago returns to stalk her, Tina hesitantly accepts her neighbor’s help while refusing to admit to the attraction she feels towards him.

Logan is retired from the army after twenty years of service. He has been looking at Tina since he moved in next door and is as attracted to her as she is to him. When he learns that she is hiding from a stalker, he can’t keep his distance anymore and is compelled to protect her (thus the series name of The Protectors). Then he finds that the more time he spends with her, the more he begins to develop feelings for her. Still he denies himself because he believes he is not good enough for her, and too rough of a lover for a gentle woman like Tina. Why he makes this assumption is still unclear to me, not to mention how it frustrated me to no end.

Much of the storyline revolves around the two characters sexual hang-ups. Tina seems to be sexually hungry but repressing her need to explore a darker side of sex. She enjoys a few stolen moments of voyeurism as she passes sleepless nights out on her balcony watching her sexy neighbor in compromising positions. Her sexual repression brings about self-doubt, no doubt compounded by the attack she suffered. But I would’ve liked to see her evolve more sexually as she learned to a trust someone – there were so many lost opportunities for her with Logan.

This suspense of the story drew me in because I couldn’t figure out who it was stalking Tina. I liked her best friend who added dimension to the story, along with the other men we are introduced to (whom I suspect will be other protectors in future books in this series). Overall, the book was good and provided a pleasing, if not as intense as a reader might hope from a romantic suspense, ending. After a long wait, it was a relief when Logan and Tina were able to overcome their fears and find their happily ever after.

RATING: 3 Chocolate-Dipped Strawberries

This review was originally written for The Romance Reviews and can also be found at: http://erotic.theromancereviews.com/viewbooks.php?bookid=1849.

Lily never dreamed she would ever meet one man who would interest her more than her work does, let alone two. Meeting twin cops is not on her agenda, nor is creating more than a few hot memories. The lightning-fast romance is a surprise---the proposal an even bigger one. Meeting the perfect mate was so unlikely. Morgan and Ian never imagined they would get so lucky. Will they be able to keep such a woman, or will the secret they are keeping steal away their chances for happiness? Discovering that they are shape-shifters is frightening, but anger over their deceit quickly takes its place. Asking for space, Lilly could not foresee the tragedy that would strike the trio and could take the decision out of her hands. Will their dreams of happily ever after fall flat?

A sweet beginning for Angela Wray, this debut novel is a promise of better things to come. Lily is an independent woman who has spent the last year starting her bakery and hasn't had time for a personal life. She is perfectly happy spending all of her time at the bakery. But her assistant, Bess, has other plans for her, if she can just get her out of the bakery. While attending Bess's sixty-sixth birthday party, Lily meets her grandsons and the instant attraction is undeniable. Twins Morgan and Ian aren't looking to settle down, but know as soon as they catch Lily's scent that she is the woman for them. They want to take things slow but can't deny the overwhelming need to take Lily as their own. The twins also have a secret and they are not sure that Lily will be able to accept it. While the relationship in this story develops quickly, I had no problem believing in it. The heroes are very much alpha males and try to take over Lily's world, but she has no problem asserting herself and putting them back in their place. There are some frustrating moments when Lily, who is a smart, capable women is incredibly stupid. I felt that the world building was a little weak but blame that on the length of the novel. I found myself wanting to know more about the twins and their family and hope that Ms. Wray plans more books in this world.
I give this book 3 chocolate dipped strawberries.
This review was originally posted at The Romance Reviews
http://www.theromancereviews.com/viewbooks.php?bookid=2016

Navarro's Promise

In the wolf breed novel, NAVARRO’S PROMISE, Mica Toler’s best friend is the wolf/coyote hybrid breed, Cassie Sinclair. And now Mica is being drawn into her world in ways she had prayed she never would be when the charming wolf breed Navarro makes good on the promise he made her on a dark, explosive night. The Breeds guaranteed that no harm would come to Micah Toler but they never allowed for her sensual fascination with Navarro Blaine. Aloof, cool, and mysterious, he draws her in as no man ever has. But Mica never wanted this. She had her own dreams, her own desires, and being stalked and seduced by a wolf breed wasn’t part of that plan. Now she knows her life is in danger. What Navarro knows is that she’s his mate and that the breeding and training that created him is being peeled away in his desperation to claim a woman that refuses to be claimed. He has her body. She craves his touch. And as the breeds converge the past will rise up to haunt Navarro in ways he never expected.

OMG I loved it!!! I know that we all thought that when Lora wrote Jonas’s book there was nowhere else to go except Cassie’s story but hey we have been told forever that she is just too young. Well Lora has really done it again. In this book she not only brings in a new character with Navarro, with the feeling like you have known him forever but she brings back the connection between Cassie Sinclair and Mica Toler (Cassie’s best and only true friend). We were introduced to young Mica in Elizabeth’s Wolf, when Dash Sinclair was trying to save Cassie and Elizabeth (great book by the way). These aren’t the only characters that get reintroduced. She brings back old enforces that haven’t mated yet and starts us thinking about younger breeds that grew up with Mica and Cassie. I for one now have hope for the future. The book starts out fast and doesn’t slow down. Lora only takes a couple of chapters to reacquaint us to our characters. Almost immediately following our introductions the action starts with Mica being set up to be captured. There is a huge price on her head by the mad scientist Philip Brandenmore. Navarro comes to her rescue and after the chase they land up at Sanctuary where the kiss leads to mating heat for Mica but not for Navarro. You have to read the book to find out what is going. I don’t want to spoil the book for anyone. Those of us that read the Breed series like to be surprised. This is my favourite series of all time and Lora Leigh hasn’t disappointed me this time. No matter how many stories she writes for this series she keeps mixing things up enough to make her books a fantastic read. I give Navarro’s Promise 5 chocolate dipped strawberries without any reservations. It is a great read as always. You don’t even have to read them all in order if you don’t want. I originally started in the middle of this series with Coyote’s Mate. READ READ READ!!!
Review by Shari

Find me that book Friday!

Greetings and salutations! It's been a crazy week. For once I had no extra work hours but that was replaced with my son recuperating from pneumonia. Hate to see my little man sick. He's feeling better now and took the field Wednesday for his first Tball game. He was super! Had two awesome days of weather this week. Love to walk during lunch and smell all the spring flowers that are blooming on campus. Reminds me how truly blessed I am. My motto, everyday is a good day. No matter how full and heavy your plate gets you have two choices. One, you can moan and complain or, two, you can be awesome. I choose to be awesome!

Looking forward to hanging out tomorrow with my family watching the first part of Harry Potter #7 and just chill'n. But before I go start the cupcakes for tomorrow let me tell you about one of my most favorite series that is written by Sherrilyn Kenyon the Dark Hunter series. Tyra and I were talking and couldn't believe we haven't blogged about these books yet. We all have read them and love 'em!

I'm going to talk about the first one in the series Fantasy Lover. A quick peek into the storyline.... these men have chosen to serve the goddess Artemis (heifer goddess). They are all marked with her signature double bow and arrow. Each book is how these Dark Hunters find their true loves. Now, on to Julian and Grace's story.

Fantasy Lover by Sherrilyn Kenyon

Being trapped in a bedroom with a woman is a grand thing. Being trapped in hundreds of bedrooms over two thousand years isn't. And being cursed into a book as a love-slave for eternity can ruin even a Spartan warrior's day. As a love-slave, I knew everything about women. How to touch them, how to savor them, and most of all how to pleasure them. But when I was summoned to fulfill Grace Alexander's sexual fantasies, I found the first woman in history who saw me as a man with a tormented past. She, alone, bothered to take me out of the bedroom and into the world. She taught me to love again. But I was not born to know love. I was cursed to walk eternity alone. As a general, I had long ago accepted my sentence. Yet now I have found Grace-the one thing my wounded heart cannot survive without. Sure, love can heal all wounds, but can it break a two thousand year old curse? Julian of Macedon

Just so you know I have been asking for this "book" for my birthday for several years now and still haven't got it! For the record it wasn't due to bad behavior that I didn't get it because I've been fairly good for the most part. Depending on how you define good. Moving on... As you know it's rare that I like the first book in a series but this book sold me. Each book introduces you to more characters and these characters show up in other books as well. I have moved the latest, book one and book two The Chronicles of Nick to the top of my to read list. That's how much I like them. I'm having a hard time just talking about one!

This book is kinda like the intro to this series. The next book in the series really opens it up. I totally recommend checking out Sherrilyn Kenyon's web site and looking at the books (and jot down the reading order, duh!) Read a couple of them and shoot me a message here on the blog and let me know how you feel about freeing Apollymi. I say let her out! Stuff will grow back... in time.

I give this book and all in this series 5 chocolate dipped strawberries and a bottle of BBQ sauce. (This reference will make more sense to you after you've read a couple of the books. I love me some Simi. I think that may be what I come back as in my next life! Have a great week and choose to be awesome.)

Dark Horse

Dark Horse is Kate Sherwood’s first book and I am still ruminating on the strong feelings it masterfully drew from within me. Dan's story is painful, soul wrenching, and compelling from the very beginning to the absolute end. If you enjoy a moving story, this book is for you. And it’s a book you can truly judge by its cover because it is perfectly fitting. While horses are an intrinsic part of the story, the symbolism of the main character as a dark horse himself is heavily woven especially in the beginning during his darkest moments.

Dan is a self-taught horse trainer. While he is well known in the horse eventing community, he has been living a quiet life for a little over a year since his lover was in a devastating accident. Though Justin lies in a coma, Dan stays hopeful that he will wake up someday and remains faithful. He continues working with the horses on Justin’s family farm and living in a constant state of waiting. But when Justin’s parents make the decision to stop holding onto the past, they make plans to sell their farm and place a DNR order on Justin. The decision throws Dan off-balance and when he loses Justin, he just doesn’t know how to deal. The funeral, and the days leading up to it, is heart-breaking as the author paints such a realistic portrait of Dan’s grief. While reading the book, it is often like you are sitting beside Dan and this was particularly true during the funeral scene. Several issues were used in the reading of this first part of the book.

Dan gets his chance for a fresh start when a family comes to purchase the horses, and he finds himself instantly drawn to the two men. The purchase hinges on Dan’s willingness to work for the buyers at their Californian estate. The author breaks the book into two distinct parts - Part Two beginning with his move to California – and while I normally cringe at this type of break (you know, why not just write two books?), it worked for Sherwood. There was an obvious before and after Justin in Dan’s life which was even more profound by the division.

Dan heads out to California and experiences the reality of a cross-country move. He struggles with finding his fit in this new place, wanting to move on but scared to let go. Evan and Jeff ask Dan to try a relationship that would involve all three and, despite his reluctance, he allows himself to follow his heart. While it certainly isn’t easy, these three men genuinely like each other. I appreciated that the relationship does not evolve sexually until later on, and rather they explore their connection to one another and so clearly work at building a relationship despite none of them knowing what they’re doing in this type of relationship.

This book does not have a quick happily-ever-after, but rather a slow progression of steps in building their relationship. At times the relationship struggles were frustrating – moments where I thought Dan was too sensitive and disagreements were blown out of proportion. The complexities of a ménage relationship were certainly not glossed over as they often are in other books. And Dan joining a pre-existing relationship added its own set of trouble when Evan and Jeff would discuss Dan and make decisions without including him – I could see how Dan continued to feel like the outsider. Since I liked all three men, I hated that Dan found it so easy to be with Jeff but had a hard time with Evan. But then the connections were different in each pairing also and the author carefully maintained the character’s true personalities.

Dark Horse is an incredibly complex story that kept me unsure if I was actually going to get a happily-ever-after at all, never really certain what was going to happen next. I liked that the book focused on their relationship and not just sex (which is an easy selling point so kudos to Sherwood for going beyond) which actually didn’t happen until late in the book. Sexual tension plays a large role in the book and it was well executed, and perfectly developed in a continual build. The explicit sex scenes, including a three-way, were not only hot but essential to the story’s development.

I recommend this book because it truly is a beautiful story. Kate Sherwood is an author to keep watching, but I have to say the story could’ve been tightened up with some unnecessary scenes meeting the delete button. There were times when the story stalled out, got a bit slow, but I liked it overall and I loved Dan. So I’m going against my normal rating criteria and optimistically giving Dark Horse 5 chocolate-dipped strawberries simply based on my own feelings about the story.

QUICK POST NOTE: It’s followed up by a sequel, Out of the Darkness, which I've already read and found satisfying. It helped soothe all my worries about Dan's happily-ever-after. Be sure to read that next.

Hump day hello...More New Love!

News flash - we got a TON of rain here in lovely, bucolic Shenandoah Valley. However, as a result, my driveway is covered in mud, my garage is filled with water...not sure at this moment if I am fearing or hoping it gets to my treadmill. (hey, this girl's guilty indulgence is NOT exercise!) However, we have survived the first day of little league season (wow - soggy!), another monday, and have now made it halfway to the weekend! As always, a reward awaits those who are good and patient (and even those who are snarky and impatient!).... Mmmmmm, calorie free and good to the last drop. This weeks read for me was a new to me author as well - thanks to RomCon for the great read!

Firebird, Annabel Joseph, Loose ID, June 2010

Prosper is thrilled to be plucked from the corps de ballet to dance the lead role in The Firebird. But Jackson, the guest choreographer, is as sexy as he is demanding. Prosper soon finds herself flustered by his closeness and his unforgiving gaze. She gets caught up in kinky fantasies that make it difficult for her to concentrate on his steps. She imagines him as her Dominant, turning her over his knee for flubs in rehearsal.

Just as sensual tension at work builds to an impossible level, a surprise encounter outside the studio results in Prosper’s fantasies being realized. Jackson takes his protégée home and ties her to his bed. Soon Prosper is receiving the discipline and domination she craves -- and much, much more. The pair maintain a secret off-stage relationship -- scorchingly intimate encounters several evenings a week.

But Prosper feels the burden of carrying the Firebird ballet on her back, and Jackson knows that his time in New York will draw to an end all too soon. Will Prosper crack under the pressure of pleasing her lover and bringing his vision to life, or will Jackson find a way to help his Firebird take flight?

Publisher's Note: This book contains explicit sexual content, graphic language, and situations that some readers may find objectionable: Anal play/intercourse, BDSM theme and elements.

If Black Swan had been half this spicy, I could have a) understood all the Oscar hype and b) actually enjoyed it in the theater instead of squirming in my seat in embarassment and wishing I hadnt run out of Twizzlers. Annabel Joseph, a new writer to me as well this week, hits the mark with this well written, intensely erotic foray into the NYC ballet world which had me wishing I were lucky Miss Prosperity.

It is hard to determine which I liked more, the character development or the unfolding of the relationship - I guess they go hand in hand. The individual hero and heroine are both fascinating and seeing their passionate connections with the choregraphing of the Firebird ballet felt both real and fantastical simultaneously. Prosper's talent leads to her star role and captures the eye of Jackson, the choreographer. Her need for perfection makes her the perfect sub for the dominant passionate stranger. Meeting online brings a titillating aspect to their affair - connecting the reality and the fantasy.

The development of the very traditional D/s relationship between Prosper and Jackson evolves sensually and for those who are less familiar with the genre, may feel a little harshly (he is quite into spanky goodness). However, while Jackson sets the casual tenor of the relationship initially, watching him fall for his ballerina so completely feels right. Once he opens his heart he finally sees her issues with perfection are nearly killing her and sets about trying to save her. Watching her emotionally and physically crumble will tear the reader apart so prepare to have some tissues!

Highly recommending for BDSM fans, this sassy, sexy erotic romance earns five lip smackin chocolate covered strawberries from me. And I will definitely put this author on my "must buy" list for sure!

Some New Love

It's a rainy day here in the valley. My son is suppose to have a baseball game tonight, but I don't know if that is going to happen. The mom taxi is in full swing with my daughter doing track and son doing baseball. There really aren't enough hours in the day some days...I may need to do some serious research into cloning myself, but I don't know if the world could handle two of me. LOL The series that I have brought to share with you today is from a "new to me" author. I found her when I was entering the contests on Larrissa Ione's facebook page and I would like to give Larissa a big ol' THANK YOU! Her name is Laura Wright and the series is Mark of the Vampire. It feels like a cross between the Black Dagger and Midnight Breed series in all the best ways. There are two books out so far, Eternal Hunger and Eternal Kiss, with the third, Eternal Captive due out in February 2012. I have fallen in love with these vampires and the world the Ms. Wright has created.

Eternal Hunger Alexander Roman wants nothing to do with the controlling rulers of his vampire breed or the family he escaped from a hundred years ago. But as a new threat to the pureblood vampires emerges, Alexander's ties to the past are forced upon him again, and without warning, he finds himself - disoriented, terrified, and near death - at the door of a stranger. Dr. Sarah Donohue is dedicated to removing the traumatic memories of her patients - like those of the stranger at her front door. But what he tells her of his past is too astonishing to be anything more than the delusion of a madman. Yet she has seen his flesh scarred by the sun and witnessed his inhuman strength. And never more has she felt so connected to a man, by both fear and seductive excitement. But as their worlds collide, Sarah and Alexander are bound by something even stronger, as one becomes hunter and the other prey. And Sarah's only chance of survival is to surrender to the final - and most unimaginable - desire of her life.

Alexander is a son of the Breeding Male for the vampire race. Which means when he goes through his morpho at 300 years of age there is a chance that he will become an animal with only one thing on his mind, and that is impregnating every female vampire whether she wants it or not. Alexander and his three brothers have broken off with the rest of the vampire community and want nothing more than to be left alone. But when a new threat to the race comes along the Eternal Order, the vampire ruling class, start Alexander's morpho early and threaten to do the same to his brothers if he does not hunt down and destroy the threat.

Sarah is a human doctor, who tries to help people survive traumatic experiences by suppressing those memories. Her most important patient is her brother Grey. Sarah feels responsible for the almost coma-like state that her brother is in due to a fire that she started that also killed their father.

When Sarah stumbles upon Alexander on her doorstep as he is going through morpho she doesn't realize how much her life is about to change. Or the things that she will learn about herself.

Eternal Kiss Raised by the Breed, Nicholas Roman wants to stop the Eternal Order of Vampires from controlling his life, and using other males from his bloodline-including possibly his son-for their vicious reign. Only a beautiful vampire stranger can help him. But what are her true motives?

Nicholas is willing to do anything for his brothers. Family is the most important thing to him. But he is hiding something from them, a secret that could destroy the love that his brothers have for him.

Kate is in the last few months of her probation/work release from the vampire prison when she witnesses the murder of a veana(female vampire)along with the veana's son. The female begs for Kates help asking her to take her son to his father. To do so would be to break the law and possibly forfeit her freedom.

Nicholas world is turned upside down when during a meeting, he thinks is with an informant, the beautiful veana introduces him to who she says is his son. Nicholas knows there is a chance the boy could be his son but is reluctant to trust the female thinking she is a spy for Dare, the Impure he is hunting. While trying to find and kill Dare and keep his secrets from his brothers Nicholas cannot help the pull he feels towards Kate. Even though he is using her as bait to draw Dare out all he wants to protect her.

Just when I think there can't be a new twist to the vampire story along comes Ms. Wright to prove me wrong. I was sucked right into her world and didn't want to come out. She creats strong, flawed alpha males and women who are strong enough to stand beside them. The story lines are fresh and well written with strong secondary characters, heroes you want to cheer for and bad guys you want to see taken down. She tells a great story with just enough of a cliff hanger to keep you coming back for more. My only complaint is that I now have to wait 10 months until the relase of the next book. I give the Mark of the Vampire series 5 chocolate dipped strawberries!!

Pale Demon

Pale Demon by Kim Harrison was released in February 2011. This might have been her best book yet. I absolutely love Rachel Morgan as the heroine of this series. She is feisty and funny…and addicted to coffee just like me! What I wouldn’t give to try that raspberry latte she refers to that comes from the depths of the underworld. Her nemesis, Al is true to his usual form of a character – one you love to hate. However, Kim leads the reader to ponder the idea that there might be something more to Al and Rachel’s relationship as her story moves along. It does make you wonder…except that Kim also threw in that yummy diversion and now – Rachel needs to grow up and get involved in a real relationship instead of running from them. Readers beware, this book is filled with Kim’s usual sarcasm and wit, a little lust and then some unexpected sorrow. Definitely a worthy read. 5 chocolate covered strawberries for sure. Review by Liz

Going Wilde

I read Going Wilde by Chloe Lang about a month ago. It was enough to entice me to read the second book in the series but not to make me excited about it. Here's my original review I did for The Romance Reviews but let me add that I've since read the second and am now anxiously waiting for the third to come out soon. Elements that were lacking have been tied up neatly to make the story more solid.  

Going Wilde, the first in The Brothers of Wilde, Nevada series, brings us a love hexagon with six lovers in one relationship. And it’s a formula for hot sex and lots of it. The book is a quick read with a steady and fluid flow.

Jessie comes to Wilde, Nevada to investigate accidents in the local mine. A city girl at heart, Jessie doesn’t belong in this remote and rugged western town. But she just might change her mind when she meets some of the sexiest cowboys she's ever seen. Jackson Wilde knows when he first sees Jessie that she's the one for him and his four brothers, Phoenix, Dallas, Denver, and Austin. (seriously, the names are a bit corny?!)

Spending her birthday away from home, Jessie meets up with four of the brothers in the bar and grill across from her hotel. She’s taken in by their charm. When one thing leads to another, the sexual pleasures the brothers give Jessie are more than she ever thought would happen. Alone with Jackson once the others leave, he takes her virginity and it seems to bind them though there is no obvious chemistry even though the author told me there is, I just didn’t feel the attraction.

The plot thickens some when a mining accident occurs on the same day Jessie is scheduled to visit the mine. It has the brothers wondering who’s causing their usually accident-free mine trouble. With Jessie now in danger’s way, Jackson has an even greater need to bring her into their family and protect her. But their oldest brother Austin wants nothing to do with sharing a woman and wants only to protect their business.

The book ends on a cliff hanger that leaves the reader interested enough to read more. So I’ll pick up the next in the series and see where it goes but I’m not sold on it yet. For now, just 3 chocolate-dipped strawberries. But I'm going back for seconds when the next batch comes out.

** NOTE that you must read this series in order for it to make sense. **

This review can also be found at: http://erotic.theromancereviews.com/viewbooksreview.php?bookid=2237.

So Ready for Saturday!

I am so ready for the weekend but where the heck is the sunshine. The only thing better than curling up with a good book is sprawling out in the sun, covered in oil reading a good book. Tanning beds are good but real sunshine is the best. Oh well, it is the weekend and that is enough reason to smile.

I finally finished Lover Unleashed and have to add my review to the groups. By this time in the week you know the story line and most likely you have made a trip to the book store or purchased it for your e-reader. No matter how many reviews you read you won’t find a bad one. Many of the reviews say that the story starts out slow. I don’t disagree but I think looking back on now it is because of the side stories. Whenever I read a book I tend to focus on the main characters and wait for their stories to develop. Manny and Payne’s plot in the beginning of the book is second to that of V and Jane’s. It just takes you by surprise.

All the Brothers are so colorful that you don’t want to lose them once their book is finished. You fall in love with the characters and you look forward to reading about them in the subsequent books. The problem is that if you don’t read the books in order you really won’t enjoy many of the side stories. Lover Unleashed is a good example of that. I need to go back now and read the beginning of the book now that I remind myself of that point.

Lover Unleashed is a must read but my suggestion is to take the time and read the series in order. You will get more out of the books that way and you will make Tyra very, very happy. The stories are intense but the endings are always fantastic and leave you wanting more. Discussing what the next story is about is half the fun. The last 100 pages of this book in my opinion are the best of them all.

I give this book 4 ½ chocolate dipped strawberries because I am saving my 5 vote for Quinn, Blaylock and Layla together!!! You know it could work and I do believe it should be the next book.

- Shari

Family Friday

So much to read, so little time. That's been my case this week. I got two books going on and I hate when that happens. One involves a woman looking for her sister's killer and the other is the latest from the Black Dagger Brotherhood. Both have strong ties to family and the importance of being there for one another. My favorite past time is spending time with my family and friends. Especially when the weather is nice and we're all out on the deck with good food and watching the kids run around. That's what I live for. We were blessed this week with a few days of wonderful weather. Only 22 more days till I get my yearly treat and head to the tanning bed.... and no I haven't figured out how to read while in there. I'm still working that one out. Meanwhile let's chat about Lover Unleashed....

Lover Unleashed by JR Ward
I must admit I'm surprised that we held off on blogging about the Brotherhood as long as we did. It's a series that we all love and probably one of the first ones we suggest to new readers. I'll admit, I wasn't a fan of the first book. I liked it but didn't see the big deal. After book two I was sold and ready to move to the Brotherhood mansion. I have read them religiously ever since. I looked forward to Phury's book in the series and was kinda bummed about it. It had alot of other stuff going on and didn't really focus on Phury. But I liked it all the same. This book seems to be heading in the same direction. Which isn't bad. I'll still enjoy it and begin waiting for the next in the series.

Here are a few of my thoughts. I loved V and Jane's story. Next to John Matthew and Xhex's it's my favorite. V spends most of his time being pissed at the world. He's a man he can't help it. LOL But I love him just the same. Man has his own tattoo kit gotta love that. Their issues took up a good chunk of the book. I knew Jane and V would be a big part of the story with V being Payne's twin and Jane and Manny's past. Manny was kinda the bad guy in V and Jane's book. He cared for Jane and was the third wheel there. Manny got his memories altered in their book and suffered the painful headaches and he got mind flashed again in this book. I feel kinda bad for him. He couldn't have moved on with his life if he wanted to. I also think Jane owed him an explanation about her disappearance. I mean they had the whole ride back to the mansion from the cemetery. All and all I'm glad Manny got his happily ever after. One of the minor threads in this story turned out to be my favorite. When I read it I didn't even catch it until they came right out and said it and it made me jump up off the bed and say holy cow! What is it you ask? It's when Butch called his old partner Jose De La Cruz to report a body he found. Didn't think anything about it but like I said jumped to my feet when De La Cruz said I know that voice. Well I feel that I should stop talking now!

All of us have blogged about the same book this week and I feel that after you read all of our blogs you will feel like you've already read the book and we don't want that! If you've never read any of the Brotherhood series you have to move it to the top of your list and read in order there are people out there that will hunt you down if you don't! LOL

I give this book 4 chocolate dipped strawberries and a supply of candles. For some reason after reading this book I feel compelled to own more! P.S. Could someone please hook our girl Layla up?

Lover Unleashed

I believe I read Lover Unleashed in record time (for me). I’d forgotten just how much I love the way J. R. Ward writes. The humor and sarcasm in this book is true to form and a perfect underlying tone to what could be too sappy if not imbedded throughout. The book starts off a bit slow with a tremendous amount of background. Maybe I’m just too impatient with what was to come? Let’s get on with the show – really. However, I love the way not only Payne’s story unfolds, but another Brother’s story finally reaches some form of closure. The real kicker is the teaser spun throughout Payne’s tale that hopefully is leading to the next book. If not…I’m gonna die! Payne and Mannie lead the reader through a series of twists and turns that leave you sleepless ; mostly because you’re still reading at 2a! And the third female with big brown eyes….wow. What an ending. 5 Chocolate Covered Strawberries – only because we don’t give 6! Review by Liz

Hump Day Unleashed!

Yo! How the heck are ya this week? I am here and feeling fairly sassy, all things considered. Life continues to be...well, life. So every gal knows when the going gets tough, the tough escape into fiction. And let me tell you - there have been enough HOT new releases this month already to keep this cookie tough enough to survive! However, speaking of cookies....I owe you one, for all the love you give us back - so here it is, that most tasty of calorie free treats....mmmmmmm!

Since I get Wednesdays, the cat is already out of the bag usually when it comes to group reviews. What I have to offer are my thoughts on this weeks eagerly anticipated by all newest J.R. Ward release, Lover Unleashed...

Payne, twin sister of Vishous, is cut from the same dark, seductive cloth as her brother. Imprisoned for eons by their mother, the Scribe Virgin, she finally frees herself-only to face a devastating injury. Manuel Manello, M.D., is drafted by the Brotherhood to save her as only he can-but when the human surgeon and the vampire warrior meet, their two worlds collide in the face of their undeniable passion. With so much working against them, can love prove stronger than the birthright and the biology that separates them?

Ok - so everyone out there who Loves (yes, with a capital L) the BDB, raise your hand. Yup, yup - there's a whole big bunch of us. For those of you under a rock, Lover Unleashed is book 9 in the series - do not make me go Tyra on you and rant about the sheer necessity of reading in order....for many of us, we are still recovering from the angst and drama of John Matthew's long awaited story, and before that Revhenge's story...and so on. Ward has a unique creation with her Caldwell, NY setting and her Vampire/Lesser world. The Brotherhood bond, the Shellan soul mate thing (don't get me starting on bonding scent - oh baby!), and the supernatural elements of the Omega badness and Scribe Virgin goodness (?) - all so original, straddle the lines of paranormal romance and urban fantasy. Payne needed her own story and Manny Manello is one hot surgeon (who cant use another doctor in the family???) Vishous and Qhuinn both go through some MAJOR angsty crap that gets a little hard to take....but is probably necessary for future character growth (yada yada yada). For all this and more, I adore the Black Dagger Brotherhood series.

That being said, I was disappointed in turns at several elements of this particular installment. Firstly, the Brotherhood is and always will be about this amazing cadre of vampire warriors who fight to preserve their race. In previous books, the stories focused in part of the troubles brewing, the evil forces building, the action packed fight scenes - Lover Unleashed had one. Additionally, the characters themselves seemed to be less consistent with their previous selves - Butch and V always had a "special" relationship but V's need to shift from Dom to sub struck me as really off. And there was almost no mention of any of the other Brothers, trainees, Shellans, etc. It was like all those story lines just dropped.

Secondly, Ward continues to torture us with the Quinn and Blay and Layla triangle. Oh for the love of Pete - let the three of them get together and call it a new day for mainstream menage! Even the most homophobic reader will have to acknowledge that the only way Blay and Quinn can be happy is if they finally end up together - and poor walking snack bar Layla, feeding all those big alpha males and getting nothing in return - just sad. (kind of makes you want to send her a Good Vibrations catalog!)

Thirdly, while I am all for the introduction of fresh blood, new characters and all that jazz - Xcor and his posse left me completely ambivalent. I was totally groovy with Rev and Xhex and Trez because they wove into the tapestry of the BDB lives, sometimes bisecting, sometimes parallel but still meshing. These guys don't make sense. And an unexplained serial killer? Hellllooooooo????? Yes, we all know Caldwell, NY, is a badass town but there were so many loose ends it was hard to reconcile at the end.

Now, that being said - who is ready for the next one. ME! (Waving arm in air madly) - regardless of what disappointed me in this installment, I still remain a true blue loyal BDB fan. I know there are more stories to be told, and I want the urban fantasy elements to continue - I love the mystery elements and look forward to the connection of NY and NC in future novels, just as I loved the little crossover bits from BDB to Fallen Angels in Covet. By all mean, take the time to read this one - it is worth the angst.

And please, Ms. Ward, hurry up with Fallen Angel #3 and BDB # 10 - like any good junkie, this guilty girl needs her next fix! I give Lover Unleashed 4 deliciously dipped chocolate covered strawberries....Mmmmmmm.