Hell Without You by: Ranae Rose

Time changes everything, except what’s meant to be.

Seven years is a long time – long enough to transform Clementine from a small-town teenager with a broken heart into a woman ready to take on the world, but not long enough to make her forget about the man she was never supposed to see again. A temporary return to tiny Willow Heights thrusts her back into Donovan’s life and home, unearthing heartbreak and obsession that have stood the test of time.

He left seven years ago too, for war and other things Clementine can only imagine. Coming back to the town where he grew up in the shadow of poverty and drug addiction makes no sense, and neither do Clementine’s feelings for him. He could never forgive her for leaving, could he? Even if she had no choice.

Now, she has the freedom to choose … and so does he. Every day in Willow Heights makes it clearer: all he ever really wanted was her, and nothing will change that. Not even a taste of the hell that drove them apart in the first place.

Thrilling, sexy, and hot are the top three words I would use to describe Ranae Rose's Hell Without You.  Donovan is a sexy veteran (who doesn't love a military man?!) who knows what he wants.  And what he want's in Clementine.  Clementine is a main character that I love to read: a female who is smart, driven, and independent.

Mrs.Rose's plot is well established and my only complaint is that I want a prequel!  Donovan and Clementine were high school sweethearts before the book begins years later.  And while I'm a huge fan of the flashbacks that we see I would LOVE to know more!! Unlike other books that I've read Mrs. Rose makes it easy to tell point of view and flashbacks are happening so as a reader I was never confused.  Another note I'd like to make sure to empathize is that Mrs.Rose's sex scenes are HOT.  I found myself both embarrassed and wanting more! (Have you ever tried to read a hot scene during a break at work and your terrified that someone is reading over your shoulder lol).

My only negative comments about this book are these:

At one point I thought the book could have ended and then a mystery appeared.  While I was intrigued I was set up for the main characters "happy ever after as we know it."  I felt that this turn of events could have happened a little earlier in the story however, I did enjoy the guessing game of a who-done-it plot.  I also had a few small questions that really aren't important to the story as a whole like "is Donovan still attending school by the end?"

I would absolutely recommend Mrs. Rose's book to anyone who loves a good romance novel and is looking for a quick read.  At a little less than 240 pages Ranae Rose will have you hooked.  If interested Mrs. Rose has chapter one and a playlist that inspired her as she was reading on her website.  I give this book an overall of 4 out of 5 stars.

This review was made by Kirasyn.  Everything in this review is my own opinion only.  This book was lent to me by Mamma D from her own collection.  The description of the book and the picture come from the author Ranae Rose's website. Thanks!

Surrender to Me by Shayla Black

Surrender to Me

Wicked Lovers, Book 4

A secret fantasy.

Hunter had everything until a bullet put his career as a Navy SEAL on hold. Restless and in need of distraction, he accepts an intriguing proposition. Restless and uncertain about his future, he accepts an intriguing proposition: share an acquaintance’s girlfriend and fulfill her fantasy of a ménage. It should have been just a night of sexual adventure between three consenting adults. But Kata is like no other girl Hunter has ever met. By turns audacious and sexy, then vulnerable and aloof, she’s a heartbreaker he’s determined to master. But he needs more than one night. And he wants to do it alone.

An uncontrollable obsession.

Kata never expected to leave her comfortable relationship and explore something so dangerously forbidden with a stranger. Hard as she tries to resist, the guilty pleasure overwhelms her, and she surrenders herself, inch by inch, to the hardcore man who wants her for himself. Consumed by blazing desire, they’re soon threatened by the shadows of the past. And now to keep Kata safe, Hunter makes her a bold proposition of his own. Saying yes will destroy her heart. But saying no could cost Kata her life.



Surrender to Me was an emotional and sexual power house of a novel.

Hunter, who is what I call an Alpha’s alpha.  He’s complex and like a fire cracker waiting to go off. A Navy Seal and a Dom, he has the confidence needed to be both.  Things he wants don’t just slide through his fingers.  What was to be a night of fun, stops him in tracks.  Going all out, like on a mission Hunter goes after Kata and there is no stopping him.  I still am not sure what I really think of Hunter.  I don’t quite think he is the “means asshole” that he is proclaimed to be, but I don’t really love him either.  There were part of him I enjoyed and times I just wanted to snack him upside the head.

Kata is her own woman.  She is strong willed and independent.  She is the one who controls her life. When a friend set up a b-day party for Katas twenty-fifth in Vegas, Ben not only gives her a party he tries to deliver her fantasy of a ménage. In walked Hunter hitting her like a ton of bricks.   She has baggage that makes men like Hunter, throw up the red flags.  Kata learns that “What happens in Vegas”, doesn’t always stay in Vegas.  Katas mind and body conflict badly when it comes to the domineering man that is Hunter. Getting lost in a man is one thing, loosing yourself to a man is another.

I have read many of the Wicked Lovers Series books, and Surrender to Me is hands down my favorite of the six that I have read.  Yes, I will admit that I have become addicted to Ms. Blacks naughty and steamy talent for writing romance.   She knows how to deliver a book that is hot, dangerous and intense.   It also makes you look outside the box.  Surrender is not quite like the pervious in the series.  I found the emotions get a bit deeper in this one.  A powerful read!

 

Callum The Cursed Clan #1 by Melissa Schroeder

His duty was all that mattered.

Callum Lennon has one goal in life: protect his cousins. His failure in the past to do just that is what drives every action. When they discover a chance for redemption, Callum is willing to try. But trusting an outsider isn’t acceptable.

A woman in need of a new beginning.

An expert in archeology, Phoebe has always felt dwarfed by her parents’ shadow. In college by thirteen, she’s never measured up to her parents’ high standards. When the Lennons contact her, she decides to take a chance…and finds herself intrigued by the most insufferable man.

A passion impossible to ignore.

One argument leads to a kiss and to an unbearable desire they cannot seem to fight. When an old enemy threatens their fragile new love, Callum will have to choose between believing his mind or trusting his heart.

Forces outside the family are determined to ensure that they fail. When an old enemy threatens both the well being of the clan and the fragile new love, Callum will have to choose between believing his mind or his heart.

5 STARS

CALLUM - THE CURSED CLAN BOOK 1

Magic, myth and mystery with sexy Scots to suck you in.

If you are are looking to read a book that you will not be able to put down, well look no further.  Ms. Schroeder delivers a story that will have you fully immersed from page one.  Legends, myths and gorgeous distant lands are just the beginning.  I got so drawn into the story, it was like I was standing along beside Callum and Phoebe.  I could clearly hear the accents of the cousins in my head.

There was nothing about this story that I did not like.  Callum and Phoebe are both wonderful characters.  Callum, so strong willed and loyal to his clan.  Everything he does is for the good of his clan.  So strong willed in fact that he almost let his pride get in the way of taking the steps of freeing the clan from the curse.  Phoebe, smart and beautiful( although she hides her beauty under ugly suits) agrees to help the Lennons.  There is something about Phoebe that I really liked.  I loved that she stood up to this big, sexy Scot.  She was good at what she did, but in ways timid and shy.  Ms. Schroeder has this great talent of knowing her characters really well before she ever puts them to the pages of a book.  They way Callum and Phoebe are together just heighten the story.

This book was good in so many ways.  Most people know Melissa Schroeder as an erotic author.  Well she did one hell of a job with paranormal.  I can’t even imagine the amount of research that went into the writing of this book.   The story has a great plot and flows amazingly.  As I said it will suck you in.  The heat level may not be as high as some of Melissa other books, but there is rich culture and deep heated passion that will not leave you lacking.

I have a funny feeling, knowing Mel, this is only a prelude of what to come in this series!

I was given a ecopy of this book for an honest review.

Lilith Enraptured by Michelle M. Pillow

Lilith Enraptured

Divinity Warriors #1 by Michelle M. Pillow

Published January 16th 2012 by The Raven Books

Sorin of Firewall lives in a land forever at war. In fact, the Starian men are so busy fighting, their marriage ceremony has been reduced to a "will of the gods" event where they simply pick a woman out of a lineup and claim her as a wife. With women becoming scarce, it's necessary to trade the offworld Divinity Corporation for brides. Duty-bound to attend the ceremony, Sorin has no intention of picking a bride, let alone one from another dimension. That is, until he sees Lilith, the bewitching woman sent by the gods to reward—or punish?—him.



Lilith, a data analyst for Divinity, is betrayed by the Corporation and wakes up in a primitive, uncharted dimension filled with warriors who know only war and duty.Her fear of becoming a sex slave to a big, beefy knight becomes all too real when a warrior of god-like proportions claims she's his new woman. As Lilith discovers, there are worse fates than being the focus of Sorin's skillful and earthy seduction.





4 STARS

Lilith Enraptured is a fine example of awesome world building with a great story and steamy love to go with it.  The book starts off as a futuristic sci-fi story, filled with medical and technological advances.  Then thrust us back in time to a medieval love story.  I loved the warriors of Starian.  Loyal and honor bound to fight the ongoing war that is known to their land.  They are Alphas all the way.  All the know is duty, war and honoring ones family.  Too many in need of a loving woman.

Lilith, taken from all she knew and left to a race of warriors who “claim” their woman in marriage.  Yes, I found her whiny at times, but then I know I would be too.  She fought a battle within herself, while knowing that was not her home, she couldn’t keep herself from loving him.  Then the battle became how do you love someone who doesn’t know the concept of love.

Sorin, is like a dream on a stick.  The perfect Alpha male.  He is big and built, a leader in battle, but war is all he knows.  He says, the Gods told him that she was the one to be his wife.  I believe that it was love at first sight.  In a race that in so wrapped up in war and the females a few, preserving the race is a forbearer to love.  He had a need to protect her at all cost and I believe that there was more than just duty and honor to it.

I had the pleasure of listing to Lilith Enraptured as an audiobook.  I thought it was a pleasant listen.  The narrator did a good job delivering this tale.  She did a great job of distinguishing who was who and  brought the emotions of the written word to life with voice.

Ms. Pillow delivered a great story with Lilith Enraptured.   The more I listen to the book the more I wanted to hear.   Super steamy love scenes with hot warriors will have you fanning yourself.  Yes the book is HOT!  A wonderful mixing of genres that gives the reader a very unique world to explore.  Well done, Ms. Pillow.

I was given an audio copy of this book from the author for an honest review.

Night Vision by Yasmine Galenorn

Night Vision by Yasmine Galenorn

Berkley Mass-Market, July 2, 2013

Eons ago, vampires tried to turn the dark Fae in order to harness their magic, only to create a demonic enemy more powerful than they could have imagined. Now, even with Myst, the Queen of the Indigo Court, temporarily out of action, the new Queens of the Golden Wood finds themselves facing incredible danger...

Destined to become the Fae Queens of Winter and Summer, Wind Witch Cicely and her cousin Rhiannon are eager to assume their roles and marry the loves of their lives. But while Myst hides in the shadows, seeking to regroup her forces, a closer danger is lurking. Renegade vampires Geoffrey and Leo manage to free the Blood Oracle and set him upon New Forest, Washington. Not satisfied with wreaking havoc on the town, Leo ups the ante by kidnapping Rhiannon. Now, Cicely must lead her forces in a bloody battle to save her cousin before everything they've worked for crumbles to dust.

Visit Yasmine on her website @ www.galenorn.com to find out more about her books.



The fourth installment of the Indigo Court series, Night Vision picks up where Night Seeker left off. Night vision takes Cicely on the journey to becoming a queen and marrying her king.  Many obstacles stand in her way and much blood will be shed. Geoffrey and Leo are still out on the run as new problems arise with the vampires. Myst still lurking in the background all the while Cicely adjust to life of a queen.

Night vision really packs a punch to the indigo court series. It's nonstop action, danger lurking around every corner and sexy as hell. It's magical and alluring but yet dark and dangerous.  I was up way to late reading just to know what happened. Without giving anything away, this book answers some lurking questions of the past and sets up for nicely the last book in the series.
War was fought, blood was shed and loss was had. However There is a wonderful balance between good and bad in this book. We see Cicely through two events that are stapled for her in the Fae world. This is a magic and the mysticism of the Fae.  A wonderful in-depth look at what the rituals and lifestyle of the Fae are.

I have said this before and I will say it again and again. Ms. Galenorn has an amazing talent in her writing.  I have been a big fan of hers for many years now and have read every book in the Indigo Court series and the Otherworld Series. To me Night Vision is by far the best. She did an amazing job of blending myth, legends, magic, darkness and light.  It's a sexy and adventurous read. The series is a must for any Urban Fantasy fan.

Dark-Hunter Reading Challenge

I am a huge Dark Hunter fan!  Sherrilyn Kenyon was one of the first PNR authors that I discovered.  I fell in love and devoured the series. I even have my very own bow and arrow tattoo!!!  When I started reading about the Dark-Hunters, Ash's book has been out a few months.  Needless to say I had a lot of reading to do.  I read 9 books in 2 weeks.  That was a record for me at the time.  I have read every book, some more than once.  If you count all the short stories, there are thirty-two stories in this series to date.

When I finished reading Styxx's book, I was almost floored.  I loved the book so much it made me want to go back from the beginning and get lost in this adventure all over again.  So I decided to make my own reading challenge this year!

Welcome to my Dark-Hunter reading challenge!

1.     FANTASY LOVER

2.     DRAGONSWAN

3.     NIGHT PLEASURES

4.     NIGHT EMBRACE

5.     PHANTON LOVER

6.     A DARK-HUNTER CHRISTMAS

7.     DANCE WITH THE DEVIL

8.     KISS OF THE NIGHT

9.     NIGHT PLAY

10.WINTER BORN

11.SEZIE THE NIGHT

12.SINS OF THE NIGHT

13.SECOND CHANCES

14.UNLEASH THE NIGHT

15.DARK SIDE OF THE MOON

16.A HARD DAYS NIGHT SERCHER

17.UNTIL DEATH WE DO PART

18.THE DREAM HUNTER

19.FEAR THE DARKNESS

20.DEVIL MAY CRY

21.UPON THE MIDNIGHT CLEAR

22.DREAM CHASER

23.ASHERON

24.WHERE ANGEL FEAR TO TREAD

25.SHADOW OF THE MOON

26.ONE SLIENT NIGHT

27.DREAM WARRIOR

28.BAD MOON RAISING

29.NO MERCY

30.RETRIBUTION

31.THE GUARDIAN

32.TIME UNTIME

33.STYXX

The goal is to read all the Dark-Hunter books including the shorts in order this year. With a series this big, sometimes you need to go back, revisit a few people and remember how events have unfolded.

According to www.dark-hunter.com and www.wikipedia.com this is the reading order:

 

I have made a page on my blog under Reading Challenges to keep track of my progress.  I will also blog about each book.  This is going to be such a fun challenge.  To go back and meet all the Dark, Dream and Were Hunters all over again.  I can’t wait to fall in love all over again!

So if you are a Dark-Hunter lover and wanting to partake in this challenge. Leave a comment below.  Sorry peeps, I am new to the blogging world and don’t know how to make one of those awesome button thingies yet. LOL!  Make a shelf on your goodread.com or booklike.com page and put a link to it in your comment.  Those of you who complete the challenge, I will put you in a drawing for some Dark-Hunter swag!!   

 

Bound By Night

Bound By Night

Moon Bound Clan Vampires book 1

Larissa Ione gave us a twist of what it means to be a vampires in Bound By Night.  Yes they are still strong as all get out. They have powers that humans don’t and have the need of blood.  They are still the sexy vampires that we have come to love.  Ms. Ione has created a world where vampires are enslaved and persecuted.  Vampire are captured tested on, trained and made to be servants to humans.

With that being said, I really liked this book.  Putting the vampire as a lesser being in human eyes, and making them fight for what they want and need. I loved the Native American tones set into the book.  Ms. Ione has done a wonderful job of building this new vampire world.  I am a sucker for world building, Bound By Night doesn't let down. I look forward to see what is going to be happening for the MoonBound Clan.

As I enjoyed our lead lady and vamp, however some of the secondary characters of the story really stood out for me. Nicole and Riker are fighting the same battle on opposite sides of the coin. Each of them dealing with loss in the past from vampires for her, humans for him.    Watching these two hardheaded people try to work through the issues of their past, while dealing with the proverbial shit hitting the fan, while trying not to feel the raging emotions that are coming from both of them was quite entertaining.

Myne is the big scary guy you want to have around when you need to intimidate someone.  He's silent and deadly. We get a glimpse of his past and this book that makes me definitely want to read more about him.

Hunter, the clans leader.  He is always willing to do what is right for his clan.  Sexy and a bit mysterious, I really want to learn more about Hunter.

Bound By Night is a great start to this series.  Action that kept me turning the pages.  A different way of life for vampires.  Great world building!  Hands down, it was a good book!

Audio Book Reading Challenge!

I came a crossed this today and I just had to do it!  I'm an audio book junkie and this a great challenge for me!  If you are a lover of audio book or looking to expand you reading horizons, Check out The Book Nymphos challenge!

http://thebooknympho.com/2014-audiobook-challenge/

 

 

First Grave on the Right!

This whole grim reaper thing should have come with a manual.
Or a diagram of some kind.
A flow chart would have been nice.

Charley Davidson is a part-time private investigator and full-time grim reaper. Meaning, she sees dead people. Really. And it's her job to convince them to "go into the light." But when these very dead people have died under less than ideal circumstances (like murder), sometimes they want Charley to bring the bad guys to justice. Complicating matters are the intensely hot dreams she's been having about an entity who has been following her all her life...and it turns out he might not be dead after all. In fact, he might be something else entirely. But what does he want with Charley? And why can't she seem to resist him? And what does she have to lose by giving in?

With scorching-hot tension and high-octane humor, First Grave on the Right is your signpost to paranormal suspense of the highest order.

REVIEW

We all know that coffee and a good book go hand-in-hand. When you add an abundance of laughter to the mix that makes a great book. Darynda Jones did just that in First Grave on the Right.

Charley Davidson is a part time private investigator, full-time Grim Reaper.  She is the kind of person I would want to have for a friend. She is smart, strong-willed, daring, a strong sense of doing what is right and a coffee addict. She uses humor to get through the tough parts of life. She will put her self in harms way to save someone in danger. She will fight to get what she wants and will not back down. One tough lady!

Secondary characters Uncle Bob, Charley's assistant Cookie, Garrett and Reyes add the substance that every paranormal novel needs. The mysterious maybe bad guy that is just too hot for his good. The assistant that can pull anything out of thin air find out what you need to know and take care of Charley in ways that she didn't even know she needed. Cookie also make sure the caffeine flows which is a plus in my book.  Garrett adds tension to Charleys life but I believe helps keep her on her toes and then some at times. Uncle Bob is the man have on your side. Knowing some Charley secret, Uncle Bob works with her to help make wrong things right.

Ms. Jones does not slack in any aspect of this book. The suspense is high and keeps you turning the pages to find out what is going on. The humor is beyond amazing. I love the banter between the characters. I love the one-liners that come out and the wisecrack comebacks. We also get a new way of looking at what a Grim Reaper is in this book.   Ms. Jones also gives us some steamy heat throughout this book. I can't say much more that will just give away the book but I tell you what is definitely worth reading.

I don’t think I have laughed so much while reading a book. First Grave on the Right gave me everything I needed in paranormal suspense and then some. Thank you Darynda for writing a wonderful story  that contains characters that love coffee as much as I do. I am very much looking forward to reading more in the series.

4 Star rating!

2014 Reading Goals!

A new year is beginning,that means it's time for more books.  As a self-proclaimed avid reader, I love the beginning of the year for setting new goals. This year I wanted to do something different for my reading goals. I want to do more than just set a number of books to read. This year I am setting goals with in the books that I will be reading. Also with starting the book blog this year I want to include that with in my goals.  I maybe biting off more than I think I am but I  sure gonna give it a try.

So here are my list of goals.

1.To read a total of 80 books. This is the number of books I set for 2013 and achieve that goal. I am not increasing the number because of the other goals I am setting for myself.

2. To find ten new to me authors to read and talk about on the blog.

3. To review at least half of the books I read.

4. To branch out of my reading comfort zone. I started reading contemporary romance this year and have enjoyed it. I want to include reading more contemporary, romantic suspense, and some steampunk added in there.

5. Read my first Nora Roberts book this year.

6. To reread the Dark Hunter series by Sherrilyn Kenyon.  I have read all the books and short stories of this series.  After reading Styxx in 2013 (OMG, That book!!!), and reliving some events of the past, I feel it is time to start over again!!

7. And last but not least get caught up on all my series that I little behind on.

This is my list so far.  Some goals may be added or changed.  That is the way life goes!  It’s a start and that is what counts.  I am keeping my finger crossed. I will keep everyone posted as to how my year in reading progresses.  Good luck to everyone in your own reading goals.