Queen B's hubby reviews: A Shot in the Dark by K.A. Stewart (Jesse James Dawson #2)

Jesse James Dawson's vacation is interrupted by a pack of hell-spawned creatures. To save friends, family and himself, Jesse will have to put his trust in his most dangerous enemy-his personal demon.

Note: I received a copy for review from the publisher.

Buy links: A Shot in the Dark: A Jesse James Dawson Novel (Jesse Dawson)
book depository


My dearest and my darling reviewed the first in this series for me last year. Now, he is back with his usual charm and panache (back off, bitches, he's mine...and he totally snores) to review the newest offering in the Jesse James Dawson series by K.A. Stewart. Please show him the love...

After reading the first book in this series I was a little skeptical, as the first book had interesting concepts with imperfect but adequate storytelling. I am pleased to announce that this outing is extremely solid. Now that the characters and world have been established this book concentrates on a well done combination of action and tense anxiety. The story follows protagonist Jesse James Dawson, who eviscerates demons with cheery abandon. When someone makes the mistake of selling their soul to shady characters, they call in a champion like Jesse to fight in their stead. Now that Jesse has a few notches adding up on his belt, the underworld is conspiring to end his winning streak. Things quiet down after the ending events of A Devil in the Details, and (against his better judgement) Jesse proceeds to go on the annual paintball vacation with all of his best friends. The boys all head out to a cabin in the Colorado Rockies, where an ambush is flagrantly waiting for them. The situation quickly devolves into a seige of the tiny cottage. This was the highlight of the book, as all the action was punctuated by tense scenes of scrambling to mount defenses, as well as blaming eachother for the situation. Fighting eachother as well as demonic entities makes for a nice bit of drama. The atmosphere had a palpable sense of foreboding for almost the entire story, and really added to my entertainment.

There was some heavy handed foreshadowing that made the story extremely predictable, but this did not hinder my enjoyment of their fight for survival. The action scenes are well written and had me on the edge of my seat. Overall I enjoyed part two much more than the first. Indeed, this book seems like a major departure from all of the mundane activity of the previous story. Well done Ms. Stewart, you have gotten me to care about what happens next in the series. The only other issue I had was whenever Jesse had an inner monologue it came across a little like a womans' voice. I had this same criticism of A Devil in the Details, but honestly it is not as bad this time around. However, at some points it almost seemed like the author was deliberately trying to sound like a man, which kinda made it worse. At any rate these moments were few and did not affect the flow of the story that badly, but they were noticeable. Despite my gripes I did enjoy the story, and the characters were developed nicely (everytime Axel, the demon, shows up he steals the show). So if you've read the first book you really should pick this one up and see what's new in Mr. Dawson's world.

Final Grade: B

Review: Dirty Kiss by Rhys Ford (And Giveaway!!)

Cole Kenjiro McGinnis, ex-cop and PI, is trying to get over the shooting death of his lover when a supposedly routine investigation lands in his lap. Investigating the apparent suicide of a prominent Korean businessman’s son proves to be anything but ordinary, especially when it introduces Cole to the dead man’s handsome cousin, Kim Jae-Min.

Jae-Min’s cousin had a dirty little secret, the kind that Cole has been familiar with all his life and that Jae-Min is still hiding from his family. The investigation leads Cole from tasteful mansions to seedy lover’s trysts to Dirty Kiss, the place where the rich and discreet go to indulge in desires their traditional-minded families would rather know nothing about.

It also leads Cole McGinnis into Jae-Min’s arms, and that could be a problem. Jae-Min’s cousin’s death is looking less and less like a suicide, and Jae-Min is looking more and more like a target. Cole has already lost one lover to violence—he’s not about to lose Jae-Min too.

Note: I received a copy for review from the author

Buy link: e-book
paperback
Author's Website
Rhys on twitter
Pub Date: July 1, 2011

Dirty Kiss is a well written mystery/romance featuring two very different men that have to face familial and cultural obstacles along with a fanatical killer just to be together.

The story is told through the eyes of Cole, a Japanese/Irish former cop who is now a private investigator. Cole has faced hate and loss in his life and although he hides behind a great sense of humor and a few close friendships, he's basically cut himself off from any hopes at romantic feelings again. I really liked Cole. He's a guy that I can see having a drink with down at the bar and he's also the guy you call when your back's against the wall and you need a loyal friend to turn to. For all the betrayal and lack of understanding he's faced in his life, he's not a bitter or hateful person. He lives his life as he pleases and he knows that not everyone is going to like it, so he accepts if they choose not to be in his life. He's damaged, haunted and wounded but he's so worth fighting for.

The man that finally reaches through the protective shell that Cole has encased his heart and even his sex drive behind is the enigmatic and beautiful, Jae. Jae has also faced hatred, betrayal and very hard times, but unlike Cole, Jae is a captive to his cultural and familial obligations and knows that he will never have the luxury of saying "eff you" to the world and living as he pleases. This is frustrating to Cole, but over time he begins to understand what it means to have such a strong sense of family and culture, all the beauty and ugliness of such ties and how they make their members both stronger and weaker.

The romance is sweet with two wary and wounded men that come from two different worlds trying to learn to trust and discovering if what they have is worth fighting for. The supporting cast is vivid and full of dynamic and varied characters. My personal favorite being the incomparable Scarlet. The mystery is intriguing and the threat of violence hanging over Cole and Jae give an urgency to the relationship. The ending is satisfying and leaves the door open for more growth and adventures while giving the reader, and I believe the characters, hope for the future.

The book is thought provoking, sexy and at times graphic.

I recommend this book to fans of mystery, suspense and gay romance.

Final Grade: B+

Now, thanks to the lovely author, I have one copy of Dirty Kiss for a lucky commenter to win. Just comment on this post and leave your email address. The contest will run from now until Friday, July 8, 2011 at 11:59 pm PST. Contest is open internationally. (Much thanks to Rhys!)

Good luck!!

Smokin' Seventeen by Janet Evanovich

Where there's smoke there's fire, and no one knows this better than New Jersey bounty hunter, Stephanie Plum. The bail bonds office has burned to the ground, and bodies are turning up in the empty construction lot. To make matters worse, Stephanie is working out of a motor home she shares with a dancing bear, and Joe Morelli's old world grandmother has declared a vendetta against her. And just when Stephanie decides it might be time to choose between the two men in her life, Morelli and Ranger, a third man from Stephanie's past moves back to Trenton...

Break out a cold drink and slap on some sunscreen, this summer is sure to be a scorcher with Smokin' Seventeen.


The last few books from 13 on have really lost all charm and appeal for me. Recycled lines, plots, jokes, sexual tension that's not even a ping on the radar and less than no character development. I honestly felt like after 12, Ms Evanovich reached a point where she might actually have to go forward with the characters and series, so she backed off. Unfortunately, she took it so far that she basically put it in reverse.

These books are not supposed to be taken overly seriously. They're supposed to be ridiculous and funny and larger than life and zany with some action, suspense and smexy times thrown in. Unfortunately since 12 she hasn't delivered on most of that.
However, this book was worlds better than the last 4. I actually laughed hysterically at a few parts and she definitely stepped up the steaminess which felt like overdrive considering the absolute desert we'd been wading through for several books, but you won't hear me complain. At this point I felt like I needed it as bad as Steph did.
I do believe that there will be something happening with the relationship choice soon, unfortunately because of the awful way it's been written this far, if it isn't handled right in the next couple books, either way she goes is just going to feel off for me.
I honestly feel that at this point the relationship with Morelli has been so very destroyed, plus the character of Morelli has been cut up pretty bad, that she really needs to make a clean break with that relationship at least for a few books while she and Ranger try to make an honest go of it. If, in the end, the Ranger thing doesn't work she can run back into Joe and they can start fresh with her and Ranger as friends and allies. Or, she and Ranger might really shock themselves and work and she and Joe can be good friends and she'll have an in at the police station. Either way, something that makes sense needs to happen at some point, but that's just my two cents.

All in all a much stronger and sexier and funnier addition (though the mystery and the third love interest was basically nonstarters)that will leave fans hopeful that we're getting our Stephanie Plum back.

Final Grade: B

As an aside, a big gripe I have is that in order for dumb luck to save Steph and not Ranger, she constantly runs to Morelli with all her concerns and possible leads which he never is able to do anything about instead of going to Ranger who is the only one to ever be effective at protecting her, and then she gets almost killed. Every time. Just saying.

Review: Sabine and The Beast by Moira Rogers (and the beast #1)

A curse can erase her from his mind, but never from his heart.

…and the Beast, Book 1

After three years at war, the High Lord of the Forest returns to his lands, a victorious wolf leader intent on claiming his mate. Instead Ciar finds an empty bed and a court with no recollection of the woman he loved. Following her long-cold trail proves far easier than facing what awaits him at the end.

Sabine’s first instinct is to beg her beloved to leave. The High Lord’s mother hired a witch to curse Sabine, desperate to wipe the lowborn wolf from her son’s mind. But the spell worked too well, and Sabine has vanished from the thoughts of everyone who sees her. Including her own family.

The edges of his memory already blurring, Ciar and Sabine must race to find a way to reverse the spell. Yet every searing moment together is not enough to stop the curse’s inexorable progress. His only chance is to bind Sabine to him too tightly to be forgotten, before she disappears once and for all.

Product Warnings
This story contains cruel betrayal, destined love, vile curses, smoldering reunions, wicked deeds between wanton shapeshifters and a happily-ever-after worthy of any fairy tale.

Buy link: Sabine
Author's Website

Sabine and The Beast was a very enjoyable read. There is definitely a fairy tale feel, but updated and made sexier. The romance between Ciar and Sabine is very sweet. Right from the beginning, the reader knows they have a strong history and their commitment to each other and desire to be together forever is never in doubt. The story was very poignant as Ciar struggles not to forget the woman he loves and Sabine wonders if she has the strength to carry on if he does. Even her own mother forgot her and this last forgetting may be too much for her to bear.

There is sex and it is hot, but it's always more tender and emotional which suited the story and the characters well.

Speaking of characters, the reader isn't introduced to too many since this is a shorter story and it's dedicated to Sabine and Ciar and their plight, but the few that are met are very interesting. I loved the bit with the First Warlord and how gruff, but loyal and fair he is. The world is shown well and it's easy to feel that you're there and watching the drama and romance unfold.

My one gripe with the story was that I personally felt Ciar didn't deal strongly enough with hs mother. I know she's his mom and all, but she showed no remorse when all was said and done. I mean, she could have been like, "Dude, I wanted my son to forget you, but I didn't realize EVERYONE would. That was a bit harsh and I'm kinda sorry about that." Instead, she was like, she's not noble, whatev, don't care. In that case, I think I would have sentenced her to three years living with the common people. Take that, snotty wench. But that's just me...

We hear a lot about the lions in this one and so it's a good thing that the second book is featuring them. I'll be off to get that one next.

All in all, a sweet, sexy and emotionally satisfying read that leaves you wanting to visit this world again.

Final Grade: B

Review and Giveaway: Kindling the Moon by Jenn Bennett (Arcadia Bell #1)

Being the spawn of two infamous occultists (and alleged murderers) isn’t easy, but freewheeling magician Arcadia “Cady” Bell knows how to make the best of a crummy situation. After hiding out for seven years, she’s carved an incognito niche for herself slinging drinks at the demon-friendly Tambuku Tiki Lounge.

But she receives an ultimatum when unexpected surveillance footage of her notorious parents surfaces: either prove their innocence or surrender herself. Unfortunately, the only witness to the crimes was an elusive Æthyric demon, and Cady has no idea how to find it. She teams up with Lon Butler, an enigmatic demonologist with a special talent for sexual spells and an arcane library of priceless stolen grimoires. Their research soon escalates into a storm of conflict involving missing police evidence, the decadent Hellfire Club, a ruthless bounty hunter, and a powerful occult society that operates way outside the law. If Cady can’t clear her family name soon, she’ll be forced to sacrifice her own life . . . and no amount of running will save her this time.

Note: I received a copy from the author for review

Pub Date: June 28, 2011
Publisher: Pocket Books/Simon $ Schuster
Format: Available as e-book as well as paperback

Buy links
Amazon: Kindling the Moon: An Arcadia Bell Novel
book depository
Author's Website

Edited to add: Contest is now closed and winner notified.

Kindling the Moon is a wonderful debut novel by author Jenn Bennett. I really enjoyed her take on demons and magicians and the mythos of the world she has created. The characters were fascinating and dynamic and very relatable considering that they tend to be anything but ordinary humans. We have a good mix of mystery, action, love, lust, betrayal and family dynamics to keep the reader turning the pages to see what happens next.

Arcadia is a good protagonist. She's powerful, smart, sassy and honest with herself about her strengths and weaknesses and she owns when she screws up. She tries to be a good person and has compassion for others, but she's also not afraid to do what has to be done to survive and to protect the people she cares about. I like that in a main character. I don't enjoy wishy-washy characters and their forced angst because you know that in most cases, it's just so the reader doesn't feel that the MC is a sociopath. For me, if you show just cause and you're billing the character as tough and a badass, I don't need a bunch of faux angst and rehashing things while we cruise the guilt trip highway. I'm good, thanks.

I really enjoyed the supporting cast of characters as well. Father Carrow was one of my faves. In my opinion, he's a great example of a subtly layered character that doesn't fit in a box and I give the author props for not trying to put him in one. All the characters had layers and depth. They all had strengths and weaknesses and flaws and so they were very intriguing to read about. At one point I wanted to smack Lon, our enigmatic love interest and father to the exuberant and lovable Jupe, but I had to give the author and Lon credit because it was worked out promptly in the next chapter where he called himself on his crap and apologized. I liked that it didn't drag into "the thing that keeps them apart until the next book" scenario. It made it more believable. Parents aren't always rational when it comes to their kids' safety and if they already blame themselves for past parental mistakes, they are likely to lash out, but at least he didn't paint himself firmly into unreasonable asshole corner by not being able to admit that he was being a bit hypocritical. I had to learn to go with the flow in this story because the characters would do something that irritated me and I was so used to those types of things not being addressed in other books/series that I wasn't expecting it to happen here. Well, for the most part I was wrong. I really enjoyed that a lot of questions that popped in my head were admitted to and possibly answered by the characters as well.

My one honest issue with this story was that for a generally smart cookie, Arcadia (or Cady) came off as almost deliberately obtuse about a few of the most obvious things in the book. If you follow my reviews at all, you'll know that that is a big pet peeve of mine. There was one part where something that I felt Cady should obviously be concerned about or at least attempt to research she was completely blase about and naturally that came back to bite her in a big way. Instances of this popped up here and there in the story, but it wasn't enough to make me want to stop reading and the characters were likable enough that I wanted to see where the story led them.

Something else that I enjoyed about Ms. Bennett's writing style is her descriptions of characters and setting. I often times have a hard time visualizing these things, but the descriptions were so concise and clear that I had absolutely no trouble getting great mental images that really enhanced the reading experience for me.

I recommend this book to fans of UF and even Paranormal Romance. A fun, fast and highly entertaining read that left me more than willing to take another ride with Arcadia in whatever new adventure awaits her.

Final Grade: B+

Now, thanks to the very gracious author I am able to offer up one signed copy of Kindling the Moon for one lucky winner. Contest is only open to the Continental United States and is going to be open until Tuesday, June 28 at 11:59 pm PST. All you have to do to enter is leave a comment on this post. That's it!

Thanks for reading and good luck!

ETA: I will announce the winner here on the blog on June 29. If I don't hear from the winner by July 2, I will redraw for a new winner.

Quick and Dirty Review: Shimmerlight by Jill Myles

Chloe Sorenson's just started a brand new job at Ms. Muffet's art gallery. However, no one told her that the latest auction piece - a sculpture of a handsome Roman soldier - comes to life. Think it's hard to explain to your boss why you're fondling a statue? Try explaining to the statue why you're holding his, uh, fig leaf. Chloe never thought that touching the statue would turn him into a sexy, aroused man, but she's not saying no to this delicious Roman soldier. The curse requires that she touch him at all times? Such a hardship...

But there's a problem in their lust-fueled relationship; she's falling dangerously in love with a guy that cursed to be hard as a rock - literally - unless she can somehow free him. And the statue of Titus just went up for auction. If she doesn't do something, he's going to be out of her life and trapped for all eternity...

This novella (16,000 words - about 70 pages) contains explicit scenes, including some backdoor play.

Buy link
Shimmerlight (An Erotic Time Travel Romance)
Author's Website

Shimmerlight is a short erotic story that is sweet and sexy. We have our heroine Chloe who is a young widow that is just finished with school and entering the workforce. This is her first real job in her chosen career and she's very nervous about doing a good job and pleasing her employer, Ms. Muffet (yes, that's her name). She's lonely and in need of some TLC.

Enter the hero, Titus. He, too, is lonely and in need of TLC. He's been trapped as a statue for centuries and for a virile young warrior, that's a tough punishment. The two of them come together well. They bring new life and joy to each other in a very sexy and fun way. The hitch in the happy proceedings is that Titus' statue self is going to be sold soon and they have little hope of being able to free him in time. How can these two star-crossed lovers find their Happily Ever After?

This is a very short and fast read. It has lots of sex for the length (ha!) and is able to pack in emotion and a plot at the same time, which is no easy feat in a short story, in my humble opinion.

Final Grade: B-

The Restorer (Graveyard Queen #1) by Amanda Stevens

My name is Amelia Gray. I’m a cemetery restorer who sees ghosts. In order to protect myself from the parasitic nature of the dead, I’ve always held fast to the rules passed down from my father. But now a haunted police detective has entered my world and everything is changing, including the rules that have always kept me safe.

It started with the discovery of a young woman’s brutalized body in an old Charleston graveyard I’ve been hired to restore. The clues to the killer—and to his other victims— lie in the headstone symbolism that only I can interpret. Devlin needs my help, but his ghosts shadow his every move, feeding off his warmth, sustaining their presence with his energy. To warn him would be to invite them into my life. I’ve vowed to keep my distance, but the pull of his magnetism grows ever stronger even as the symbols lead me closer to the killer and to the gossamer veil that separates this world from the next.

Disclaimer: I received a copy for review from Netgalley

Genre: Paranormal Romance, Mystery
Pub Date: 4/19/11
Buy link: The Restorer (Graveyard Queen)
Author's Website

The Restorer took me by surprise. This was a much darker, sexier and sinister read than I had been expecting. At first I had some trouble with the mythos of this world. I didn't completely understand why things were the way they were, but as the story unfolded it became a bit clearer. Quite honestly, the dark, eerie and sexy quality of the story put me into a place where I didn't really care if it all made sense or it all my questions were answered. It was like a warm, sultry Southern night where you wake the next morning and wonder if it was all dreams or....if it was real and you're not sure which answer you'd prefer.

There was so much going on in this story, so many undercurrents. We had Devlin and his ghosts (both real and emotional) and we had the mystery surrounding him, we had the mystery of the murders and several characters that may or may not be tied to it, then we have the mystery of the supernatural and what is going on with that world and ours and why the rules that Amelia have lived by for so long no longer seem to be enough to protect her. Amelia's family seems to have their own secrets as well and Amelia needs to know the truth. It was like she was wading through a world of dreams and nightmares of lies and half-truths and I was hooked wanting to know just what was going on. In some ways this story could seem convoluted and confusing, but it was written well enough and the threads were all woven together to make it a cohesive and rather fascinating story.

The Restorer really didn't read like a romance to me, in that there was very little romantic interaction between Devlin and Amelia, but the interaction they did have was so full of tension and yearning that mixed with an all around intriguing story, I was hooked. The ending left me on pins and needles to find out what is going to happen next. I can't wait to revisit this world and these characters and discover all of their secrets.

Final Grade: B+

Review: Dragon Bound by Thea Harrison

Half-human and half-wyr, Pia Giovanni spent her life keeping a low profile among the wyrkind and avoiding the continuing conflict between them and their dark Fae enemies. But after being blackmailed into stealing a coin from the hoard of a dragon, Pia finds herself targeted by one of the most powerful-and passionate-of the Elder races.

Genre: Paranormal Romance
Publisher: Penguin Group (USA)
Pub Date: May 2011

Buy links:
Dragon Bound (A Novel of the Elder Races)
Barnes and Noble
book depository

Dragon Bound is a great start to a new series by Thea Harrison, whom you can find on twitter here. She's loads of fun and really nice which doubles my fangirl love.

Dragon Bound was a really fun read. The world is so well established that I had no trouble picturing it and all its inhabitants. The story was easy to follow and the characters were very likable.

Dragos is a typical alpha male in a lot of ways. What I did love is that he is unapologetic about it. He tries to compromise a bit, in deference to Pia's feelings and to show her that her thoughts and feelings do matter, but he also admits that his instincts are strong and he can only bend so far. That was nice. I like strong characters that stay strong. Yes, I think there should be compromise and give as well as evolution of the character, but I hate to see a Protag completely neutered or assassinated to make them more palatable. It also doesn't hurt that Dragos is a hottie with all the fiery passion one would expect of an eons old dragon. I loved that Dragos was both raw and rough but also civilized and intelligent. Nice juxtaposition of the two.

Pia is also typical for a heroine in some ways. She's nurturing and giving and all about life and love and softness. However, what made her stand out and made me really like her is that she's all of those things, but she's also tough, logical, willing to do what she has to do to survive or protect the ones she loves and she's not bad in a fight. This made her a bit more layered and kept her from being so perfect that she was unrelatable. She stands up to Dragos and at times is frightened by him, but she knows when to stand firm and when to be cajoling and yielding. She's not manipulative, but she knows her guy and how to keep him in line and behaved. Which I would imagine would be a necessity if you were mated to a friggin' dragon.

Overall, there's action and romance, humor and great characters that I can't wait to read more about. Which is very convenient since there are several more books planned in the series. For excerpts of the second book, due out in August and titled Storm's Heart, and information about the series, please visit the author's website here.

Final Grade: B

Quick and Dirty Review: Kitty Goes to War by Carrie Vaughn (Kitty Norville #8)

Kitty Goes to War by Carrie Vaughn

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Synopsis from Goodreads: Kitty Norville, Alpha werewolf and host of The Midnight Hour, a radio call-in show, is contacted by a friend at the NIH's Center for the Study of Paranatural Biology. Three Army soldiers recently returned from the war in Afghanistan are being held at Ft. Carson in Colorado Springs. They're killer werewolves—and post traumatic stress has left them unable to control their shape-shifting and unable to interact with people. Kitty agrees to see them, hoping to help by bringing them into her pack.

Meanwhile, Kitty gets sued for libel by CEO Harold Franklin after featuring Speedy Mart—his nationwide chain of 24-hour convenience stores with a reputation for attracting supernatural unpleasantness—on her show.

Very bad weather is on the horizon.

I really enjoyed this one....right up until the end. The action was great, character development was there and I can see that the series isn't stalling out or becoming redundant. All good things. But then there's Cormac.

Cormac is such a fabulous character. I love his dynamic with Kitty. Love his dynamic with Ben. Love the three of them in this committed yet slightly awkward pack of three. The thing is, there has to be resolution at some point. The Cormac/Kitty unresolved issues have to be resolved. Now, I am a hardcore Cormac/Kitty shipper. I love Ben. I really do, but I want him out. HOWEVER, I could be ok if we see Kitty and Cormac air out their feelings and issues and just be committed to being bffs/family. What I CANNOT deal with is any sort of assassination of the character of Cormac or some overly convenient plot development that makes the Kitty/Cormac/Ben issue moot. So, you'll understand how wary I am of the new development regarding Cormac and his abilities. I can see how it could be cool and add a lot of angst/action/drama and so forth to the story, but I can also see it being an out that will be used to gloss over the Kitty/Cormac/Ben triangle and completely change Cormac beyond all recognition. I want to trust Carrie Vaughn not to do this, but I'm nervous, y'all.

Anyone else with me on this?

Also, I felt like there was a lead up to possible issues with Kitty's leadership of her pack. Anyone else catch that one, or am I delusional?







View all my reviews

Final Grade: 4 star rating translating to about a B on this one.

Wilder's Mate by Moira Rogers

Genre: Steampunk Western Paranormal Romance
Pub Date: 3/8/11
Format: E-book
Publisher: Samhain Publishing
Note: I won a copy of the book from the author on twitter

Wilder Harding is a bloodhound, created by the Guild to hunt down and kill vampires on America's frontier. His enhanced abilities come with a high price: on the full moon, he becomes capable of savagery beyond telling, while the new moon brings a sexual hunger that borders on madness.

Rescuing a weapons inventor from undead kidnappers is just another assignment, though one with an added complication--keeping his hands off the man's pretty young apprentice, who insists on tagging along.

At odds with polite society, Satira's only constant has been the aging weapons inventor who treats her like a daughter. She isn't going to trust Wilder with Nathaniel's life, not when the Guild might decide the old man isn't worth saving. Besides, if there's one thing she's learned, it's that brains are more important than brawn.

As the search stretches far longer than Wilder planned, he finds himself fighting against time. If Satira is still at his side when the new moon comes, nothing will stop him from claiming her. Worse, she seems all too willing. If their passion unlocks the beast inside, no one will be safe. Not even the man they're fighting to save.

Wilder's Mate is the fist in Moira Rogers' new Bloodhound series. At around a hundred pages it's a pretty fast and easy read. The story is a lovely mix of steampunk fun and paranormal romance, so fans of either should enjoy it.

Wilder is a great hero. He's alpha, but he's actually very tender and caring and very observant. He realizes early on what Satira needs on an emotional level in order to be satisfied on a physical level and he strives to give it to her. He's insightful, brave and noble. He was actually a very different character than I had assumed just based on the summary and it was a bit refreshing.

Satira is an interesting character. She's brave but not too stupid to live with it. She does admit to herself and Wilder that she's desperate enough to save her mentor that she would indeed be willing to do some stupid things, but I could understand what drove her and that she was always aware of what she was doing. Satira was a bit of a contradiction. In some ways she is far from innocent and in others she is very naive which I think is one of the things Wilder liked about her. She's a good heroine but her neediness and constant inner doubts did annoy me after awhile.

Overall the story is a good one. There's adventure and sex and a wild west meets steampunk feel going on that made for fun reading. The romance was good and felt real enough. My one complaint on that end is that Satira was so needy. It was a bit hard to believe she wouldn't have fallen hard for any man that didn't treat her bad and made her feel needed. Aside from that, it was a good story with likable characters and interesting twists.

Final Grade: B

Wilder's Mate: Bloodhounds, Book 1

Author's Website

River Marked by Patricia Briggs

Car mechanic Mercy Thompson has always known there was something different about her, and not just the way she can make a VW engine sit up and beg. Mercy is a shapeshifter, a talent she inherited from her long-gone father. She's never known any others of her kind. Until now.

An evil is stirring in the depths of the Columbia River-one that her father's people may know something about. And to have any hope of surviving, Mercy and her mate, the Alpha werewolf Adam, will need their help...

Note: Review may contain spoilers

I love the Mercy Thompson series. I have since the first book. And I've been to two signings with Patricia Briggs and I can honestly say that she is a lovely person who is very gracious and has a wonderful sense of humor and I think the books reflect that.

Having said that, I have some mixed feelings about River Marked.

The first half or so of the book is especially mixed for me. I really did enjoy that we were able to spend more time with just Mercy and Adam, because frankly, they really needed to spend time without the demands of pack and family. So that was really great. However, it also felt rather slow and didn't hold my attention as well as the books usually do and I hate to say that. I really do. I did love the small bit of Stefan and Bran and Sam that we got. ::sigh:: I do love Bran and his relationship with Mercy and it's so great to see her finally recognizing and accepting his fatherly love for her. And I loved that we learned a bit about Charles and how he's protective of Mercy even when she didn't realize it. So fab.

The Native American mythology was fascinating and handled well, to my ignorant mind, but it still dragged for me. Also, I felt like Mercy was being deliberately obtuse for half the story. It bothered me that she was so blind to things. Mercy has always been smart and a fast thinker so this obliviousness really bothered me.
Some of the relationship issues annoyed me a bit as well. But as usual, Mercy and Adam worked through them with honesty and a courage that does their relationship credit.

The second part of the story really got interesting. The new characters that were introduced were great and revelations about Mercy's dad just felt right and made the story very interesting. I loved the character of Coyote. He is so much trouble and yet, he seems to care a lot about what happens to the world of man. Mercy learns a lot about herself, her heritage and her relationship with Adam in this book. Her devotion to those she loves is always wonderful to read. It's also great to see her growing into her skin more and more. Many of the revelations in this entry leads to more questions but that was great for me because it makes for plenty of material for more books in this series which continues to be one of my favorite in the Urban Fantasy genre.

Overall, River Marked is a solid entry in the Mercy Thompson series. A bit of a slower start than the previous books, perhaps, but the second half and the ending more than make up for it.

Final Grade: B+

As a side note, I went to the Patricia Briggs signing in SD this weekend, 3/6, and someone asked her about the writing of the traumatic events in Iron Kissed. I have to write a paraphrasing of what Ms Briggs said because it was such a great answer and really touched me.

Basically she said she really struggled with writing that part of the book and that she was unsure is she should do it, knowing that it would probably alienate a lot of people. In the end though, she didn't want to send the message that if something bad happens to you, that you are no longer worth being the heroine. That that character can no longer carry a UF series. Also, she didn't want to send a message that if you're smart enough and strong enough, you can keep bad things from happening to you and that only weak people have these things happen to them. She wanted to show that you can face really horrible things and come out on the other side. And be worthy of love. She also said that even though things may not end perfectly for Mercy at the ending of each book, she likes to leave the reader in a better place. She never wants to end on a note of despair. And as a reader, I really have to say that I appreciate that. I also appreciate that she took a chance and wrote something that not everyone liked, but that was true to the characters and the events happening in the book. I appreciate that she took the stance that even the strongest people go through bad shit and that they can triumph and it doesn't lessen their worth. Thank you for that, Patty. I think that's ultimately a wonderful message.

River Marked (Mercy Thompson, Book 6)

Review: Stone Kissed by Keri Stevens

Note: I received a copy for review from netgalley
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Pub Date: 12/10
When Delia Forrest talks to statues, they talk back. She is, after all, the last of the Steward witches.

After an arsonist torches her ancestral home with her estranged father still inside, Delia is forced to sell the estate to pay his medical bills. Her childhood crush, Grant Wolverton, makes a handsome offer for Steward House, vowing to return it to its former glory. Delia agrees, as long as he'll allow her to oversee the restoration.

Working so closely with Grant, Delia finds it difficult to hide her unique talent—especially when their growing passion fuels her abilities.

But someone else lusts after both her man and the raw power contained in the Steward land. Soon Delia finds herself fighting not just for Grant's love, but for both their lives...

This was a fun and touching read that I read in one night. Keri Stevens' characters really come alive in this story, and considering many of those characters are made of stone, I think that says something.

Delia is a sweet girl with a lot on her plate. Her estranged father is in critical condition and suffering from terrible burns. The home that she adores and always felt safe in has been burned and must now be sold to pay for her father's mounting hospital bills. The man she's had a secret crush on for years is back in her life and more than a little cold and intimidating. Then there is the small matter of how the statues in town are talking to her nonstop and even starting to move around. Delia could have easily been a victim or a doormat of a character, but somehow her sweetness was also met with an equally stubborn and strong side to her. I liked her, I really did. A few times I would have liked to see her smack Grant upside the head, but overall I think she handled him quite well.

Grant....::sigh:: Grant is a dark and broody and moody type. He doesn't trust or love easily, but the few that he does, he will do anything to protect and care for. Occasionally this leads to him being overbearing and bossy, but you know that he's that way because he cares. Delia was great for Grant. She challenged his preconceived notions and his world view and she made him laugh. The two of them together were really great and watching Grant when he went weak for Delia? Yeah, that was very satisfying. It's always fun to watch a big, strong guy fall and fall hard.

Final Grade: B+

Author's Blog

Review: Kiss of Darkness by Loribelle Hunt

Genre: Paranormal Romance
Pub Date: Jan 2011
I received a copy for review from Netgalley

Winter, a hybrid, has spent her life at war. A group of humans who are part demon, the hybrids, along with the lupines and nightwalkers, have dedicated their lives to defeating demons and protecting humanity. Yet, despite their united cause, the three groups share an uneasy alliance.

When hybrid military compounds come under attack from demon insurgents, Winter has no choice but to turn to the lupines and nightwalkers for assistance. It's a partnership based on necessity and she has no intention of letting down her guard with either group.

Marcus, the nightwalker Lord, has other plans. The immediate attraction between him and Winter promises a passion he can't ignore. To claim her as his own, he'll not only have to fight the demons who seem hell-bent on destroying her, but her own misconceptions about him and the nightwalker race. It's a battle he refuses to lose.

Kiss of Darkness is a fun paranormal romance full of hot alpha guys (that aren't afraid to take orders from women), action, sex, lust, and some very kickass women that know how to get the job done.

Winter is a warrior and a leader and she's running out of time. Soon the demon that shares her soul will take over completely and there will be nothing left of the woman she once was. Winter agreed to share the soul of a demon and become a Hybrid in order to fight full fledged demons, protecting the innocents and also avenging the murder of her husband. Now, 60 years later, she meets a mysterious and powerful man that makes her yearn for things she fears she shouldn't and she's not even sure she can trust him or his people.

Marcus is a sexy alpha hero. He wants to protect Winter and lock her up somewhere safe, but what made me love Marcus is that he realizes that he can't do that to her. She's a warrior and a Hybrid, not what he would have chosen for himself, but now that he has her, he knows that loving her means letting her be who she is. He also helps Winter learn to trust and to give and he stops her from constantly taking foolish risks with her life.

Kiss of Darkness is also populated with great side characters. Something that was both a blessing a curse about the book was that it seemed to actually be three love stories in one. We get Marcus and Winter, and then Winter's friend Gia with Marcus' brother Lucas as well as Winter's friend and second in command, Dupree, and the girl he wants but denies himself. The set up seems to be for Lucas and Gia to have their full story next and I have to say that I would love to read it.

Overall, a fun and sexy read with likable characters and steamy romance.

Final grade: B

Review: Pale Demon by Kim harrison

Condemned to death for black magic and shunned, Rachel Morgan has three days to somehow get to the annual witches convention in San Francisco and clear her name. If she fails, the only way she can escape death is to live in the demonic ever after . . . for ever after.

Banned from the flight lists, Rachel teams up with elven tycoon Trent Kalamack, headed for the West Coast for her own mysterious business. But Rachel isn't the only passanger along for the ride. Can a witch, an elf, a living vampire, and a pixy in one car survive for over 2,300 miles? And that's not counting the assassin on their tail.

A fearsome demon walks the sunlight, freed after centuries of torment to slay the innocent and devour souls. But his ultimate prey is Rachel Morgan. While the powerful witch with nerves of steel will do whatever it takes to stay alive, even embracing her own demonic nature may not be enough to save her.

The ninth installment in Ms. Harrison's Rachel Morgan series is a fast paced ride full of demons, elves, witches and pixies and everything in between. The first half of the book was a little irritating for me at times. Rachel and Trent bicker and make assumptions (par for the course) and Rachel and Co get into trouble at every turn. The second half of the book was much more satisfying for me. Things start really happening and we get to the meat of the story. I do have to say that I guessed Trent's big secret pretty much from the get go and didn't understand why no one else seemed to put the pieces together.

We learn more about demons and Al (who I can't help loving), and we also get to see Rachel and Trent coming to some sort of uneasy alliance. After the developments of Trent's secret and his promise to let Rachel have a part in it and the price they paid to help each other, I'm very interested to see where their relationship goes. I love the affect they have on each other, whether fighting side by side or just fighting with each other, it's never a dull moment.

Ivy and Jenks are fabulous as usual, although I can't help but feel that the whole Jenks gets a restart at life storyline is a bit of a prop and not very fair to him and is more about Rachel and her selfish need for him to be in her life. We see a bit of him trying to deal with living without his wife and learning to enjoy life all over again.

On one hand, we're told that the issues between Ivy and Rachel have finally been worked out, but then a few pages later, it looks like we're heading back into the same twisted territory. I really hope that in the next book we see that they really have come to a better understanding of each other and how to be in each other's lives.

The story progresses quickly and the action comes fast and furious. I enjoyed Rachel a bit more in this one. I think and hope that she's starting to grow up and come into her own and it's a nice change to see.

Final grade: B

Author's Website

Pale Demon at book depository

Review: Reign of Pleasure by Emma Petersen

Deposed queen Rhiannon’s sexual proclivities have finally gotten her into trouble. After Rhiannon took a pleasure slave who didn’t belong to her, the courtesan’s master is asking the ultimate price for the trespass—not Rhiannon’s life, but her body…and complete submission for three days. Rhiannon is determined to submit only her body, but Lord Ignius Sebastian, her new master, will settle for nothing less than her soul.

2 fave quotes: "I wonder if all the warriors who tremble when your name is uttered know what a fucking coward you are" Oooh, watch out girl, you are baiting the tiger.
and:
"All I've ever wanted to be is yours." Yeah, that line and my panties come off. I'm that easy.

I am a fan of Emma Petersen. I loooooved Master of the Game. Was smitten with Seducing St. Nic and now I find myself quite taken with her latest, Reign of Pleasure.

Rhiannon is a deposed immortal queen. She has refused to remarry after the death of her beloved husband and king two centuries ago and the Council will not reinstate her to full Queen privileges until she remarries and produces an heir. Rhiannon is willful and stubborn, clinging to the memory of her husband like a talisman against the demands of her Council and the maneuvering of her suitors. It took me a little while to warm up to Rhiannon. I admired her loyalty to her husband's memory, but even she admits that she's a bit of a spoiled brat. She does come into her own as a woman and into her own skin as the story progresses and it was nice to see.

Ignius Sebastian.....::sigh:: Emma Petersen writes some very drool worthy heroes in her stories and Ignius did not disappoint. He's dark, dangerous, mysterious and feared by his peers. He was dominate and masterful and yet capable of such emotion and tenderness. He's very fierce and not to be crossed, but at the same time you know that Rhiannon is his one weakness. Any man that bides his time for 200 years so he can pounce is hotness in my book. You gotta love a patient man ::wink wink::

The plot was decent. The story is novella length so naturally there is more time spent exploring the relationship and smexy times of Rhiannon and Ignius. And yeah, those are some good smexy times, too. ::cough:: I did really like a few of the side characters in the short time we got to see them. Just a good, sexy read with mild BDSM. And some girl on girl...but mostly, Ignius bringin the goods, if you know what I mean ;)

Final Grade: B

Reign of Pleasure at Ellora's Cave

Author's Website

Spaz reviews Reign of Pleasure at Wicked Lil Pixie's 4.5/5

Quickie Review: Magic to the Bone by Devon Monk

# Pub. Date: November 2008
# Publisher: Penguin Group (USA) Incorporated
# Format: Mass Market Paperback, 368pp

Using magic means it uses you back, and every spell exacts a price from its user. But some people get out of it by Offloading the cost of magic onto an innocent. Then it's Allison Beckstrom's job to identify the spell-caster. Allie would rather live a hand-to-mouth existence than accept the family fortune—and the strings that come with it. But when she finds a boy dying from a magical Offload that has her father's signature all over it, Allie is thrown back into his world of black magic. And the forces she calls on in her quest for the truth will make her capable of things that some will do anything to control...

I have a confession to make....I don't seem to like stories where the author tells us what's going on from the get go, even subtly, so that the only people who don't know what's happening are the main characters. It's frustrating for me as a reader to watch the protag fumble around in the dark while I'm trying not to yell, "Behind you, stupid! THE MONSTER IS BEHIND YOU!!!" I mean, not like I would ever yell at a book or anything. ::nervous chuckle:: Anyhoo, it tends to make me start thinking less of the MC when in actuality, maybe he/she/they aren't really stupid, they just haven't had it laid out like a Sesame Street lesson as the reader maybe has, but it still frustrates me....can you tell?
This was an issue that I had with this story. It's basically a good story filled with action, sex and a bit of mystery, but I felt like Allie, our protag, was made to be a bit dense for the story to work and that made it frustrating in some parts. I did like the fact that there's a price for using magic and Allie pays pretty dearly at certain points. I also liked her best friend Nola, but I was on the fence about her love interest, Zayvion. Oh, he was hot and calm and possibly even her soul mate, but the constant dancing around each other and uncertainty of their relationship got old in some parts. I kinda wanted to yell, pick a lane sister! Or at least have an honest conversation between the two of you BEFORE you jump into bed.....again. But that's just me.
Overall, I liked the story enough to want to read the next in the series, and hope that the series gets stronger as it evolves.

My final grade: B-

Review: Dead, Undead or Somewhere In Between by J.A. Saare

No one knows better than Rhiannon Murphy that one bad corpse can ruin your whole day. She left behind the flash and sass of Miami for the no-nonsense groove of New York City, eager for a clean slate and a fresh start. A bartender by trade, a loud mouth by choice, and a necromancer by chance; she managed to keep her nifty talent hidden from those around her-until now. The deliciously good-looking vampire, Disco, knows her secret. When he strolls into her bar to solicit help investigating the mysterious disappearances of his kind from the city, Rhiannon discovers he's not the kind of person that appreciates the significance of the word no. But in a world where vampires peddle their blood as the latest and greatest drug of choice, it's only a matter of time before the next big thing hits the market. Someone or something is killing vampires to steal their hearts, and unlike Rhiannon, this isn't their first stroll around the undead block.

Note: I received a copy from the author for review.

Dead, Undead or Somewhere in Between is a fast paced fun read that has one hell of a twist at the end. I really enjoyed the story and there were plenty of interesting characters to spice up the world.

Rhiannon is tough. She talks big and can back it up. Occasionally her narration sounded like she was trying a bit too hard, but for the most part I found her very likable. She's tough but she's also damaged goods and her scars run deep, bringing a touch of vulnerability that made her likable and relatable.

Disco is a great foil for Rhiannon. He's patient, calm and tender and he's powerful enough to give her a sense of security. The two of them play off each other well and make for a believable relationship. Whether arguing or kissing, they're fun to watch.

There were plenty of side characters that were well written and added great dimension to the story. The pace is fast and there is plenty of action. And I will just warn you that you won't see the ending coming and that's a nice change of pace for me.

My final grade: B+

I recommend this read to people that like gritty UF laced with romance and a bit of mystery.

You can check out the author's website here.

Quickie Review: Dust by Joan Frances Turner and a giveaway!

Nine years ago, Jessie had a family. Now, she has a gang.

Nine years ago, Jessie was a vegetarian. Now, she eats very fresh meat.

Nine years ago, Jessie was in a car crash and died. Nine years ago, Jessie was human.

Now, she’s not.

After she was buried, Jessie awoke and tore through the earth to arise, reborn, as a zombie. Jessie’s gang is the Fly-by-Nights. She loves the ancient, skeletal Florian and his memories of time gone by. She’s in love with Joe, a maggot-infested corpse. They fight, hunt, dance together as one—something humans can never understand. There are dark places humans have learned to avoid, lest they run into the zombie gangs.

But now, Jessie and the Fly-by-Nights have seen new creatures in the woods—things not human and not zombie. A strange new illness has flamed up out of nowhere, causing the undeads to become more alive and the living to exist on the brink of death. As bits and pieces of the truth fall around Jessie, like the flesh off her bones, she’ll have to choose between looking away or staring down the madness—and hanging onto everything she has come to know as life…

Note: I received a copy from the publisher.

Dust is definitely different in that we get to see the world through the eyes of Jessie who is a zombie. Jessie is for the most part a good narrator, but there were times when she read a little too teenage for me. Yes she died as a teen, but it's been 9 years now and at times she sounded like she hadn't matured at all. There are some interesting twists and turns in the story and some interesting side characters you meet along the way. For the most part the story is engaging and enjoyable if you're a fan of zombie and horror stories. One word of warning: This book is not for the faint of heart. Getting every gruesome detail of life as a zombie is at times a bit unsettling, but fascinating all the same.

My final grade for Dust is a B-.

Now, on to the fun stuff!

The publisher has graciously offered to give away a copy of Dust to five lucky winners! All you have to do to enter is leave a comment on this post. You must be a resident of the continental United States and the contest runs until next Tuesday the 14th at 11:59 PM PST.

Good luck!

Review: Queen of Shadows by Dianne Sylvan

Overwhelmed by her uncanny ability to manipulate people's emotions through her music, Miranda Grey comes to the attention of vampire lord David Solomon. Believing he can help bring her magic under control, David discovers that Miranda's powers may affect the vampire world too...

Note: I received a copy of this book for review from the publisher.

I had a hard time categorizing this book in my head. It was a little too romancey to be hard core UF, but it wasn't quite romancey enough to read as paranormal romance. Mostly, it read as one woman's journey from near insanity into a kick ass woman in control of herself and her destiny.

I liked that this book didn't shy away from dark and gritty subject matter. So many times I feel like books wuss out at the last minute and that was so not the case with Queen of Shadows. It did read a little long since it mostly focused on Miranda and her journey to self empowerment, but overall it was enjoyable. Miranda and David are great characters that were believable and relatable. The secondary characters were interesting and full of flavor. Sophie and Faith were both pretty kick ass, in my humble opinion. There is definitely a theme of strong women empowering themselves and other women in this book that I really enjoyed.

The ending was pretty much awesome and made up for a lot of the lagging bits. There's a lot of violence and dark subject matter in this book, but it all made sense and therefore added to the story.

I recommend this book to fans of dark but romantic urban fantasy.

Final Grade: B

Review: The Sleeping Beauty by Mercedes Lackey

With signs and traditions pointing to an all-out war set to break out among the kingdoms, Rosamund, the king's daughter, is "playing dead" as two princes show up at the palace intent on waking her with a kiss. But, as the two of them start to fight it out, Rosa's godmother cuts them all short and takes charge. Now, with two princes competing for the hand of Sleeping Beauty-one of them, the one with roving hands (Prince Leopold) probably "should" be her prince, while the other (Prince Siegfried) doesn't seem to belong here at all-more complications occur. The king dies and the neighbors start looking at Rosa's kingdom. But with the palace filling with young and old princes intent on winning Rosamund's love, invading the kingdom and putting those young men in peril would mean incurring the wrath of thirty other countries!

Mercedes Lackey's The Sleeping Beauty is a lovely and fun fantasy romance. In some ways it's a very old school fantasy romance, but yet it felt more modern and fresh. I really enjoyed it. It almost reminded of Shrek (but without the crudeness) or Hoodwinked in a way because all the characters knew they lived in a fairy tale land and a force known as The Tradition is trying to force them down different paths to make a proper fairy tale happen. Unfortunately, The Tradition is not smart so it senses that you have all the ingredients for heroic dragon killing scene, except maybe the dragon's not actually bad and maybe the village didn't need to be destroyed so the hero could slay the dragon. So our characters are valiantly trying to outmaneuver The Tradtion and stay one step ahead of "destiny" before their lives and the whole kingdom goes to hell in a handbasket.

The whole cast of this book really was wonderful. The villains were properly villainous and the heroes were very heroic, but they also had a sense of humor and wisdom and their own back stories. The Godmother, Lily, was probably my favorite character. She is so not your typical Godmother. She's definitely good, but she'll do what it takes to get the job done. Oh, and she's hot. No grandmotherly looking Godmother for the Kingdom of Eltaria.

Rose, our heroine is a great character. She's smart, capable, has a good sense of humor and is by turns tough and vulnerable. She made a very likable heroine.

I won't say which suitor wins her hand, but I was very happy with the outcome.

The title of the book is a little misleading. This really isn't a retelling of the Sleeping Beauty story. It's a veritable mash up of fairy tales from Snow White to Cinderella to just about any fairy tale you can think of. There are dragons, dwarves, fae, unicorns, firebirds, heroes, princes and magic all over the place. The story was smart and fun and I kept wondering how it all would end.

I give The Sleeping Beauty a definite B+.