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Unleashing the Storm Author: Sydney Croft (Larissa Ione & Stephanie Tyler) Release Date: Available Now Publisher: Bantam Dell ACRO Book #2 ISBN: #0-385-34081-8 From the author’s website: Feel the heat. Hear the roar. The fever has begun. There’s a storm rising. Electricity crackles in the air. For Kira Donovan, it’s that time of year again: when the need floods her flesh, when almost any man—the bigger and the stronger the better—will do. For Kira, an animal psychic, the heat is a matter of life and death, and this year it has come at just the right time. Tom Knight, a natural born predator, has arrived at her isolated Idaho farm—for reasons all his own… At first Kira isn’t interested in Knight’s motives. She only needs him—his body, his hands, his scent. But soon, through a daze of desire and distrust, Kira discovers Knight’s world—the world of a covert operative, one man among dozens of secret agents waging an astonishing global war. Knight’s mission is to bring Kira–kicking and screaming if necessary–into the Agency for Covert Rare Operatives and harness her extraordinary gift. He never expected the powerful emotions she would ignite in him, or the fierce desire to keep her safe from harm. For as darkness gathers around them, Kira is feeling the heat once again, leading them both on a wild ride of delicious thrills…and terror beyond imagining. What I’m talking about: I wasn’t sure what to expect in the second ACRO book-the first was so exciting, and I always worry about sophomore books. Thankfully, Unleashing the Storm did not disappoint! We briefly met Tommy “Ender” Knight in the first ACRO book, Riding the Storm. He was set up as the grumpy loaner, ex-military dude. And he remains that way into and throughout this book. He is attracted to Kira, may have some feelings for her as he gets to know her, but his personality does not take a 180-turn when he meets her. I like this. Kira has some sort of tie to animals and occasionally exhibits similar behavioral patterns, including an annual “mating heat.” I’m not talking about the need for sex, I’m talking about the need for “seed.” We learn that she always has more than one male to service her and meet the demands of her high-frequency mating needs. Unfortunately for her, her...
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Riding the Storm Authors: Sydney Croft (aka Larissa Ione & Stephanie Tyler) Release Date: available now Publisher: Bantam Dell ACRO Series Book 1 ISBN: 0-385-34080-X Genre: Paranormal Erotica From the authors’ website: A storm’s rage. A woman’s desire. A man with the power to set them both free. He can summon lightning at will. Emerge unscathed from the center of a tornado. Strip a woman down to her barest defenses through the sheer force of his sexuality. He’s gorgeous, dangerous, and the target of parameteorologist Haley Holmes’s latest mission. Haley has been dispatched to the Louisiana bayou to investigate the phenomenon known as Remy Begnaud – man with a gift he never wanted: the ability to control a storm’s fury. But even a woman trained in bizarre weather phenomenon has no defense against the electrifying power of the Ex-Navy SEAL…a power his enemies would kill to control. With her agency monitoring their every move, Haley’s job is to seduce Remy, gain his trust — and help him harness his extraordinary gift. But who will protect her from this voracious lover who’s introducing her to a new world of erotic thrills – a man who grows increasingly insatiable with each new weather event? Haley knows a big storm is approaching –and with it will come unexpected delights. But, so, too, will the storm unleash her greatest fears: An enemy bent on destroying Remy. And her worst fear of all…falling in love with this magnificent man, then having to betray him… What I’m talking about: This book had me from the opening chapter. The chemistry between Remy and Haley sizzles like the lighting that strikes whenever they are in contact with one another. It was an enjoyable, sexy read. Great for the upcoming summer months! Remy is full of anger and frustration at the “curse” he received from Mother Nature. To top it all off, he becomes sexually aroused when the storm rage near, which adds a wonderful, erotic nature to this story. Remy thinks he’s headed home after many years away to help his dad, but finds Haley in his dad’s home instead of his father. With a storm in full swing, Remy is forced to leave Haley or take her without control of his desires. This leads Remy to head out into a dangerous storm and Haley is compelled to follow. The results are a pleasurable read. *evil grin* The storms definitely add an exciting passion and...
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Just one week until the newest Lora Leigh release from her Breeds series: Lion’s Heat Release Date: April 6, 2010 ISBN: 0425233804 Publisher: Berkley On the author’s website: Bad boy Jonas Wyatt knows it is fate that Rachel becomes his mate. He can sense it. He can also sense her reluctance. But she has little power over the mating heat of the Breeds. It is Jonas’s destiny to claim her. And nothing will stop him from having his way. For an except please visit Ms. Leigh’s website. I’m a sucker for Lora Leigh’s Breed Series. I have an addiction. I’ll admit it. For the most part they are candy for my brain, and I keep going back for more. There is a pattern to her books, a feel of familiarity, and it works. Not to mention, the sex scenes are incredibly hot. While normally I start a series from the beginning, this is one in which I did not — I started with Megan’s Mark, and I have read each subsequent book in order. To celebrate the newest Breeds release, I want to highlight one of my favorite books from the series. Dawn’s Awakening ISBN: 0425219755 Publisher: Berkley From the author’s website: The runt of the lab she was created in, Dawn Daniels endured years of torture by her pride brother and the council soldiers. Finally freed from her torment, she’s now a Breed Enforcer, in control of her own life. Until she’s assigned to protect the one man destined to be her mate—and realizes it’s far too easy to lose total control… One of the Breed’s most important supporters, Seth Lawrence has spent years trying to forget Dawn, knowing that her lost innocence has made it impossible for her to get close to anyone. But suddenly neither of them can find the strength to fight the overwhelming passion between them. At least until the most brutal tormenter from Dawn’s past reappears—and threatens to destroy their newfound love, along with their lives… What I’m talking about: As I mentioned earlier, Ms. Leigh’s books tend to follow a pattern, but this book broke the mold. Finally we have a male that may want to protect and dominate, but he doesn’t need to use sex as a method for control. In fact, Seth has waited 10 long years with a...
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Atlantis Redeemed March, 2010 Berkley Sensation Warriors of Poseidon Book 5 ISBN: 0425233030 From the author’s website: Poseidon’s warriors have learned that the battle to protect humanity produces unexpected enemies–and alliances. But none more unexpected than the bond between a cursed Atlantean warrior and a woman whose sight surpasses any lie… A warrior with no emotion … Doomed by Poseidon millennia ago to live life bereft of feelings, Atlantean warrior Brennan’s curse is shattered when he meets Tiernan–a human with the ancient Gift of Truth Telling. Attraction turns deadly when the woman he could never forget becomes the woman he can never remember. With the fate of Atlantis on the line, will a warrior’s uncontrollable desire destroy the world? A woman with an eye for the truth… Tiernan’s job as an investigative reporter is perfectly suited to her unique ability to see through any falsehood. But when she discovers human scientists conducting hideous experiments on humans and shape-shifters alike, only a wildly sexy Atlantean can help protect her from the those determined to see her fail—and die. When the future of the world is at stake, can she overcome death itself so together they can protect mankind? What I’m talking about: Ah, a great addition to Alyssa Day’s Warriors of Poseidon Series. We’ve watched dear Brennan suffer without emotions through four books and now he gets his chance to shine. Atlantis Redeemed is a great combination of story line, action, love interest. Brennan is a strong warrior who has been unable to feel any emotions for the past 2,000 years due to a curse placed upon him by the mighty sea god, Poseidon. Brennan remained a loyal servant for Poseidon all these centuries, not really believing the curse would come to fruition. The curse states that when Brennan meets his one true soulmate that he is doomed to experience every emotion he missed feeling over the course of time since the curse was placed upon him. This makes for an interesting character. I enjoyed the examination of Brennan’s array of emotions as they flooded into his being. Ms. Day did an excellent job transitioning from calm warrior to angry soldier to lustful mate. This was especially rewarding for those who have followed Brennan throughout the series. Another aspect of the curse is that Brennan is destined to forget his true mate when she is not in his presence. This part of the story was not as strong. I was a...
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I recently picked up Sherrilyn Kenyon’s League Series, which I highlighted a few weeks ago in my blog. Today, I’m reviewing the first book in this series, Born of Night. From Ms. Kenyon’s website: Command Assassin Nykyrian Quikiades was born and trained to slaughter. Refusing to be a pawn, he turned his back on the League and has been hunted by them ever since. Though many have tried, none can kill him. Now his assignment is to protect Kiara Zamir, a woman whose father’s political alliance has made her a target. She wants nothing to do with politics, yet she is forced to submit to protection or die. And as her world becomes even deadlier, Kiara must entrust her life to the same kind of beast who once killed her mother and left her for dead. Old enemies and new threaten them both and the only way they can survive is to overcome their suspicions and learn to trust in the very ones who threaten them most– each other. What I’m talking about: In this futuristic world, life is extremely harsh and many times cruel. The book setting recalls images of great 80’s sci-fi movies: Dune, Mad Max, and Blade Runner. Our heroes are the anti-establishment, hardened outlaws that have a heart of gold underneath the rough exterior. Our hero, Nykyrian Quiakides has lived a life that was so cruel and so outrageous that we are told he trusts no one and expects that eventually even his best friend will turn him in for profit. Then there is Kiara, our priviledged, royal dancer that has a naive view of the world. Although she senses the good in Nykyrian, she is horrified by the choices he has made in his life. She cannot comprehend how someone would choose to kill and live as an outlaw assassin. He is determined not to get close to Kiara, and she is equally determined to show him that he can be loved. The story of protection, war and assassins is good. Even though it has a lot of cliche moments, I was still glued to the book and wanted to know what would happen next. Scenes where Nykyrian is shot to death in front Kiara, yet he still lives seems box-office block-buster material: predictable action and adventure. But there were enough deviations from the normal to make the book hold my attention. The writing is not as full and mature as Ms. Kenyon’s fabulous...
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I want to start out by stating for the record: I *heart* Nalini Singh and her books! She is an amazing author. Her Psy/Changling series is in my Top 3 favorites and a must read/buy set. So just over a year ago when I saw that she was releasing a new series, I figured it had to be good. I was on vacation and found the closest bookstore. When I got there and the book wasn’t on the shelf, I made them pull Angels’ Blood from the back. I was NOT disappointed! I devoured the book in a day and from that point on was hooked! Fast forward a year later and we have the second book of Ms. Singh’s Guild Hunter series, Archangel’s Kiss. This is the blub from the author’s website: Vampire hunter Elena Deveraux wakes from a year-long coma to find herself changed—an angel with wings the colors of midnight and dawn—but her fragile body needs time to heal before she can take flight. Her lover, the stunningly dangerous archangel Raphael, is used to being in control—even when it comes to the woman he considers his own. But Elena has never done well with authority… They’ve barely begun to understand each other when Raphael receives an invitation to a ball from the archangel Lijuan. To refuse would be a sign of fatal weakness, so Raphael must ready Elena for the flight to Beijing—and to the nightmare that awaits them there. Ancient and without conscience, Lijuan holds a power that lies with the dead. And she has organized the most perfect and most vicious of welcomes for Elena… What I’m talking about: The sophomore book of Ms. Singh’s Guild Hunter Series is a wonderful story. The continued examination of primary couple, Archangel Raphael and Hunter Elena, is sensual and fulfilling. It is a rare treat for a romance novel to focus on the same couple for more than one book. But it works for a couple of reasons. First: Elena and Raphael did not have a “happily ever after” of the truest sense in the first book. Yes, he saved her and did something so rare – turned her into an angel – that it only happens when an angel feels true love, but that was it… no “ever after.” Second: now that Elena is an angel, things in her world are very different, and how she relates...
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Are you looking for something sexy and fun to read? Well, let me point you in the right direction… Meet new author, Jill Myles and her wonderful males: Noah and Zane. Together, they make my ideal book boyfriend! Jill Myles is the author of a great new series, The Succubus Diaries. The first book is Gentlemen Prefer Succubi. From Jill’s website: Jackie Brighton woke up in a dumpster this morning, and her day has only gotten weirder. Her breasts grew overnight, her sex drive is insatiable, and apparently she had her first one-night stand ever . . . with a fallen angel.Of course, she only remembers gorgeous Noah’s enormous, er, package. And their steamy shower sex. Hmm . . . and the dark stranger whose bite transformed her into an immortal siren with a seductive Itch. With help from Noah and fellow succubus Remy Summore, Jackie adapts to her new lifestyle—until she accidentally strikes a deal that sends her lover into the deadly clutches of the vampire queen and lands Jackie, Remy, and the queen’s wickedly hot right-hand man into the middle of a fierce battle for an ancient halo. But how’s a girl supposed to save the world when the enemy’s so hard to resist? Her second book is Succubi Like It Hot. From Jill’s website: With a flirtatious new figure, her dream job as an archaeologist, and two gorgeous boyfriends to scratch her seductive Itch—an angel and a vampire—Jackie Brighton is totally getting the hang of life as a succubus.Then her need for sex spirals out of control, and she accidentally knocks the pizza guy unconscious with her touch. Great, she’s cursed. Unfortunately, neither of her jealous lovers is exactly talking to her right now. So after Jackie strikes a deal with a crafty demon, she and her best friend Remy take a cross-country road trip to deliver a cryptic message to the nation’s oldest succubus (who doesn’t look a day over eighteen.) Their journey gets weirder with every mile—demonic possession, a charming stalker, a deadly hotel room warning—but when they get to New Orleans, Jackie discovers a dangerous catch to her supernatural bargain. Someone wants her dead (again), but has she been sleeping with the enemy? Or do the forces of evil think they’re some kind of match for a vixen in a miniskirt? So, where to start? First… Look at Noah’s hip dents!! Who can resist a man with gorgeous hip dents? Both males are...
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Last week I blogged about the books that were ready and waiting for me to read on my Kindle. Those books are on hold while I finish my paperback To Be Read (TBR) pile. And that pile is getting smaller. I keep MY books (aka smut books) in my closet. It started last year as a half a shelf. My first 2 series were Black Dagger Brotherhood by J. R. Ward and the Psy/Changling series by Nalini Singh. Both were only a few books (5-6) and so I didn’t have to move much around to accommodate. In addition, I had a few Buffy Season 8 and Angel After the Fall comic books. Fast forward a year later and I’ve collected more books and comics. Here are some examples of my closet now: Notice the empty bottle of Grey Goose for my man Vishous there! So, in all that mess of books (not all are shown), what do I still have left to read? Answer: NOT MUCH… First up: As I have blogged about previously, I am currently reading the Guardians Series by Meljean Brook (http://meljeanbrook.com/). The series has 5 full-length novels and 4 novellas in different anthologies. I own all of the books. I am currently reading the 7th story: Demon Bound. It is an amazing series and I hope to write more on it at a later date. Next up: Sherrilyn Kenyon’s re-released “The League” series. (http://www.sherrilynkenyon.com/). Currently it’s a 3-book series. I own all three and am looking forward to reading them. From Ms. Kenyon’s website: Hell’s New Heroes In the Ichidian Universe no one was safe. People were dragged from their homes and killed in the streets- victims of a ruthless tyrant who was bent on being the sole ruler of their entire empire. Those who opposed him and his army formed an alliance called The League which fell under the leadership of the Quorum. The Quorum realized that the best way to keep trouble from starting was to cut it off at its knees. So a separate group of soldiers was needed, The League Assassins. Highly trained and highly valued, they are the backbone of the government. But not even the League is immune to corruption… Welcome to a world where corrupt assassination politics dominate everything and everyone- because sometimes the cure really is worse than the illness. It’s kill or be killed. You’re either the hunter or the prey. But there are those who...
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So right now I am reading Meljean Brook’s Guardian series. I am currently reading the 3rd book: Demon Night. From Meljean’s website: Charlie Newcomb worked hard to get her life back together. But all that is shaken when she’s set upon by three vampires desperate to transform her beauty into something evil. Because Charlie is the vital link to something they want—and need. It’s Charlie’s flesh and blood sister, a medical scientist whose knowledge could be invaluable to the predators. But to get to her, they must first get to Charlie, now under the intimate protection of Ethan McCabe. As her Guardian, Ethan is attracted to her vulnerabilities—as well as her strengths. The closer he gets, the more protecting her becomes not just his duty, but his desire. But will it be enough to save Charlie when the demon night falls? I just finished the second book in the series: Demon Moon. After a slow start in the first book (and two novellas), the series rapidly picked up with the second book. Now I said I wouldn’t write reviews, but I am going to tell you what I thought of the book! What I’m Talking About: Some books are good and make me feel happy (Twilight), some are well written and cause me to feel strong emotions (Time Traveler’s Wife) and some are just so good – they are classics I’ll read over and over (Dune). And many are so fun to read and down-right sexy (Nalini Singh, Gena Showalter, Larissa Ione… I love paranormal romance). For me, this book is all of those in one. I was just blown away. Colin and Savi are truly a match made in heaven (or Caelum). Meljean has developed two wonderful characters, which individually did nothing for me, but together stirred every emotion within me. I cried tears of sorrow and joy while reading this book. The precise manner in which she detailed their thoughts, feelings and encounters is amazing. And I loved that she didn’t put unnecessary conflict in front of Colin and Savi – no “misunderstandings” to keep them apart. They had to work their way through tough situations and emotions, and it was well worth it! Although the storyline is second fiddle to the love story (for me), it was also well constructed and planned. I never felt that Meljean wrote in dialogue or actions that did not hold purpose or give life to the story. It is a...
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