ARC Review: Deadly Dance by Dee Davis

DEADLY DANCE by Dee Davis
FORMAT: ARC
GENRE: Romantic Suspense
LENGTH: 400 pages
PUBLISHER: Forever (April 1,2012)

As the intelligence specialist for A-Tac, a black-ops CIA unit masquerading as Ivy League faculty, Hannah Marshall is used to working behind the scenes. But when a brutal murder hits too close to home, Hannah finds herself in the middle of the action, falling in love while racing to outwit a sadistic mastermind.

A KILLER CLOSES IN
After the death of her A-Tac partner, Hannah doubts everything she thought she knew about love and loyalty. When handsome Harrison Blake joins the team, she’s reluctant to trust him—or to act on her intense attraction to him. Then Hannah receives a podcast of a gruesome murder, and the only person who can help her find the killer is Harrison.

Harrison has spent years trying to hunt down the cunning monster who killed his sister. Now investigating with Hannah, he faces a shocking possibility—his sister’s murderer has resurfaced. As the danger escalates, Hannah and Harrison grow closer, and the desire simmering between them ignites. After Hannah disappears, Harrison has only one chance to save the woman he loves.

Connect with Dee: Author Site | Twitter | Facebook
Pre-Order: Amazon(pb) | Kindle | B&N(pb) | Nook | Book Depository
Book Extras: Read an Excerpt

I loved it.

Other Books in Series(click on covers for excerpts):


REVIEW:
This book is not for the feint of heart. It's a large dose of Criminal Minds where there's a profiler, gruesome murder scenes and some serious jailable for life psycho killer that could be ripped from the headlines. There's so much I want to say about this book but don't want to give away any spoilers so let's see what I can do.

It goes like this:
Hannah Marshall lost her partner Jason and still misses him. Harrison Blake, resident Techie is still trying to fit into the overall scheme of things at A-Tac. With the resurfacing of a crazed serial killer who gets off on slowly bleeding out and torturing his victims, Hannah and Harrison must try to catch the killer before the people closest to them end up mock-crucified and bleeding to death. Gruesome right?

Harrison realizes that this psycho might be the same guy who killed his twin sister years ago and so the recent string of murders hits close to home. Only problem is, the killer is deviating from the behavior and tactics of the original cyber killer.

Hannah's TA receives video of a female student getting tortured by an unidentified man and is kept under lock down to keep her safe. How many female students have to die before A-Tac catches the killer? Bringing in some of Harrison's trusted members of his old organization, they partner up to profile and canvas the scenes looking for any clues to point out whether it's the original cyber killer back doing what he does best or a copycat following a script only to change tactics when specific results are not reached.

All the while, Hannah and Harrison are getting closer and trying to remain friends. Everyone knows that there's something there between them even if they both deny it. Friends with benefits? *scoff* Not gonna work guys. Seriously!

Will the cover of A-Tac as professors at Sunderland College be blown thanks to the crazy killer or is the killer part of something larger that A-Tac and the FBI haven't thought of? *dun dun dunnn*

FAVORITE QUOTE:

The leaves rustled in the wind, and she shivered, the vibration running through them like an electric current. She pressed closer, feeling his arousal hard against her thigh. There was power in knowing that the seduction was mutual, her strength matching his.

OVERALL: Dee Davis knows how to tug at my heart, get my adrenaline pumping and make me want to break out the DVDs of all crime show dramas, especially Criminal Minds. Like the rest of the A-Tac series, it's heart pounding, plot twisting, "omg I did not see that coming so I should have my Nancy Drew sleuth card revoked" wrapped in "I will never look at my professors the same way ever again". Harrison and Hannah have been through a lot and with a crazy killer on the loose, it adds to their ghosts. I kept rooting for them to be together and find a way to capture the killer as well as help each other heal. I'm looking forward to what happens next.

***review copy provided by publisher***

Review: Brave Are The Lonely by Heather Long

BRAVE ARE THE LONELY by Heather Long
FORMAT: PDF
GENRE: Historical Paranormal
LENGTH: 78,299 words
PUBLISHER: Heather Long (March 6,2012)

When the spirit fever struck a town, a village or an outpost, it left few if any survivors. The white man blamed the Indian saying they used their mojo on them. The Indians blamed the white man for angering the spirits. The survivors knew it didn’t matter. The Fevered were forever changed.


When death seemed preferable…
Mourning his mate drove fevered wolf shifter Cody out of Texas, but a brother’s need drags him back from the brink.

…and good deeds never go unpunished…
Gypsy princess Mariska only wants to protect her people and her freedom, but a dangerous choice puts her on a collision course with an angry wolf.

…the best thing that could happen to him…
When Cody touches Mariska, his wolf cannot escape the hunger that fills him. For Mariska, Cody’s touch brings her a pleasure she never imagined, but is it enough to heal his fractured soul?

…was the last thing he expected.
As danger stalks all three of them, they must confront who they are or risk losing Cody forever.

His wolf. His woman. His way.

Find Heather: Author Site | Twitter | Facebook | Blog
Where To Buy: Kindle | Nook | All Romance
Book Extras: Read an Excerpt

I loved it

Other Books in Series:

click for excerpt

REVIEW:

Previously... In Marshal of Hel Dorado, the lovely spitfire Scarlett Morning Star fell in love with studly marshal Sam Kane. Cody Morning Star, her brother from another mother fell in love with her. At least his wolf side did. The Wolf wanted to mate with her, make her his. Unfortunately for The Wolf, Sam made an honest woman out of Scarlett. Now, Cody and The Wolf are chasing after Kid (Sam's baby brother) to keep him safe while The Wolf is mourning the loss of not being with Scarlett.

Now... Poor Cody, his wolf can't let go of the fact Scarlett gave herself to another man. Running on all fours until an almost run-in with the bad guys at a saloon/brothel because of Kid's Great Wandering Peen, Cody finally shifts back to his human form. The whole time he was in wolf form, Kid was able to understand his emotions and his thoughts. Cody knows that somehow Kid may be "one of them" with his talent to read and experience people's emotions.

The journey that keeps going... Kid doesn't know where he's going but he's got to get away from his family. Heading west is the only course he's got in mind. Through the plains, up the mountain, across streams...

A Gypsy princess... Mariska is a Traveler. Her father brought the whole clan over from their home country. Only a man who proves his strength and courage will win the heart of the gypsy princess. Only problem: her father wants her to marry the first man who offers for her. Since she wants to go by the tradition of her mother, she will wait until she finds a man worthy.

An attack on the Traveler camp... sets things in motion. Indians attack the Traveler's camp site killing them but Cody and Kid ride in and save the day. I especially like this scene because of Cody's dry sense of humor. Kid asks if they should say some prayers or something after burying the Indians. Cody's response? "A good day to die." *giggle*

A few good men... Mariska's father invites Cody and Kid to partake in a celebration in their honor. They saved the Traveler's and Mariska from either getting killed or forced upon by the Indians. Cody doesn't want to impose but Kid wants to do right by these people.

Lady in red... Mariska's father demanded she wear a red dress in honor of the tale of The Red who went out to save her people from The Big Bad Wolf (Red Riding Hood anyone?) by offering herself as a sacrifice.

Complications... Cody's outright dismissal of Mariska after her father offers her as a gift for saving them makes her a bit pissy. Who the heck was this stranger coming in and saving them but refuses her? Her self worth takes a hit. Retaliation? Drugging their food. Complication? The herbs she put in their food combined with herbs put in Kid's special Sexy Time Pie don't mix well and he could die. Her idiocy cost her to be lashed to her wagon and left for dead by her clan. The other complication: a dark wolf with vengeance and retribution on its mind. Cody and Kid must keep this evil away from Mariska.

Sexytime... In a wagon, on the ground, in a brothel, with lonely housewives, in a cave. I think you get the point. This book is full of The Sexytimes so if you're squeamish or have a limit as to how many times you can stand it, this might not be for you.


FAVORITE QUOTE:

Wool gathering over a man who made it clear he wasn't interested. His too beautiful blue eyes danced with amusement at her fury. He'd denied interest and her pride stung deep under the whip of his dismissal. Mariska never undervalued her own worth, she was a princess, she could ride, she could shoot, she could hunt, mend, cook, drive her own wagon and care for her people. She was a woman of high value and worth, not some chit that he could shake off with just a wave of his hand.

OVERALL: Bromance to the next level. Not really. I liked the relationship between Kid and Cody. A camaraderie of sorts and they definitely were good for each other. Cody kept Kid safe while Kid helped Cody mend his two warring halves (human vs. wolf) with the help of the lovely Mariska. I also like that Mariska stood her ground. She was not going to be submissive unless it was in the arms of Cody during Sexy Time.  It's a pulse pounding, thigh clenching, heartstopping, fire racing through your veins, omg they did what now? kind of read. Fans of historical paranormals, get ready to put Heather Long's Fevered Hearts series on your must read list. Seriously.


***provided by author's PA***

eARC Review: Kiss Me, I'm Irish by Roxanne St. Claire, Jill Shalvis + Maureen Child

KISS ME, I'M IRISH by Roxanne St. Claire, Jill Shalvis & Maureen Child
FORMAT: eBook via Netgalley
GENRE: Contemporary
LENGTH: 384 pages
PUBLISHER: Harlequin (February 21,2012)

The Sins of His Past by Roxanne St. Claire
For one incredible night, Kendra Locke gave Deuce Monroe everything she had. Then he walked away without a backward glance to chase his big-league dreams. Now after one too many daredevil stunts, he's back in his hometown ready to pick up where they left off—but Kendra has no intention of giving in so easily….

Tangling with Ty by Jill Shalvis
Dr. Nicole Mann, a child prodigy who graduated high school at the age of thirteen, has no room in her mind or her schedule for romance. But when the architect renovating her apartment turns out to have a charming Irish accent, all bets are off—and Ty Patrick O'Grady plans to use every trick in his book to stay in her life for good.

Whatever Reilly Wants by Maureen Child
Connor Reilly only has a few weeks to go in his "no sex for ninety days" bet with his brothers—and he figures no woman is safer to be around than his best friend, Emma Jacobsen. Until Emma shows up at a bar in a short skirt and high heels, and suddenly seems anything but safe!

Find Roxanne: Author Site | Twitter | Facebook | Blog
Find Jill: Author Site | Twitter | Facebook | Blog
Find Maureen: Author Site | Twitter | Facebook | Blog
Where To Buy: Amazon(pb) | Kindle | B&N(pb) | Nook | Book Depository
Book Extras: Read an Excerpt of The Sins of His Past

I love it.

REVIEW:

The Sins of His Past by Roxanne St. Claire ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥
That Deuce Monroe is something else. He's returned home due to being stupid and racing a car just to end up wrecking it. Now he's back and wonders what in the heck happened to Monroe's, the bar that has been passed on from father to son. Why is Monroe's spelled with a lowercase m and who put all these computers in it and why is the smell of coffee drifting from it's open doors? Oh Deuce, you've been gone far too long.

Kendra Locke has held a torch for Deuce since she was a little girl, listening through the heater duct for all her brother's conversations with friends. One night was all it took to change Kendra's life forever and a secret that only those closest to her know. She's put Deuce out of her mind but from the minute he walks through the front doors of monroe's, her heart begins to open again; old feelings resurface. Damn you Deuce Monroe!

Everything has changed for the better. The small seaside town of Rockingham, Massachusetts has become a destination place and the economy is picking up again. Kendra must at all costs keep her secret from Deuce all the while trying to fall back in love with him. Not that she ever stopped. Now, Deuce must not only fight for changing monroe's back into Monroe's but also try to keep himself from having a reason to stay in a town that he no longer knows.

Favorite Quote:

"...Do you have everything you need?"
No. She needed blinders to keep from staring at him, and a box of tissue to wipe the drool. Throw in some steel armor for her heart and fail-safe chastity belt, and then she'd be good to go.

Overall: Roxanne St. Claire, I need to read more of you. For real. The moment Deuce was introduced, I fell in love with him. He was the bad boy with the cocky attitude who got your heart pounding but your head asking you where the heck your sanity went because he was bound to be a total jerk. Deuce hit it and quit it. Just like that. He didn't even think about the consequences. Kendra had a right to be all sorts of angry and then some. Plus, if a guy ever came waltzing back into your life with the notion that things are going to be the same the way he left it should be made to beg on his knees.

Tangling with Ty by Jill Shalvis ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥
An Irishman who has tried to distance himself from his horrible beginnings gets the surprise of his life in 1)a long lost half sister and 2)a workaholic doctor who has no time for a man in her life and lives by the mantra of "stay single". Ty Patrick O'Grady has been a drifter throughout his life. After getting taken in by a man he tried to steal from and getting an education, he's moved from place to place; wanderlust in his veins. He's been tapped to renovate the building that Dr. Nicole Mann lives in.

Nicole is a child prodigy. Straight A student, graduating early, not really a people person, annoyed by her mother and her perfect sister with the nice house, white picket fence, doting husband and 2.5 children. Ty sends everything she's ever thought about staying single right down the drain. He's funny, sexy as hell and has a sometimes accent. After Ty falls through her ceiling ogling her while she's rocking out in her mismatched underwear, she takes to nursing him. The fall brought out a caring side of her that goes beyond doctor/patient feelings. She forgets what's she's supposed to do and her friends have to help her. Um, she's a doctor for goodness sake!

As Nicole nurses Ty back to health, she realizes that there's more to this sometimes accented Irish man. She must decide whether she'll go the way of her friend Suzanne and allow herself to fall in love or follow in the footsteps of her sister in singlehood, Taylor. Meanwhile, Ty is getting mysterious emails from someone claiming to be his long lost half sister. He wants to deny that she might be it but knows that it's a possibility due to his mother's sexual promiscuity.

Favorite Quote:

She'd slept on her feet before, during med school, during the long nights of residency...
A sharp click had her blinking rapidly blinking at her...door? Ty Patrick O'Grady, architect, sometimes owner of a sexy Irish lilt, man of a thousand curses and one incredible smile, held up a credit card. "Handy, these things, aren't they now?"
"You...broke in?"
"Easily."
"Are you a criminal?"
He laughed, low and sexily, damn him. "Let's just say I've been around. You need a better lock."

Overall: I think I fell in lust with Ty the moment he popped Nicole's door open with a credit card. That's a very handy skill to have. Not that I'm confessing to have knowledge of said skill. He's rough around the edges and only the right woman could make him stay. Nicole staying single didn't seem doable to me. Sure, she pretty much lived by the whole "singlehood is good" thing but puh-lease. The moment a man with an accent takes interest in you (albeit, the accent may fluctuate), get him any way you can. Being single doesn't mean you can't have sex with someone. Being single isn't taking a vow of celibacy. Oh Nicole, you poor girl. You've been looking at singlehood the wrong way.

Whatever Reilly Wants by Maureen Child ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥
Emma Jacobsen and Connor Reilly have been BFFs for a while and so they can shoot the breeze anytime they feel like it. No sexual tension whatsoever. Emma is one of the guys and Connor shares everything with her.

A bet between the brothers Reilly already has one brother out of the running of winning a nice sum of money bequeathed by a deceased uncle. Last man standing takes all. One catch: last man standing has to be celibate for three months. Do you know how long that is in guy time? Ages and ages and ages! Brian has gotten back with his ex-wife so that takes him out. Liam has taken vows to the church so he'll probably win considering that he'll be celibate the rest of his life. Aidan and Connor still have a chance at that money, only 2 more months.

Emma's father left her Jake's Garage. She works there fixing cars and trying to convince a little old lady to sell her son's (who's been dead for quite some time) '58 Corvette so she can restore it to its former glory. She still has yet to convince her. Emma was hurt by a jerk named Tony who got to know her (cute feminine clothes wearing Emma) and realized that he didn't much like her the way she was (coveralls, car fixing Emma). She vowed to never again let any man in.

All it takes is Connor telling Emma that he doesn't see her as a woman but a mechanic to make her go ballistic. She'll show him. Dressed up to the nines in Short Skirt and Tiny Tank Topville, Emma sets out to make Connor lose the bet by getting him in bed. Warnings from Liam and her friend Mary Alice that the plan may backfire only makes her scoff at them. Bad idea Emma!

Once the line between friends (especially a guy and a girl) is crossed, there is no turning back. Nothing will be the same again. I guess Emma didn't see Friends with Benefit or No Strings Attached. It can't be done! Nuh-uh. No flipping way. For guys, sex is physical. For girls, it's emotional. You can keep telling yourself that it's only sex but your heart will tell you otherwise.

Favorite Quote:

As a Marine, he'd learned long ago to trust the impulses that drove him. He didn't question, didn't doubt. He just did. That confidence in his own subconscious had saved his butt more than once.
And tonight those instincts had brought him here.
To Emma.
"What are they telling you to do now?"
If he told her that, she'd probably run for the hills. Because it was taking all of his self-control to keep from tearing her clothes off and tossing her onto the cool, damp grass. He wanted her naked. He wanted her beneath him. Over him. Astride him. He wanted her in every possible way, and as they stood there in the starlit shadows, that want continued to pulse and grow. "You don't want to know."

Overall: Ah yes, the best friends to lovers trope. This one does it beautifully. I laughed my way through this one. Connor's antics and thoughts after seeing Emma in a short skirt, tiny tank top and heels definitely were all sorts of inappropriate. I loved that Emma had that 'I'll show him!' attitude but wanted to scream at her that she wouldn't come out unscathed by trying to get Connor into bed. I've seen this sort of thing play once or twice before my very eyes. It's not a pretty thing. Either both parties live to laugh about it after falling head over heels in love or both parties become so very bitter that no one is allowed to ever speak the other's name in front of them. Emma didn't have to change herself. She knew who she was and totally confident in herself. Connor should have thought before he spoke. Really? A mechanic instead of a woman? *shakes head*


***review copy from Netgalley***

eARC Review: Darkness Bound by Stella Cameron

DARKNESS BOUND by Stella Cameron
FORMAT: eBook via Netgalley
GENRE: Paranormal
LENGTH: 326 pages
PUBLISHER: Forever (February 28,2012)

WHEN NIGHT FALLS
After her husband's tragic death, Leigh Kelly arrives on Whidbey Island determined to start over. Yet the tiny town of Chimney Rock is not as peaceful as it seems. Women have been disappearing, and Leigh can't shake the feeling that she's being watched . . . especially at night. Soon, she's experiencing visions she can't explain and fighting her attraction to a handsome stranger who seems to know her most intimate desires.

PASSION TRANSFORMS THEM
As the leader of the Team, a pack of werehounds forced to hide their very existence, former special ops soldier Niles Latimer is desperate to prove a man's heart beats beneath his predator's body. And Leigh-the mysterious beauty possessing powers she doesn't yet understand-may be the one woman who can help him. But Niles isn't the only one who recognizes Leigh's true identity. Something evil is waiting in the woods-and the hunt has begun . . .

Find Stella: Author Site | Twitter | Facebook

Where To Buy: Amazon(pb) | Kindle | B&N(pb) | Nook | Book Depository

I loved it.

REVIEW:

I don’t know what I was expecting when I started reading Darkness Bound but what I got wasn’t it… in a good way. I’m going to admit that it through me for a loop but it was a loop that I was happy to be in.

Leigh Kelly is moving on after the death of her husband. She quits her job and moves to Chimney Rock, a place that holds special memories for her. She gets a job as the business manger of Gabriel’s bar/restaurant thinking it will be something to get her mind off the past. Niles Latimer, alpha werehound, has other plans for Leigh. He’s determined to have her as a mate and save his pack.

Now, Chimney Rock is a small town that has a lot of secrets and isn’t very safe. Women are disappearing for days then coming back missing their memory. Not to mention a turf war between the werehounds and the werewolves. I have to give Leigh credit because I would be out of there after the second night and all the

strange things that start happening around her. Good thing Niles is around… and his dog Blue (who I love and if you read you’ll know why).

There are a lot of paranormal creatures in Chimney Rock. Not only do you have the werehounds fighting their enemies the werewolves but also there are vampires involved and some Fae who have yet to pick a side. It can get confusing but the way Stella Cameron introduces them makes it’s very easy to keep track of.

FAVORITE QUOTES:

“What would you do if I threw you over my shoulder and carried you off. . . to do all kinds of things to you?”
He settled his hands at her waist, dropped to one knee, and smoothed all the way to her calves. Touching her, even through her clothes, made him tremble. “I am going to do all kinds of things to you,” he said. “Make you scream for me to make you come, again and again. That’ll be before and after I strip you naked— slowly—and lick every inch of you, then suck every inch of you.”

OVERALL:

There is a lot going on so be prepared when you start to read it. And if you do start reading then be prepared to get sucked in to this crazy world. Darkness Bound has a more Urban Fantasy feel then just a normal paranormal romance and I look forward to seeing how this world unravels. Seth, Niles right hand guy, is probably my favorite character and he’s book is next which I’m excited about. Plus I want to see what the deal is with Gabriel. There is something mysterious there.

***review copy from Netgalley***

Review: Last Chance Beauty Queen by Hope Ramsay

LAST CHANCE BEAUTY QUEEN by Hope Ramsay
FORMAT: Paperback
GENRE: Contemporary
LENGTH: 356 pages
PUBLISHER: Forever (February 1,2012)

Dear Reader,
Gracious me, my beautiful daughter Rocky sure could use my help. I always knew she wasn't much interested in the local boys - but who'd have thought she'd come home with English royalty?
Trouble is, Hugh wants to buy some of our folks' land. We don't want to sell, but Rocky's job depends on her closing the deal. And though Hugh's obviously smitten, I'm not sure he's right for my Rocky. Oh, he's classy and handsome - and you should've seen the way he judged pies and fixed stock cars at our Watermelon Festival! - but what do we know about him, really? I know I sound like a nervous mother hen, but after forty happy years with my Elbert, all I want is to see my little girl find the same.
Well, time for me to quit chattering and get back to Miss Bray's wet set. Always nice talking to you, and remember: the Cut 'n Curl's got hot rollers, free coffee, and the best gossip in town.
See you real soon,
Ruby Rhodes

Find Hope: Author Site | Twitter | Facebook
Where To Buy: Amazon(pb) | Kindle | B&N(pb) | Nook | Book Depository
Book Extras: Read an Excerpt

I loved it

Other Books in Series(click for more):

available now

available now

coming soon

REVIEW:
This is a charming story full of laugh-out-loud moments and a sweet, down home feel that bring to mind peach cobbler, watermelon festivals and Southern beauty queens.

Caroline Rhodes has worked very hard to separate herself from her small town roots. She's now the aid to a senator and has been tasked with trying to convince the owner of Golfing For God to sell his land to an English lord so he can build a textile factory.

9 Problems and A Mean Girl Is One of Them...
1. The owner of the mini golf attraction is none other than her father. Who happens to talk to angels. Don't laugh. The angels and he have quite the relationship.

2. The dashing English lord (Hugh deBracy aka Lord Woolham) personifies every woman's vision of what an English lord should be. It's like he's stepped out of the pages of a romance novel. *sigh*

3. Caroline's real name is Rocky Rhodes and she's a former Watermelon Beauty Queen. Not something you want to announce to the outside world. She's changed her name, taken to wearing conservative clothes and straightening her hair.

4. Rocky's ex still has a thing for her while her BFF has a thing for her ex. Bubba Lockhart embarrassed the heck out of Rocky in front of the whole town by proposing to her even after she told him 'no' the first time. Now that she's back in town, he's ready to rekindle whatever they had...12 years ago. Rachel, the BFF, has always had a thing for Bubba but being the friend that she is, she kept her feelings to herself.

5. Cissy Warren, the senator's daughter, has her eyes set on Hugh and his loom design. She will do anything and everything to get it. After all, no one says 'no' to Cissy Warren.

6. Miriam Randall has foretold what kind of person each resident of Last Chance will end up with for quite some time and she's never been wrong. She sees a working man for Rocky and someone who will hand him a fortune for Hugh. According to that, Rocky and Hugh aren't supposed to end up together but what do two people who are attracted to each other do? No one wants to end up with their heart broken.

7. Small towns are notorious for having gossip spread like wildfire. It's like a horrible game of telephone where one person says one thing and it ends up being something else at the end of the line. The town thinks Bubba and Rocky are going to get back together then Dash Randall lassos her off the float and rides away with her so now the town thinks they're sweet on each other. But then Rocky was seen kissing Hugh...

8. The Committee to Resurrect Golfing for God... no one likes to tick off a group of church ladies. There's just something about the power of them that gets everyone shaking in their boots. They're totally against Rocky's father selling the land even if it means no revenue to help the small town of Last Chance not end up like other small towns who have been hit by the economic downturn.

9. A bad business partner has got Hugh in a bind. Before disappearing in a "plane crash", his business partner bought some land in Last Chance for Hugh to set up his textile factory. Thing is, there's swampland, the land was bought at a higher price and the man who owns the land next to it won't sell it because of a tourist attraction called Golfing for God. Welcome to the South Hugh.

FAVORITE QUOTE:

Too bad her libido didn't believe in Miriam Randall and her forecasts.

OVERALL: A wonderful story full of Southern charm and hilarious small town antics. Um, why have I not read any Hope Ramsay books before? This was such a cute story. Take one former Watermelon Beauty Queen turned senator's aide trying to hide her past, throw in a dashing English lord who either has to make it work in the small town of Last Chance or go home and marry a wealthy heiress, add the resident mean girl and background BFF, some eccentric family members (one both sides including a father and niece who talk to angels and an aunt who can see spirits) and a crazy ex-boyfriend and you've got one heck of an unputdownable read. Take one part Hart of Dixie, 2 parts Sweet Home Alabama and a whole lot of Southern comfort and you get a giggletastic modern day Cinderella. I'll be putting the rest of this series on The List.

***review copy provided by publisher***

eARC Review: Once Upon A Wicked Night by Jennifer Haymore

ONCE UPON A WICKED NIGHT by Jennifer Haymore
FORMAT: eBook via Netgalley
GENRE: Historical
LENGTH: 8.096 words (novella)
PUBLISHER: Forever Yours (February 1, 2012)

All of London looks forward to the Dowager Duchess of Clayworth’s annual ball. For no matter how hard the serious society matron strives to host an elegant event, scandal always ensues…

Seven years ago it was a young Serena Donovan and Jonathan Dane who shocked the ton when they were discovered in a most compromising position. Tonight they return for the first time as the Earl and Countess of Stratford. And while Serena hopes for a quiet evening to introduce her younger sister Olivia to society, Jonathan’s only desire is to pick up where he and Serena left off…

Though innocent Olivia secretly longs for the kind of passion her sister shares with her husband, none of the men she’s met spark a fire inside her heart—least of all the notorious Marquis of Fenwicke. When his request for a waltz turns into something sinister, Olivia must use her wit and wiles to evade a powerful peer who vows if can’t have her, no man shall…

Find Jennifer: Author Site | Twitter | Facebook
Where To Buy: Kindle | Nook
Book Extras: Read an Excerpt

I love it

Other Books in Series(click for more):

available now

available now

coming 8/2012

REVIEW:

Spotted: One, Miss Olivia Donovan getting leered at by a certain Marquis in a dark alcove on the second story of the Dowager Duchess of Clayworth's annual ball. Will they be found by the London ton and will OD be shunned? A source informs me that the Marquis is a married man but tends to step out on his wife. Ladies, keep your legs closed and your virtue well guarded!

Hello lovers... Seven years to this day, Miss Serena Donovan the newly wedded Countess of Stratford and her Earl were caught in a most compromising embrace. Well, a source has discreetly informed me that they're at it again and a certain sister may or may not have gotten quite an eyeful. Oh, haven't either of learned from the past?

Certified Grade A Creepy Marquis... The Marquis mentioned earlier is quite the ladies man and has taken a shine to poor OD. Hello Marquis dude, you're married. Oh wait, this is a normal occurrence for men of your station. But for goodness sake, never tell an innocent lady all the lurid things you'll do to her when you get her alone. That just makes you a total creep. And informing a certain lady that if you can't have her, no one else can, that's just stepping over that fine line of sleazy into Edward Cullen watching you in the corner creepy. Yikes!

Enjoy it while you're young... Miss Jessica Donovan giving it a whirl around the ballroom. This young lady looks like the only Donovan sister who will have the time of her life this season.

Now the real question is: Will the sisters Donovan take the London ton by storm or will complications arise that could put their lives in danger? You'll have to read the full books after this novella because I'll never tell...

XOXO, Romance Girl

FAVORITE QUOTE:

It was the truth. She didn't even want a man's mouth—his saliva—on her again. She didn't want anyone breathing oysters and champagne, hot and moist and heavy, onto her skin. She didn't want someone's arms trapping her, imprisoning her in such a tight web of limbs that they stole the breath from her lungs. She heaved in a great breath and released it on an angry sob.

OVERALL: This was a short, fast read that gave a little insight to what happens after Serena (Meg) and Jonathan's happily ever after (Confessions of An Improper Bride) and the showdown between Olivia Donavan and that creepy Lord Fenwicke. It sets up Olivia's book, Secrets of An Accidental Duchess. I wish it was a bit longer with a little more Jessica and Phoebe time but the ending definitely leaves you wondering what Olivia will do to keep herself from running into Fenwicke.

***review copy from Netgalley***

Review: Secrets of An Accidental Duchess by Jennifer Haymore

SECRETS OF AN ACCIDENTAL DUCHESS by Jennifer Haymore
FORMAT: Paperback
GENRE: Historical
LENGTH: 418 pages
PUBLISHER: Forever (February 1,2012)

Secret Seduction
With her pale hair and slim figure, Olivia Donovan looks as fragile as fine china, and has been treated as such by her sisters ever since a childhood bout with malaria. But beneath her delicate facade, Olivia guards a bold, independent spirit and the kind of passionate desires proper young ladies must never confess...

It was reckless wager, and one Max couldn't resist: Seduce the alluring Olivia or forfeit part of his fortune. Yet the wild, soon-to-be Duke never imagined he'd fall in love with this innocent beauty. Nor could he have guessed that dangerous unpredictable rival would set out to destroy them both. Now, Max must beat a madman at his own twisted game---or forever lose the only woman to have ever won his heart.

Where To Find Jennifer: Author Site | Twitter | Facebook
Where To Buy: Amazon(pb) | Kindle | B&N(pb) | Nook | Powell's
Book Extras: Read an Excerpt

I loved it

Other Books in Series(click on covers for more):

available now

novella available

coming 8/2012

REVIEW:
Welcome to London, playground of the rich and titled. Gossip runs amok in the ballrooms, drawing rooms, carriages and theater of the ton. Wagers are a common thing among the peer whether it's horseflesh, cards or seducing a woman of her virtue.

Spotted: A certain Maxwell Buchanan, Lord Hasley, soon-to-be Duke of Wakefield making a wager with nemesis Leonard Reece, Marquis of Fenwicke, future Duke of Southington, of whether a certain Miss Olivia Donovan, would allow MB to steal more than kisses. Signed and dated, the bet is on. Who have you placed your bets on?

Brace Yourself Sussex! A house party. Is anything as grand or as delightful as a house party? Of course not. This girl has been informed a certain MB and OD have been spotted along the lake feeding geese and feeling an instant attraction that shouldn't be happening. It's been said that OD has her life planned out. She will be the best Auntie to her sisters' children and live with Lord and Lady Stratford. What kind of life is that when a gorgeous soon-to-be Duke has his sights, hands and lips set on you?

Rumor has it... that MB and OD have been spending quite a bit of time together. Walking, talking, playing tennis (isn't that bad for someone who has had malaria and comes down with a fever every once in a while?), stealing kisses, sharing smoldering stares. That's right all you old biddy gossips, there might be something more. Shall we put a wedding in the wager books?

Can You Say Obsessed And Dangerous? Sources inform me that LR is not the man he portrays himself to be. Whispers of 'wife beater' and 'short temper' has been circulating. The sisters Donovan have become quite friendly with his wife who lives next door and has some suspicious looking bruises certainly not from accidentally falling. (Miss Jessica Donovan is willing to risk her life to save Beatrice Reece's. Go girl! No one should have to take that kind of abuse. Ever. Even if he is her husband.) LR is quite the ladies man. He's got women left and right throwing themselves at him even though he's got a wife locked up in his estate in Sussex. How rude! Rumor has it, he even tried to proposition OD in a totally inappropriate fashion. In a dark corner of a London ballroom. Talking dirty doesn't do it for everyone, LR.

Complications! So MB and OD have fallen into a comfortable companionship and it's been rumored that they've done the horizontal tango. Quite a number of times. Apparently if OD is to live her life as a spinster, she might as well enjoy the pleasures of the flesh while it's available to her. But MB has other things in mind. He's come to l-- Dare I say it? Love! And so has she. The only two things standing between them are a frightening relapse of a fever and a bet that was made before they knew each other. *shakes head*

So the real question is: Will OD succumb to the fever and cling by a thread but with the help of MB can overcome it to declare their love for one another or will the revelation of a wager placed on OD's virtue tear them apart. What was real and what wasn't? Was OD just another notch on MB's bedpost?

That's a secret I'll never tell (and you'll have to read if you want to find out)...

XOXO,
Romance Girl :)

FAVORITE QUOTE:

"Any pursuit will be a happy one, as long as I pursue it with you."

*dies*

OVERALL: Uh, why have I not read Jennifer Haymore before? Don't answer that. I've been living under a rock. These are my second favorite Donovans. Seriously. This was such a fun and refreshing story built on intense attraction that should have turned my book into ash, all the while keeping me teetering on the edge as to whether Olivia's sickness would creep up and destroy their budding relationship. Max drew me in from the moment he made that bet with Fenwicke (can you say Creepy Ass Creepy of The First Order?) as to whether Olivia would succumb to his charms to the point of giving up her virtue. My eyes went wide when he accepted it. I'm glad that Olivia has a strong and independent spirit even though she might is constantly struck with fevers (left over from her bout with malaria) and that Max saw her as so even if the gentlemen of the ton would shy away because of it. Never have I ever put down a book so many times just gasping for air. Of all the books I've read this one definitely struck a chord. Domestic abuse is not to be taken lightly or accepted even if a woman does belong to her husband. I wanted to crawl into the pages, shake Beatrice and tell her to run for her life. Of course I wanted to shake her until she came to her senses but then I'd have been no better than her husband. Ms. Haymore, your books have been added to The List.

***review copy provided by publisher***

Review: Sex, Lies and Valentines by Tawny Weber

SEX, LIES AND VALENTINES by Tawny Weber
FORMAT: Paperback
GENRE: Contemporary
LENGTH: 224 pages
PUBLISHER: Harlequin Blaze (January 24, 2012)

My naughty valentine...

Con artist Gabriel Black just got busted. By a babe. Drool-worthy (and clearly sneaky) FBI agent Danita Cruz is forcing Gabriel to choose between hard time and scamming his own family for an undercover sting. Now he has to present Danita to his family as his girlfriend. And it's the perfect opportunity to get wickedly even with her...

But Danita has some tricks of her own, and Gabriel's control begins slipping away as raw sexual energy takes over. Their sham relationship starts feeling a lot like...well, the real deal. The Big Question is, will overwhelming desire be enough to make a liar go legit?

Where To Find Tawny: Author Site | Twitter | Facebook
Where To Buy: Amazon(pb) | Kindle | B&N(pb) | Nook | Book Depository

I loved it

Other Books In Series(click for excerpts):


REVIEW:

Whoa! Totally did not see that ending coming. I think it's time for me to hang up my sleuthing magnifying glass and awesome Sherlock hat. This trying to figure out whodunit thing isn't working out for me.

The con man is about to get conned into the biggest game of his life---love. Gabriel Black is the youngest of the Black children and he took after his old man not only in looks but in skill. He set out to prove that he could be a greater con man than his father going as far as selling the Golden Gate Bridge to some poor idiot.

Danita Cruz does everything by the book until the devilishly handsome Gabriel shows up. She's pulled herself up from absolute poverty and bagging Tobias Black as the man behind the illegal activity in Black Oaks could land her the promotion of a lifetime. All she has to do is act as Gabriel's floozy for hire. Easier said than done.

Gabriel is being blackmailed into helping Danita try to catch his father in the act. The surprising news of his big brother Caleb getting married on Valentines day and the pressure from the FBI send him back to the town he tried to stay away from. Caleb is in love and about to marry the woo woo queen's daughter, Maya is happily in love with an FBI agent. Seems like everyone but him has found that special someone.

After Gabriel gets an 'in' with the crime ring, he uses his charm, wit and suaveness to get the chosen men to give up some of their secrets as Danita plays his ditzy companion. Danita dressed up in sexy clothing doesn't help the matter and things get heated. But they must stay focused and either find out that Tobias is behind the illegal activity or someone else that Gabriel's known his whole life.

As the stakes get higher and their chemistry practically turns into an inferno, Gabriel and Danita must figure out not only who is the kingpin but if they are willing to give in to their sizzling attraction. Forever.

FAVORITE QUOTE:

Then she unzipped the bottom of the suitcase. Gabriel frowned, wondering what she was going to pull out of her FBI bag of tricks next. A cache of weapons? A computer station complete with homing signals and listening devices? Some weird but erotic form of bondage so she could tie him to the bed and ensure he didn't run off and get into trouble during the night?

OVERALL: A solid finish for this series. Ms. Weber definitely kept me on my toes and totally blindsided me with the ring leader. Yup. That one was a doozy. The instant attraction between Danita and Gabriel had me sucking in my breath and screaming "Just do it already! Bend her over the dresser." Whaaat? Like you wouldn't do the same thing. Gabriel was charming and Danita had me laughing with her witty quips. What a pair.

***review copy provided by author***

eARC Review: Scrumptious by Amanda Usen

Scrumptious by Amanda Usen
FORMAT: ARC from Netgalley
GENRE: Contemporary
LENGTH: 320 pages
PUBLISHER: Sourcebook Casablanca (January 1, 2012)

TALL DARK AND DELICIOUS

Joe Rafferty is just as mouthwatering as the food he cooks. But if he thinks he's going to waltz in and take over her kitchen, he's denser than a thick slice of chocolate ripple cheesecake. Marly has invested too much of her life in Chameleon to hand off the restaurant to someone else—especially a cocky-as-all-get-out superstar chef. But there's no denying the man knows how to light her fire. Question is: Can she have the sizzle without feeling the burn?

Where To Find Amanda Usen: Author Site | Twitter | Facebook
Where To Buy: Amazon(pb) | Kindle | B&N(pb) | Nook | Book Depository

I loved it

Review:

Joe Rafferty new mantra is “No more sluts.” His mom’s dying wish was that he settles down and finds love. On his way across the country to a new job in California he meets Marlene Bennet. Marly is the female version of Joe. She’s shies away from any kind of commitment but isn’t opposed to finding a hot man to warm her bed if she wants. And with Joe coming through town he’s just her man. That is until all everything goes to hell and Joe finds himself staying for longer then he anticipated and Marly finds herself frustrated in more ways then one.

“She failed to seduce the man who slept with everyone. And she quoted Top Gun in the attempt. She wasn’t sure which was worse.”

I found myself laughing out loud at Marly. She is who she is and doesn’t apologize for it. She also quotes Top Gun and you can’t help but love her. Plus she is loyal and protective of her friends. When Joe shows up to help she pushes his buttons to show him who’s in charge. But Joe pushes her right back.

Watching these two try and find themselves while learning to love was almost painful… in a good way. They both had horrible examples of love growing up and watching them fight what was happening just broke my heart. Of course, they are also trying to find the person who is sabotaging the restaurant and ends in a ridiculous high stakes poker game. Seriously, the last couple of chapters are just ridiculous.

Favorite Quote:

“Man’s best friend is dog, but woman’s best friend is vibrator. You’ll have to forgive me if I don’t ask you to stay.” Joe moved toward her. He took the vibrator out of her hand and sent it sailing into the bedroom where it landed on the bed with a solid thump. She was mesmerized by the heat in his eyes.

“I’ve got a better idea,” Joe said.

Ok... I have another favorite quote because I can't pass up a Top Gun reference.

He looked disappointed. “Does that mean you won’t be quoting any more Top Gun for me?”

“I’ll peel the potatoes if you promise not to mention that again.”

He shook his head. “No way. I have some particular favorites from that movie. In fact, if we don’t get a move on, we won’t be ready for dinner. You could say, ‘We have a need, a need for—’”

“Stop it!” She laughed in spite of herself. He was an arrogant prick, but at least he had a sense of humor.

Overall:
I’m going to let you in on a secret: I love debut novels. What I love even better is a great debut novel. Scrumptious was a fun read and I read it one day. There aren’t many books that will do that to me but I was so caught up in the fun of the story that I didn’t want to put it down. Plus, they quote Top Gun. Is this the next great American novel? No, but if you are looking for something fun to read with Sexy Times that will curl your toes then this is it.

Also, I would have a snack handy. All the talk of food sure gets a girl hungry.


**Review copy from Netgalley**

ARC Review: King of Darkness by Elisabeth Staab

KING OF DARKNESS by Elisabeth Staab
FORMAT: ARC
GENRE: Paranormal
LENGTH: 352 pages
PUBLISHER: Sourcebooks Casablanca (February 7, 2012)

ETERNAL COMMITMENT IS NOT ON HER AGENDA...
Scorned by the vampire community for her lack of power, Isabel Anthony lives a carefree existence masquerading as human---although, drifting through the debauched human nightlife, she prefers the patrons' blood to other indulgences. But when she meets the sexy, arrogant king of the vampires, this party-girl's life turns dark and dangerous.

BUT TIME'S RUNNING OUT FOR THE KING OF VAMPIRES...
Dead-set on finding the prophesied mate who will unlock his fiery powers, Thad Morgan must find his queen before their race is destroyed. Their enemies are gaining ground, and Thad needs his powers to unite his subjects. But when his search leads him to the defiant Isabel, he wonders if fate has gotten it seriously wrong...

Where To Find Elisabeth: Author Site | Twitter | Facebook
Where To Buy: Amazon(pb) | Kindle | B&N(pb) | Nook | Book Depository
Book Extras: Read an Excerpt

I loved it.

REVIEW:

What a wonderful surprise this book was. At first after reading the blurb I thought to myself--sounds interesting but do I want to keep reading? Good thing I did! However, I had to put the book down a few times to get my bearings since there's so much going on. As with any start to a series, especially of the paranormal persuasion, there's a lot of world and mythos building.

I loved every page of this book. It goes something like this:

Thad: Dude, I'm here at this crazy ass night club trying to find my queen so I can gain my powers to rule over the vampire world.
Lee: Uh, sure but you've got to be careful. Are you sure she's here? This doesn't seem like the place for your future queen to hang out. Look at all this let's-do-The-Sexy-in-front-of-everyone-at-a-nightclub thing. This doesn't seem like her scene.
Thad: Naw dude, I can feel it in my veins. My future queen is here. We have to find her. Damn my old man for dying 100 years too early. Now I'm left to rule the vampire world but I have to have powers to do so.
Lee: Whoa! Check out that chick necking with that other chick. I think I just got a hard on. Ohhhh... that's your queen. Look at that tramp stamp of a tattoo that indicates she's your mate. Haha. Your woman likes chicks.
Thad: *silently brooding* Whatever. I'll just tell her that she's got the fate of the whole vampire race resting on her shoulders. She's my destiny.
Isabel: Hello tall, dark and brooding!
Thad: Hi. Uh... you're my future queen and you have with come with me. We will rule the vampire race.
Isabel: Tall, dark and brooding vampire dude who just told me that I'm his future queen say what now? I'm not queen material much less vampire-y. I'm only a halves-y.
Thad: You heard correctly. You are my queen. That tattoo on your lower back says so.

There's quite a bit of this going back and forth as to how Isabel is Thad's queen and she must accept him. An instant attraction develops between them which explodes into doing The Sexy the night that they meet. Bow chica wow wow. Then there's the complication of Isabel's human friend Alexia who is attacked by a crazy wizard. This in turn makes Thad take Isabel and Lexi back to his home to keep them safe from the next wave of evil wizards.

Thad: So have you thought more about being my queen?
Isabel: Yup and the answer is I don't think so. I'm not queen material. How many freaking times do I have to tell you this. I'll do whatever it is that needs to be done... some mating ritual or whatever and bam! you'll have your powers. Easy peasy.
Thad: Easy peasy? I'm falling for you but I can't say it out loud because I'll look like a total pansy.
Isabel: Oh jeez. I like you too but I can't let you know this because you deserve someone better. Someone who knows how to be a queen.


And it goes back and forth like that. But there's bigger games afoot. The wizards are closing in. They want Thad's half sister for their side so they send one of their own to kidnap her. He fails and is beaten within an inch of his life, wakes up with no memory but feels something for Thad's sister. Then Isabel runs away, okay, she goes out for a walk and is kidnapped by super evil wizards. Thad and the gang have to go rescue her. This of course makes Thad and Isabel realize that they're important to each other. Uh, DUH! Almost losing someone does make you re-evaluate your feelings.

FAVORITE QUOTE:

Somehow she had gone from just another night at the club to hearing that she was the king's destined mate and being invited to move in with him, and then to being attacked in her apartment by something she had heard only in childhood stories. All of that before teleporting to some big ass mansion she didn't even know the location of with her sister-in-law. No, no. Thad's sister.

***quote subject to change in finished copy***


OVERALL: A wonderful debut from Ms. Elisabeth Staab. Vampires versus wizards. My first book of its kind. Where are the shifters? LOL. The characters were memorable. Especially that human hating vampire Lee. I had to laugh when he was attracted to Isabel's human bff. I love the smaller stories being built up around Thad and Isabel. The wizard who is sent to kidnap Tyra because she has an amazing power that could benefit their cause falls for her. Lee and Lexi have something going on. Sparks are flying that's for sure. I can't wait for the next book in this series!

***review copy sent by Kim at SOS Aloha***

eARC Review: How Miss Rutherford Got Her Groove Back by Sophie Barnes

HOW MISS RUTHERFORD GOT HER GROOVE BACK by Sophie Barnes
FORMAT: PDF
GENRE: Historical
LENGTH: 368 pages
PUBLISHER: Avon Impulse (January 31, 2012)

Emily Rutherford is having a very bad day. Of course, having the man you’ve loved forever, announce his engagement to your (now very former) best friend will do that.

Emily is sure nothing good could possibly come out of this horrid situation. But she lets her sisters and Adrian’s cousin, Francis Riley, the delectable but brooding Earl of Dunhurst, convince her a season in London will be just the thing.

Now Emily has a choice: sulk in a corner while her sisters enjoy the glitter of the ton. Or become the belle of the ball, dazzling everyone on an earl’s arm. But as Francis helps Emily get back on her feet, she quickly realizes that a childhood crush is nothing compared to the power of true love.

Where To Find Sophie: Author Site | Twitter | Facebook

Where To Buy: Amazon(pb) | Kindle | B&N(pb) | Nook

Book Extras: Read the First Chapter

I loved it.

REVIEW & Book Trailer:

Welcome to the London ton where anything and everything is game and ready to be spread as gossip through ballrooms, drawing rooms, house parties, behind fans and over the breakfast table.

Spotted: One, Miss Emily Rutherford is having the most terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day. Turns out Lord Adrian Fairchild's promise of marrying her when they were younger were just thrown out there due to their comfortable camaraderie as children. And it goes something like this: E thought she had an unspoken (okay, so it was spoken. once) understanding that A would finally ask her to marry him. Everyone kept hinting at it. Why wouldn't they? They've know each other forever so it would only be a natural course their relationship would take. Well, turns out A has fallen in love with a certain Lady Kate whom he renewed his acquaintance with in London. Poor E is heartbroken. So what's a girl to do? Go to London and stay with A's cousin, Lord Francis Riley. That one's a bit of a broody sourpuss. Watch out ladies!

Goodbye Hardington, Hellooo London: Well, a girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do to get over a broken heart. What better way than to jump at the chance than saying yes to staying with a certain F? Yes, the sisters Rutherford shall be staying right down the street from a dashing lord. With a chaperone of course. Turns out E isn't immune to F's charms. She may have disliked him when they were children due to his pulling away to deal with something a child shouldn't have to endure. That's right London ton. Get your bets in as to whether E and F will end up walking down the aisle very soon.

Spotted: A certain A is in town to make a big engagement announcement. E is looking a bit shocked. Why would he follow her? She did after all leave Hardington to get away from him. But a certain F is there to distract her. A source tells this girl that F has major feelings for a certain not so heartbroken Miss. It has been brought to my attention that E and F have been spending quite a bit of time. Alone. That spells trouble with a capital M (marriage).

Complication: Turns out F has gone home to Dunhurst to take care of a situation involving a lady. Uh oh. A little blackmail can go a long way. Watch out E! You might have to help your man get out of this one.

So the real question is: Will E finally get her happily ever after with a certain F and forget about A when F confesses his love for her or will a certain rumor about someone having a mistress send her into a tizzy?

Until next time... XOXO,
Romance Girl :)

FAVORITE QUOTE:

And then of course there was her opinion to consider. Would she ever care to entertain the though of kissing him, let alone marrying him? He was willing to bet his life that she wasn't. Not yet anyway. Therefore, he had made up his mind. He had devised a carefully thought-out plan, its sole purpose being to eventually ensure Emily's hand in marriage. And he would do it the old fashioned way--through trickery.

OVERALL: It's a laugh out loud story with a butterfly emerging out of her cocoon heroine and a scowling hero with a secret. Throw in a clueless ex-bff potential suitor and you've got a wonderful debut. There were times that I wanted to smack Emily upside the head, shake her and scream "Get over Adrian! Lookit this tall, dark and brooding sexy man who's got it bad for you. Like I'd-write-a-cheesy-pop-ballad-for-you bad." I like that Emily finally realized what was in front of her, even if it took a broken heart to shake her up a bit. Francis's secret threw me for a bit of a loop but with the help of Emily it got tied up and shipped to Newgate in a nice little bow. :) 

***review copy provided by Goddess Fish Promotions***

ARC Review: Kiss of the Vampire by Cynthia Garner

KISS OF THE VAMPIRE by Cynthia Garner
FORMAT: ARC
GENRE: Paranormal
LENGTH: 352 pages
PUBLISHER: Forever Romance (February 1, 2012)

Once a generation, the rift between the paranormal world and the human world opens, allowing supernatural entities to cross. Vampire, demon, or shapeshifter, they can save the world---or send it spiraling into chaos.
Half-demon, half-homan, Nix de la Fuente is accepted by neither and mistrusted by both. Determined to prove she's more human than not, she devotes herself to solving crimes between the world's mortals and its most unsavory undead. But her latest case brings her face to face with the one vampire she could never resist...
Called to investigate a string of violent murders, special agent Tobias Caine isn't interested in rekindling his relationship with Nix. Yet one look and the vampire knows his need for her is as strong as ever. Once, their all-consuming passion nearly cost Nix her fragile hold on her humanity. Now, as their hunger for one another intensifies, exposing them to an unimaginable danger, it could cost them both their lives.

Where To Find Cynthia: Author Site | Twitter | Facebook
Where To Buy: Amazon(pb) | Kindle | B&N(pb) | Nook | Powell's
Book Extras: Read an Excerpt

I loved it!

REVIEW:
Vampires, shifters and demons. Oh my! A fantastic start to a new paranormal series.

If Law & Order ever did an episode featuring creatures that go bump in the night, this book should be the basis of it. It starts off with a gruesome murder. Like white sheet over the disemboweled body so onlookers don't throw up kind of gruesome. (Do you hear the strains of the opening theme? Yeah, you're welcome.)

Nix de la Fuente serves as an investigative liaison between the preternatural Council and humans. This new death has become personal. Her ex-friend Amarinda was found gutted but no one knows who committed the crime. At the scene, Nix smells a trace of demon, lying under all the other scents. Oh, did I mention she's half demon so she's sort of living in limbo between the two worlds? Yeah, her childhood was rough. Succubi mother killed human father in throws of passion, succubi mother leaves since she's got a different kind of nurturing bone in her body, human grandmother reluctantly takes her in but can't see past the demon side of her, proves her grandmother right about her demon nature and rebels, grandmother dies and foster system didn't work out too well. Apparently love was not her thing so she decided to learn some street smarts.

Anywho, up walks tall, dark and handsome who she smells before she sees. Tobias Caine is throwing off some major pheromone mojo that brings back memories of love, comfort and quite a bit of The Sexy Times. He's replaced the quadrant vampire liaison to investigate the murders. He's also on a manhunt er, vampire hunt? for a vampire that killed the leader of his planet. Somehow the killer found his way through the rift.  After seeing Amarinda's body, Tobias is pissed. She had called him while he was in Alaska, telling him she needed to talk and now she's dead.

Nix and Tobias must work together, along with human Detective Dante MacMillan to solve the case of The Great Vampire Killing Spree. With pressure from the Council to figure out who has it out for the vampires (be they human, vampire, demon or were) before the Killing Spree continues. Nix and Tobias' sexual tension is strong. His presence brings out the inner demon in her and the only way to push that demon back is a session of tai chi. After five years, the feelings are still there but neither wants to act on it because of the consequences for Nix. There's a lot of will they/won't they, oh my god they did!, whoa totally didn't see that one coming and where can I get one of my very own?

Sidenote: Travel through the rift places the preternatural being into some random human's body. Yes, it's a case of body snatching or maybe like that show Tracker with Adrian Paul where he takes the form of an underwear model. Interesting enough, the rift opens up only every hundred years or so but someone has found a way to open a mini rift.

FAVORITE QUOTE:

Some people used meth. Others drank themselves into a stupor. He drug of choice was Tobias Caine. And it seemed that even after five years of sobriety, she was still as addicted as ever.

***quote subject to change in finished copy***

OVERALL: The action in this book is like the frickin energizer bunny. It hits the ground running and continues until the very end. A colorful cast of characters are introduced so well that you want to know more about them. Out of all the characters, Detective Dante MacMillan, a secondary character who will get his own book next, totally stole the show for me. He was funny, caring and was quite smooth with the ladies. Tobias did surprise me. Nix made him out to be some sort of jerk who just up and left her when her demon got totally out of control. But there was a purpose to his leaving and that he actually cared. He could have at least been less callous about the way he just broke their relationship off. As for the Council, there's something shifty going on and I intend to find out when the next book in this series comes along. It's like Law & Order opening sequence meets Torchwood rift activity meets a case of the body snatchers meets a touch of 'I wish I knew how to quit you' (but involving a vampire and demon instead of two cowboys).

***review copy from Netgalley***