Review: The Gravedigger's Brawl by Abigail Roux

Title: The Gravedigger's Brawl
Author: Abigail Roux
Source: NetGalley
Genre: Paranormal M/M Romance
Length: Novel (250 pgs) 
Release Date: October 15, 2012
Reviwed by: Kris

Dr. Wyatt Case is never happier than when he's walking the halls of his history museum. But Wyatt needs to draw a younger crowd, and he needs a big idea to do it. When his best friend, Noah, drags him out to play wingman at Gravedigger's Tavern, Wyatt is thrown even further out of his comfort zone by the eccentric bartender.

Ash Lucroix is everything Wyatt doesn't understand: Exuberant, quirky, and elbow deep in a Gaslight lifestyle that weaves history into everyday life. He coordinates his suspenders with his tongue rings. Within hours of meeting, Wyatt and Ash realize that attraction needs no explanation. But their meeting sparks a series of events that has everyone at Gravedigger's wondering if they're seeing ghosts, or just going crazy. The answer to that question could end more than just Wyatt and Ash’s fragile relationship—it might also end their lives.

ARC Review: Trick of Time by J.L. Merrow

Title: Trick of Time
Author: J.L. Merrow
Source: NetGalley
Genre: Time Travel Romance
Length: Novella (84 pgs) Release Date: Jan 28 2013

 

When Ted Ennis steps out the doors of the Criterion Theatre for a cigarette and finds himself in Victorian London, he begins to doubt his sanity. At first he thinks it's all a film set, and is sure that the strikingly handsome young man leaning against a lamppost must be the leading man…
What starts as a sordid transaction with a beautiful rent boy quickly turns into something much deeper, drawing him back again and again as he gets to know Jem and craves meaningful encounters with him.
But Ted doesn't understand the exact conditions necessary for his trips through time—and for Jem, time may actually be running out. Now Ted has one last shot to get back to Jem and save their relationship, before it's too late…

REVIEW OF THE VESSEL (THE KINGDOM SERIES -1 ) BY AMANDA ROSE

Title: The Vessel (The Kingdom Series -1)
Author: Amanda Rose
Source: Requested Review
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Format: ebook - 53,000 Words
Release Date: 10/2010
Author's Website



Tortured and ruined for all women who cross his path, he still remains the most infamous seducer in a world filled with magic and creatures of myth. His one dream? To destroy the kingdom that took everything he ever cared for.

Abigail is everything a man could ask for. She’s sweet and charming, with a little bit of New York flair. She soon realizes her love for a gorgeous prince is the worst decision of her life, and she spirals to new levels of depression. After her kidnapping, it seems her fate is doomed, but she cannot fight the feelings that lurk beneath her conscience. This tortured man who stands before her, offers freedom like she has never felt with another. But will it be enough to erase her past?

Trauco’s love goes no further than the women from which he steals. That is, until he sets his heart on the wrong kind of target. Will he finally fall like the others and take on a vessel, or will his battle for vengeance continue?

Rating

Sexual

My Review

I think the author came up with a very creative storyline that I hadn’t seen before which I think is very challenging to do. There was also a lot going on in this story even though it was short. It was a little confusing at first because it was told in flashbacks for a little bit. After that, the story flowed a little smoother. I had a hard time liking the heroine, Abby. I didn’t understand how she could just leave her family to be with Derek. I also didn’t really feel like I got to know her very well. I would like to see more extended dialogue since that’s always my favorite part of a story. I did like Trauco and enjoyed watching him fall in love.

Review “For Want of An Angel” (Book 3 of the Fallen Warriors Series) by Rosalie Lario

Title: For Want of An Angel
Author: Rosalie Lario
Source:  Author Request

Genre: Paranormal Romance

Length: ebook - 120 pages

Release Date:  8/31/2012

Reviewed by Kris

Fallen angel Aaron has found the woman of his dreams, an alluring nephilim who has no clue what she really is. By taking her as his mate, he can preserve his strength and immortality... something he’ll need in the fight against the angels who seek to destroy mankind. But first he must convince her that he and his Fallen brethren are not the evil beings they have been made out to be. 

Samantha Benson has the ability to interfere with electrical signals, an attribute which makes professional thievery the perfect career for her. As if her special abilities weren’t enough to deal with, a fallen angel lands right before her and tells her she has angelic blood. He also expects her to believe the Fallen are really the good guys, and that the rest of the angels plan for human annihilation. Surely the sexy-as-sin Fallen is lying. But if so, then why do his words make such sense?

As the Fallen plan to infiltrate a secret prison built by the angels, Aaron must not only convince Samantha that mankind needs her help, but also that the two of them are meant to be together...forever.

Review of "Rocked" by Barbara Elsborg

Title: Rocked
Author: Barbara Elsborg
Source: Requested Review
Genre: Paranormal Erotica
Format: ebook - # pages
Release Date: 5/24/2011
Author's Website

The Rock
Desired by men and women, Eli’s good looks make sexual conquest easy until he attends a party at the Supernatural Museum, where they land him in deep trouble. He says no to the wrong women, and his punishment is to learn the ultimate meaning of loneliness.

The Stone Maiden
Much to her family’s disappointment, not only is Pepper single but she works a hard and dirty job as an apprentice stonemason. Pepper loves bringing stone to life with her chisel but struggles with the isolation that comes with being different. Then there’s her attraction to her boss, Alessandro, who appears to prefer men. When Eli materializes out of nowhere, Pepper can hardly believe her eyes. Now she’s caught between a rock and a hard place.

The Hard Place
His hands hardened by years training to become a master stonemason, Alessandro is an expert at his craft, but not in matters of the heart. A daily frustration when he’s in hopelessly in love with Pepper and the man of his dreams has disappeared. As Alessandro’s team begins to restore the Supernatural Museum, he, Pepper, and Eli are drawn into the building’s secrets and risk losing everything they hold dear.

Publisher's Note: This book contains explicit sexual content, graphic language, and situations that some readers may find objectionable: anal play/intercourse, male/male sexual practices, menage (m/m/f).

Review Of "Blood of the Demon" (Demons of Infernum #1)

Title: Blood of the Demon (Demons of Infernum #1)
Author: Rosalie Lario
Source: Author
Genre: Paranormal romance
Format: ebook - 272 pages
Release Date: 8/2/2011
Author's Website



Keegan lives to exact revenge on the evil demon who sired and abused him. When his father devises a plan to bring on the apocalypse, he and his three half-brothers, interdimensional bounty hunters for the Elden Council, are charged with capturing and delivering their father for punishment.
Art gallery owner Brynn Meyers has no idea that her ability to read memories embedded in objects and drain people of their life force means she has demon ancestry. Unfortunately for Brynn, she's also the key to raising an ancient zombie army, which puts her on every demon's Most Wanted List.
And no one wants her more than Keegan's father.
Keegan must protect Brynn from his father by any means necessary, but he'll have to learn to harness the other half of his genetics-the far deadlier, uncontrollable half-when he starts to fall for the one woman standing between him and the vengeance he so desperately seeks. The one woman he'll never be able to resist.

My Ratings
My Review
I loved this story!! I loved the new world she built with beings from other worlds. I loved that there were all sorts of different creatures. The 4 brothers were each born from a mother of a different species. Their evil father, however, was their connection and the villain in this story. Keegan was great! He was sexy, sweet, and although conflicted, he adored Brynn from the start. Brynn was a great character. She was strong, smart, and showed her true strength when it really mattered. I loved how the two of them didn’t truly hook up until later in the book, but between dreams and their obsession with each other, there was a lot of steam in this story! The plot moved quickly, was interesting, and had me flipping the pages quickly. I did not want this story to end! Fortunately, we got to meet all of the brothers, and they all interest me. I can’t wait to read their stories!

Review Of "Spencer" By Kathi S. Barton

Title: SPENCER (THE GRANT BROTHERS #3)
Author: Kathi S. Barton
Genre: Erotic Suspense
Format: ebook - 245 pages
Release Date: 8/22/11
Author's Website




Caitlynne O’Malley is a great detective in Chicago .And a clean one. But her partner wasn’t and nearly killed her because of it. So she goes home to recuperate and to stay with her beloved Uncle and Aunt in Ohio. While there she has to save little Meggie Grant from certain death from a speeding truck, and Cait ends up hurting herself again. When she ends up at the hospital from her injuries she meets Meggie’s daddy, Spencer Grant. And the sparks immediately start to fly. Spencer has a home with his little girl, a wonderful intrusive family that he loves, and a job that makes him happy. Not only is he not intimidated by the gun toting cop, he finds himself oddly attracted to the beautiful woman. But Cait has vowed to never let herself fall in love. But when she is being hunted, her family makes a choice – live or die to protect Caddy-did and the little girl they've grown to love too. When Meggie is taken, Cait only has one chance to save her for Spencer, get her back to him at any cost. Cait has made a promise and is determined to keep it. Even at the cost of everything she loves. O'Malley has a love that defies everything. But is it enough? Meggie loves the hard-hearted woman, but can Cait love her in return?






MY REVIEW
I really enjoyed this story. It kept me on the edge of my seat, and I had no idea of what was going to happen next. I loved both of the characters, and although I usually don’t care for children in my stories, I thought the daughter was a great addition to this one. Cait is a great character. She is a cop through and through. She’s honest, straight-forward, and sexy. I loved Spencer and thought he was also a well-developed character. He was smoking hot, a great Dad, and very thoughtful. Outside of one really stupid moment, which almost seemed out of character for Spencer, I thought the two of them had a great relationship. There was a lot to the plot, but it wasn’t confusing at all. This is not a light suspense novel, but instead has some brutal moments and is a bit on the dark side.


I must mention that I also read the first two books in this series about Nickolas and Devin. I don’t think you need to read them in order to read the 3rd book in the series. The reason I personally can’t recommend them is due to the level and type of violence, including the rape and significant abuse of small children and women, and the lack of romance.

ARC REVIEW OF Dark Sins and Desert Sands by Stephanie Draven

ARC REVIEW OF Dark Sins and Desert Sands
Title: Dark Sins and Desert Sands
Author: Stephanie Draven
Source: Requested Review
Genre: Paranormal Romantic Suspense
Format: ebook - 288 pages
Release Date: 10/18/2011
Author's Website (You can also sign up for her newsletter here.)


Wrongfully accused and broken by torture, an American soldier transforms into a mind-controlling minotaur bent on revenge…only to fall in love with his beautiful but cool-eyed interrogator.
Ray Stavrakis is out for revenge. As an Arab-American soldier accused of treason, Ray was interrogated and tortured so brutally, he's been transformed into a monster of ancient imagination. He can enter the maze of other people's minds and learn their secrets--even get them to do his bidding. This is a power he intends to use on Dr. Layla Bahset, the woman who broke him.
But Layla is now working as a Las Vegas psychologist and she has a secret. She can't remember her past and she can't remember Ray. When he enters her mind, there is nothing but a sandy desert, and he realizes that she's no ordinary woman. Layla and Ray become the target of a chase that is altogether other-worldly. Pursued by an Egyptian war god, Layla and Ray find their fates, and passions, increasingly entwined. And they learn that in a modern world in which the gods of old civilizations use mortals like playthings, they need each other to survive.



Rating



Sexual



MY REVIEW
This was such a well written story. I just can't get over how much I enjoyed it. It was a paranormal, romantic suspense novel. I have a lot of nice things to say about this book, but the best part of it for me was how smooth the writing was in the story. I felt like I was in the story watching everything happen live. There was a lot of very realistic dialogue between several very
interesting characters. There was just enough happening to keep me on the edge of my seat without overwhelming me with too many characters or strange plot points. I don't like violence or torture. The few times these issues were brought up, they were touched upon just enough to give me an idea of what happened to the hero in the past without rubbing it in my face. I absolutely loved Layla! She was such an amazing character. She was kind, intelligent, and loving. I also loved Ray. He was such a kind hearted person who was strong, caring, and perfect for Layla. These two were perfect for each other, and it was great watching them fall in love. The remaining cast of characters really helped to round out the story.

REVIEW OF SIREN SONG BY STEPHANIE DRAVEN

Title: Siren Song
Author: Stephanie Draven
Source: Requested Review
Genre: Paranormal Romantic Suspense
Format: ebook - 75 pages
Release Date: 1/1/2011
Author's Website





When Chloe Karras sings, she knows that no one can resist her sensual allure—except for the sexy naval officer seemingly immune to her voice. But Captain Alex Shore is just the man she wants to take home after her performance—until he tells her what she thought were imagined powers are real...and dangerous.
Alexandros knows firsthand how seductive sirens are, as well as their potential to destroy. Yet the former sea soldier feels a powerful attraction to the beautiful rock singer that goes beyond her spell. Can he banish Chloe from the town he's vowed to protect—or will he be drawn into the siren's bed?



My Rating:
Sexual:

My Review:
I really enjoyed the flow of this story. I liked Chloe and Alexandro and thought that they worked pretty well together as a couple. I liked the paranormal aspect including her being a siren. The steamy scenes were very well written and had a nice little twist. It has a suspenseful plot due to some murders, and I thought the villain made sense. I was impressed that the story, as short as it was, covered so much ground in enough depth to make me care and fly through the pages to see what happened next. I also really liked Sophia. My one little issue was that the story was missing a tiny bit of the ending. We get some ideas, but don’t find out exactly how they end up addressing the villain. It wouldn’t have been an issue if she didn’t make me care so much about the characters! I’ll just assume my own happy ending - until I get lucky and the author writes a sequel!

Review of Caught in Heat by Miranda Stowe

Title: Caught in Heat (Half-breed Shifters, Book 1)
Author: Miranda Stowe
Source: Requested Review
Genre: Paranormal Erotica - Shifters
Format: ebook
Release Date: 5/20/2011
Author's Website

Fearful of how she’ll react during her first mating heat, Riley Bane flees toward a sanctuary, hoping to arrive before her fever hits. But she’s caught in an animal trap set by hunter Shaw Griffin, and her fever begins, consuming her with lust.

Determined to wipe out the entire shape shifting race after a wolf pack murdered his family, Shaw snares his first shifter, only to capture Riley begging him to fulfill every wicked desire pounding through her. As things turn hot and heavy, the scent of their mating attracts nearby shifters and soon brings Shaw’s monstrous past to their doorstep.

Rating

Sexual Rating

My Review

If you are looking for an extremely erotic shifter story, this is it. I enjoyed the suspense of the story and was anxious to see what would happen next. The sexual scenes were written very well. There wasn’t a lot of character development or dialogue outside of sex. There was also a very violent scene involving the graphic description of the murder of a child. I personally don’t care for any children in erotica, and I certainly don’t want to see them murdered. You could skip this scene and still enjoy the rest of the story.

Review of Murder Mi Amore (Jewels of the Night)

Title: Murder Mi Amore (Jewels of the Night)
Author: Cara Marsi
Source: Requested Review
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Format: ebook - 140 pages
Release Date: 12/14/2010
Author's Website

Lexie Cortese is in Rome to forget. The last thing she expects is to meet a sexy Interpol agent who suspects her of being part of a terrorist plot involving a stolen diamond. Suddenly thrust into a world of murders, muggings, and kidnappings, Lexie doesn’t know what to think—or who to believe.

Dominic Brioni’s assignment is simple. Befriend the American and bring her to justice. Only Lexie seems like the most unlikely terrorist Dominic has ever met. Sweet, determined, and direct, she faces life with courage and fire, a fire that sparks his protective instincts and a longing for something more—something he allowed himself to hope for only once before.

But that woman betrayed him, and his boss isn’t about to let him forget it. With his career on the line and Lexie in danger, will Dominic learn to trust his heart before they both get killed?




My Rating

Sexual Rating

I really enjoyed this fast moving, exciting romantic suspense story. I thought the chemistry between Dominic and Lexie was believable and sweet. The plot was interesting, and I wasn’t exactly sure what was going to happen next. If I were to list everything that happened to this girl, it would seem over the top. However, while I was reading it, I didn’t feel that way. I also liked the way Lexie kept questioning how ridiculous the events were getting. I thought the author did a great job giving us enough insight into their personalities to make us care about both of the characters. She also described the scenery and atmosphere in Italy with just the right amount of details. I love short stories, and this was a very well written one.

REVIEW OF FOR LOVE OF AN ANGEL (#1 IN THE FALLEN WARRIORS SERIES)

Title: For Love of an Angel
Author: Rosalie Lario
Source: Requested Review
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Format: ebook
Release Date: 5/8/11
Author's Website


In a world where angels rule over humans, twelve outcasts dare to defy expectation, warring with their angel brethren to prevent the extinction of humankind.They are The Fallen... Michael is one of twelve angels who have been outcast due to their determination to protect humans. In order to preserve his immortality and strength, he must find a mate with angel blood. Eva Smyth has never believed the propaganda spouted by the Consortium-the elite system of guards put into place once angels took over reign of Earth-but she never expected to learn the angels plan to eradicate all of humankind, or that she herself is part angel. Joining Michael means living a life on the run, at war against the angels and hunted by the Consortium. Eva must decide whether to risk it all...for love of an angel.

Rating

Sexual

My Review

I loved this story. It moved quickly, and I was excited to see what was going to happen next. I loved the premise of fallen angels trying to save the world. I thought the idea that the humans were just being used for their labor and were assigned to jobs and homes was interesting. I loved the hero, Michael. He was strong, courageous, very honorable and based on the cover, smoking hot! I also really liked Eva and enjoyed watching her try to make up her mind about what to do. I thought her actions, thoughts, and decisions were pretty realistic making the story that much more enjoyable. Great dialogue, perfect amount of time dedicated to details, and great teaser introductions to the other angels. I loved the world she built and can't wait to read all of the stories in the series!

ARC Review of Dream Lover: Paranormal Tales of Erotic Romance

Title: Dream Lover: Paranormal Tales of Erotic Romance
Author: Megan Hart, Kristina Wright (Editor)
Source: Requested Review
Genre: Paranormal Erotic
Format: ebook - 236 pages
Release Date: May 1, 2011

Supernaturally sensual and captivating, Dream Lover is a feast of fanciful delights. Kristina Wright, editor of the popular Fairy Tale Lust, presents a potent potion of fun and sexy tales filled with male fairies and clairvoyant scientists, as well as darkly erotica tales of ghosts, shapeshifters, and possession. Dream Lover asks the reader to explore the realm of the otherworldly and answer the question . . . who is your dream lover?

Rating
Sexual Rating

My Review
This is a huge collection of very short but very steamy and romantic love stories with a paranormal twist. I was going to highlight my favorites, but the list was too long! There isn't a story in here that I wouldn't give at least 4 howls to, but almost all of them really deserve 5. They all succeeded on some level whether it was the unique storyline, the interesting characters, the ability to draw out strong emotions so quickly, or the flow of the words. I found some of the stories so amazingly unique, and I can't help but wonder how these authors come up with these ideas. It was just very impressive. Although each story was unique, they all fit together wonderfully in this anthology. The foreword by Megan Hart was very sensual and was a brilliant start to this collection. I'm so glad I read this and found a whole new list of authors that I will now search out. This book is definitely a keeper!!

Review of Secrets Volume 29

Title: Secrets Volume 29
Authors: Nathalie Gray, Nicole North, Dominique Sinclair, Saskia Walker
Source: NetGalley
Genre: Romance – Sci-Fi, Suspense, Paranormal, Contemporary
Format: ebook - 365 pages
Release Date: 7/25/10


My Review