Moonbound Series by Camryn Rhys and Krystal Shannan - Series Spotlight

Title: The Werewolf Cowboy (Moonbound #1)

Author: Camryn Rhys and Shannan Krystal

There’s a new threat in town… and she’s sexier and more dangerous than this sheriff can handle.

Small town sheriff, Allan VonBrandt, would like nothing more than to focus only on his work and not on the leggy and irresistible brunette who won’t take no for an answer. But when fate steps in and his inner wolf won’t refuse the magick pull she has on him, Allan must confront his animalistic desires–whether he wants to or not.

Reyna DuBois has never met a man–or wolf–she can’t tame, but Allan just might be the stubborn exception to the rule. Refusing to give up, Reyna enlists the help of her inner wolf to seduce the ever-reluctant sheriff, promising this particular cowboy the ride of his life.

About Camryn Rhys:

Author of hot historical romance with paranormal elements and co-author of the Moonbound series--a spinoff of the VonBrandt Werewolves from Somewhere, TX.

Loves Florentines and lightbulbs. Writes about cowboys who cook and demons who captain airships and werewolves who save the world. Once met Queen Elizabeth. Can swallow a sword. Eats jalepenos by the handful. Former chef, turned writer. Currently living in Canada. Owns a falcon. Not all parts of this bio are equally true.

About Krystal Shannan

Krystal Shannan, also known as Emma Roman, lives in a sprawling ranch style home with her husband, daughter, and a pack of rescue Basset Hounds. She is an advocate for the American Society of Autism and shares the experiences and adventures she’s been through with her daughter whenever she can.

Needless to say, life is never boring when you have an elementary-aged special needs child and half a dozen 4-legged friends roaming the house. They keep her and her husband busy, smiling, and laughing.

Krystal writes magick and Emma doesn’t. If you are looking for leisurely-paced sweet romance, her books are probably not for you. However, for those looking for a story filled with adventure, passion, and just enough humor to make you laugh out loud. Welcome home!

Moonbound Series

The Werewolf Cowboy #1

The Werewolf Bodyguard #2

The Werewolf Ranger #3

Chasing a Wolf #4

Her Fierce Warrior by Paige Tyler ~ Review

Title: Her Fierce Warrior (X-Ops #4)
Author: Paige Tyler
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Length: 352 pages
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca
Release Date: March 1, 2016
Source: NetGalley
Rating: 3
Heat Rating: 3
Reviewed by: Jasmyn

The woman tensed. As anger and fear ricocheted across her face, her eyes changed from red to green to brown in a dizzying display like nothing he'd ever seen.

Every instinct in Angelo's body screamed at him to lunge for his weapon. Instead he set his feet for impact, blocking her slashing claws. Unbelievably, after a few moments of struggling, she went still, all the fight gone...

Minka isn't sure she should trust the sexy Special Forces soldier who found her. Subjected to horrors, on the run from scientists set on locking her in a cage, Minka is terrified of the monster she's becoming...and somehow, Angelo is the only one who can calm the beast inside her and make her feel safe.

But can she trust the way he makes her feel when she's not even sure she can trust herself?

Yes! Finally a lead in the hybrid case and who may (or may not) be behind it all. All thanks to Minka - a new hybrid that Angelo finds running for her life and terrified.  Another very exciting, but not in a non-stop action way like some of the books are, story with lots of great moments of every sort. The development of this overall story arc was the best part of this book for me. Finally moving forward with some good solid information was great.

Minka is super special - in a lot of ways. She's incredible smart and has a heart of gold. She is a bit of a delicate personality as well. Understandably terrified and confused about what has been done to her, she latches on to Angelo and doesn't let go (quite literally). He becomes her anchor, the one thing she needs to continue to be the person she knows she is.

We've met Angelo here and there in the past books as one of Landon's ex-teammates. He's a great guy, but sometimes there just didn't seem to be much to him. I'm finding a hard time thinking of something about him that really stood out from all the other heroes. Incredibly protective towards Minka, they do make a cute couple. They have some adorable moments that you will just have to smile at - you won't be able to help yourself.

*This book was received in exchange for an honest review*

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X-Ops Series

Her Secret Agent (X-Ops #0.5)
Her Perfect Mate (X-Ops #1)
Her Lone Wolf (X-Ops #2)
Her Wild Hero (X-Ops #3)
Her Special Alpha (X-Ops #3.5)

Her Wild Hero by Paige Tyler ~ Review

Title: Her Wild Hero (X-Ops #3)

Author: Paige Tyler
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Length: 352 pages
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablance
Release Date: May 5, 2015
Source: NetGalley
Rating: 4
Heat Rating: 3
Reviewed by: Jasmyn

Name: Kendra Carlsen
Rank: Trainer, Dept. of Covert Ops
Objective: Get out of the office and into the field

Name: Declan MacBride
Rank: Munitions Expert, Dept. of Covert Ops
Status: Bear Shifter
Objective: Protect Kendra at all costs

The steamy Costa Rican jungle brings out the bear in Declan MacBride when he and new operative Kendra Carlsen are ambushed. In the midst of relying on each other to survive, and fighting his explosive attraction to Kendra, this shifter is about to lose control...

Ohhh....deep in the jungle romance. Quite literally. I loved the set up for this book, jungle mission gone wrong, Kendra and Declan alone in the wilderness running and fighting for their lives. Very intense. There was so much action that a couple times the romance got a tad bit sidetracked - but there still quite a few very nice romantic touches and moments that Kendra and Declan experience as they run for their lives.

One of the things I've liked best about this series in general, is that the women can hold their own. They may not be the best at everything, but they have a strength and skill set that is an integral part to completing the mission. Kendra is a serious tough girl, which is a side that we don't get to see too much of before now. She's awesome!!! But, she isn't afraid of her softer side, and is one of my favorite characters so far in the series.

Declan is a big teddy bear - or so we think at first. But he when push comes to shove, we get to see some new sides to the big bear shifter. He's vulnerable, protective, and loving in ways that will melt your heart. I loved watching him start to open up to new ideas and new people. He makes an amazing hero.

The mystery of the hybrids continues and things keep getting more and more convoluted, but I'm hoping we get a few solid answers or leads in the next one.

*This book was received in exchange for an honest review*

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X-Ops Series

Her Secret Agent (X-Ops #0.5)
Her Perfect Mate (X-Ops #1)
Her Lone Wolf (X-Ops #2)

Her Lone Wolf by Paige Tyler ~ Review

Title: Her Lone Wolf (X-Ops #2)

Author: Paige Tyler
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Length: 352 pages
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablance
Release Date: November 4, 2014
Source: Self-Purchased
Rating: 3
Heat Rating: 3
Reviewed by: Jasmyn

Leaving him was Impossible…

It took everything she had for FBI Special Agent Danica Beckett to walk away from the man she loved. But if she wants to save his life, she has to keep her distance. Now, with a killer on the loose and the stakes higher than ever before, the Department of Covert Ops is forcing these former lovers into an uneasy alliance…whether they like it or not.

Seeing her again is even worse

The last thing Clayne Buchanan wants is to be shackled to the woman who broke his heart. She gets under his skin in a way no one ever has and makes him want things he has no right to anymore. All he has to do is suffer through this case and he can be free of her for good. But when Clayne finds out why Danica left in the first place, everything he’s tried to bury comes roaring back—and there’s no way this wolf shifter is going to take no for an answer this time.

First off, this did not pick up anything like I expected it to based on the ending of book one. But, don't disregard that ending - it's super important, just not quite yet it seems. Instead we get to see jerk-wad Clayne, the wolf shifter, be not such a jerk-wad. Now, don't expect to see his softer side - I really don't think he has one, but you will get to see him put in his place just a little by the woman he never stopped loving.

There are a ton of flashbacks in this story. Danica and Clayne have a history and the important parts are shared this way. There were a little too many for my taste - flashbacks pull me too far out of the story and I think they should be used more sparingly than they were in this book. But that was really the only downside to the story.

The chase is on for a serial killer shifter, and he is one crafty guy. He's highly intelligent and has managed to stay one step (or more) ahead of everyone for a very long time. Watching Clayne and Danica put the pieces together to figure out who he is and where he may turn up next was great. And of course it gave them plenty of time to find out the truth of their past and spend some "quality time" together. This bad guy will keep you on the edge of your seat - so be prepared. Every time I thought he was definitely caught - something happened and the whole game took off in a new direction.

We get to see Lily and Landon from the first book, too. And not just as quick cameo type roles, they are on their own chase as a result of the events in book one (you definitely want to read these in order) and even have a small part in helping out Clayne and Danica with a little issue they run in to.

While book two wasn't quite as good as the first book in my opinion. This is a series that I'm falling in love with!

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X-Ops Series

Her Secret Agent (X-Ops #0.5)
Her Perfect Mate (X-Ops #1)

Paranormal Romance Review: Ashes by Sarah Gilman

Title: Ashes
Author: Sarah Gilman
Source: Entangled Publishing
Genre: Paranormal Romance, Phoenix Shifter
Length: Novel
Release Date: December 30, 2013

Rating: 4 - Really liked it.  Don't pass it up.
Sexual: 2 flames - Kissing, cuddling. PG-13 rating

Journalist Ambrosia Pellerin accepts an assignment involving the legendary phoenix,
expecting, if nothing else, a little entertainment. Instead, she gets pregnant—by a surprisingly human-looking firebird, Reece Bennu.

Ambrosia and Reece struggle to make the best of their predicament, igniting a tentative romance despite Reece’s furious and powerful relatives who resent the mixed-blood child, a violent human out to prove the existence of phoenixes at any cost, and Ambrosia’s forced separation from her family and isolation in her new home.

Reece’s relatives plot murder while Ambrosia’s family faces a dire medical situation and ask her to return. Will the couple survive when Reece denies Ambrosia his trust and her freedom when she needs both more than anything?

 My Review:
I'm a complete sucker for the odd shifter types, and I've never run across a phoenix shifter before.  This book took the lore of the Phoenix and owned it, integrating it perfectly into a new shifter species.  The majority of this story covers the first couple months of Ambrosia's pregnancy and her coming to terms with the fact that she'll be having a phoenix baby.  There are a few good freak outs before being forced (in a good way) into believing.

Reece is a great guy - willing to step up and take responsibility for his new family, while protecting them from the prejudices of his old family.  The blurb really doesn't do the book justice at all.  There is plenty of action at the beginning, but it settles down into a very beautiful and emotional romance.  Perhaps Sarah Gilman could write another beautiful Phoenix story about Reece's sister.  She sounded like she needed a little love in her life.

Book Spotlight, Giveaway, and Review for: Someone Else's Skye (Men of Brahm Hill, Book One) By: Christine Wenrick

Title: Someone Else's Skye (Men of Brahm Hill, Book One) 

Author: Christine Wenrick

Source: Review Request

Genre: Paranormal Romance 

Length: 306 pages

Reviewed by: Emi 

One night . . . one violent, supernatural battle . . . and five stories of the men whose lives will be changed by it.

Kane, Brethren Guardian and one of the few Natural Shape-Shifters left in existence, survives the bloody battle of Brahm Hill but loses two of his closest friends. For all of his good-natured sarcasm and eye-popping good looks, Kane finds himself unable to completely forget about that night, so he seeks comfort in the one thing he is truly good at . . . sex! 

This shape-shifting bad boy believes in having a good time—a very good time, usually involving mingled heavy breathing with a sexy Dhampir in a tiny closet somewhere. But when Kane is sent into the freezing tundra of the Northwest Territories to investigate a troublesome supernatural being reported to be on the loose, he soon crosses paths with a woman who almost instantly drives him insane with desire . . . because she doesn't seem to be falling for his charms. 

It’s completely inexplicable.

Skye Matthews has a job to do, and she needs to be focused on that, not spending all her time rebuffing the advances of this way-too-cocky and handsome stranger. Yet, there is something irresistible about this self-involved playboy that she can’t seem to ignore. And when the 'Unidentified' Kane is sent to investigate takes an unnatural interest in Skye, protecting her becomes the Guardian’s top priority.

But . . . can he save Skye from a supernatural being no one has ever encountered before?

My Review: 

Someone Else's Skye is the first book in The Men of Brahm Hill series, but it is a follow up series to The Charmed Trilogy, which is another great series. I definitely recommend that you read that first so you can get better acquainted with the characters.  And trust me once you meet Kane, you'll be speed reading to get to his book, lol.  I liked all of the characters in The Charmed Trilogy, but once I was introduced to Kane, I couldn't wait to read his story. I have been looking forward to Someone Else's Skye, and it did NOT disappoint in the least. When I starting reading it, I just assumed it was going to be a good vs evil kind of thing, but I was so wrong. It had me turning the pages quickly to see what was going to happen next.  I was just like, Wow!! What an amazing read!

When Kane and his friend and fellow Guardian Aiden travel to another Brethren Location to help out with a mysterious being, he finds himself distracted by the most beautiful woman he has ever seen. He assumes that while he is working on finding out more about this new paranormal entity he could have some fun with Skye, but he has quite the challenge ahead of him. Skye Matthews recognizes Kane instantly from that night on the  battle field, but says nothing of it, and tries her best to ignore his advances and stay focused on her assignment. Eventually, like all determined men do, he chips away at her resolve and gets a little taste. 

Someone Else's Skye was a great read! I cannot wait to see who of The Brahm Hill men is next, though I have a hunch on who it may be. 

I hope you all enjoy it as much as I did. 

About the Author:

Christine is a graduate of Washington State University where she received a BA in Interior Design. And true to form of using mostly her ‘right brain’, she splits her time between her commercial design career and her imaginary world of writing. She lives in the scenic Pacific Northwest where she enjoys hiking, camping and photographing many of the wonderful places that served as inspiration for her Charmed Trilogy. Her biggest reward in life is any given day when one of her books connects with a reader because she herself is such a lover of reading. Some of her favorite authors include Lisa Kleypas, Julia Quinn, and Kimberly Derting.

To keep up on all the latest information about Christine and her books, visit her Website, or you can connect with her on Facebook, Twitter, and Goodreads.   

Links to purchase Someone Else’s Skye in eBook or Paperback:

Amazon 

Ibookstore(Paperback)
  

Barnes andNoble (Nook)
 

Smashwords(All Formats)
 

Christine Wenrick's Website   

TOUR GIVEAWAY DETAILS:

Christine is giving away the following prizes at the end of her tour:

Tour Grand Prize: Kindle Fire HD & (1) signed copy of Someone Else's Skye

 Secondary Prizes: (10) signed copies of Someone Else's Skye for (10) additional winners.

A Rafflecopter Giveaway

Christine Wenrick's SOMEONE ELSE'S SKYE Tour Schedule

9/30 - Crazy Four Books

http://crazyfourbooks.blogspot.com

9/30 -Just Paranormal Romance               

www.JustParanormalRomance.com

9/30 - Rather Barefoot than Bookless

http://ratherbarefoot.blogspot.se/

10/01 - Mythical Books 

http://mythicalbooks.blogspot.ro/

10/01 - Adria's Romance Reviews            

http://adriasromancereviews.blogspot.com/

10/02 - Penny For Them...           

http://pennyforthem1.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/Tour

10/02 - My Reading Obsession  

http://4myreadingobsession.blogspot.com/

10/03 - Redheads Review it Better          

http://redheadsreviewitbetter.com

10/03 - Deal Sharing Aunt            

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10/04 - Ramblings From This Chick           

http://ramblingsfromthischick.blogspot.com

10/04 - KT Book Reviews

http://ktbookreviews.blogspot.com/

10/05 - Toot's Book Review        

http://tootsbookreviews.blogspot.com

10/05 - The Snarkology

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10/06 - LITERAL ADDICTION        

http://www.literaladdiction.com

10/06 - Cocktails and Books        

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10-07 - The Reading Café             

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10/07 - Wicked Readings by Tawania      

http://wickedreadingsbytawania.blogspot.com

10/08 - Offbeat Vagabond          

http://offbeatvagabond.blogspot.com/

10/09 - Night Owl Reviews          

http://www.nightowlreviews.com/v5/Blog/Articles/Someone-Elses-Skye-by-Christine-Wenrickhttp://www.NightOwlReviews.com

10/09 - Mad Hatter Reads

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10/09 - Salacious Reads

www.salaciousreads.com

10/09 - Bex 'n' Books

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10/10 - Vampires, Werewolves & Fairies Oh My!              

http://vampireswerewolvesfairiesohmy.blogspot.com/

10/10 - A Novel Review

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10/11 - CS Maxwell ~ Where's My Muse?            

http://www.csmaxwell.blogspot.com

10/11 - Contagious Reads

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10/12 - Book Lovin' Mamas         

http://booklovinmamas.com

10/12 - Victoria's Gossip

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10/13 - Reader Girls       

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10/13 - Dalene's Book Reviews 

http://dalenesbookreviews.blogspot.com/

10/14 - A Cauldron of Books

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10/14 - Hesperia Loves Books

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10/15 - Paranormal Fans For Life

http://paranormalromancefanforlife.blogspot.com/

10/16 - That's What I'm Talking About

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10/17 - Bitten by Paranormal Romance

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10/17 - Book Monster Reviews

http://www.bookmonsterreviews.com/

10/18 - Swept Away by Romance

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10/18 - The Bookish Babe

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10/19 - Inner Goddess

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10/20 - Sarah Elizabeth's Bookshelf

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10/20 - Book Sniffers Anonymous

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Review: Lord Griffin's Prize by Katalina Leon

Title: Lord Griffin's Prize (Emerald Isle Fantasies)
Author: Katalina Leon
Source: Publisher Request
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Length: Novel
Release Date: July 10, 2013
Reviewer: Jasmyn

Tullamore Castle, Ireland, is an enchanted place where the unexpected happens.  Phantom lovers materialize in haunted bads and a lonely griffin patrols the ramparts, waiting to reclaim its mate.  And that's just the beginning.

For the adventure of a lifetime, Maeve de Burgo visits Tullamore to study genealogy.  Through a magggical act and time travel, she becomes embroiled in a dangerous medieval romance and the unfinished life of her ancenstor.  Maeve gets thrown back in time to be captured, ravished and cherished as a war chief's prize.

Ronan O'Griofa is a griffin shifter, the most loyal of creatures.  He's been trapped in limbo as the avenging guardian of Tullamore since 1332 and longs to be free.  When the soul of his wife returns to the castle, he's granted the privilege of becoming a man for one day to be her lover, win her heart and remind Maeve of a bond strong enough to last an eternity.

Part of the Emerald Isle Fantasies series.

Maeve is drawn to Catle Tullamore after a painful divorce - it seems the best place to get in touch with her history and move on from her disasterous relationship.  Tullamore is full of legends and myths, but the one that draws Maeve the most is the story of the griffin.  When strange things begin to happen she chalks it up to an overactive imagination at first, but soon the flashbacks to an ancient time become more and more real.  

These flashbacks were by far my favorite part of the story.  While they were not the main part of the story, the characters really came to life and overshadowed their modern counterparts.  Unfortunately, the  modern versions just didn't catch my interest as much as I had hoped.

The story itself was incredibly sweet and very romantic.  Ronan has been waiting for centuries for another chance, now he just has to earn it with the "new" Maeve.  He tries hard, but the sunset time limit is mentioned just a little too often, almost like the reader was expected to forget about it.  Ronan seemed a bit stagnant, while Maeve was very dynamic and adapting to all the crazy things happening around her.