Top Bite Award Review and Giveaway: Guardian's Faith by Jacqueline Rhoades

Title: Guardian's Faith (Guardians of the Race, #4)
Author: Jacqueline Rhoades
Source: Author
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Length: Novel
Reviewer: CaroleDee

Physically and emotionally damaged by the horrors of her past, no one is more surprised than meek and silent Faith Parsons when she feels compelled to stow away in the van of the taciturn Liege Lord, Lucien ad Toussaint and travel to his House of Guardians in the faraway Southwest. She’s even more surprised when some of the local women see her as the one who will heal the 160 year old wounds that are destroying their way of life.

Lucien, too, is haunted by his past. He has withdrawn from the world around him and lives a reclusive and duty-bound life. He never expected that a tiny Daughter of Man could open the doors to a heart he’s kept closed for so long.

As the attraction between Faith and Lucien grows, the events of both their pasts begin to replay in the present.

Must history repeat itself or can their future be changed?

Guardian's Faith was a great addition to an already awesome series! Rhoades took it up a notch with the introduction of a new setting, some mysterious villagers, AND a surprising appearance from a previous foe. *I can't wait to see where that story goes in the future!*

I worried that Faith's abusive past would be a bit hard to read, but the way it was described was perfect; Enough detail to make you realize the horrors that she endured, but not enough to make you squeamish. While Lucien's past wasn't as bad as Faith's he still had some tough issues to get past. Together they, really did, make the perfect couple; capable of drawing on each others strengths, and boosting one another from their weaknesses.

There is also a new kind of villain in this one. The demons still make themselves a nuisance but the true nature of what happens when a Paenitentian is turned vampire rears it's ugly head. It's a far cry from sweet Uncle Otto.

The action and mystery is balanced extremely well with the romance. Just enough of each to spice things up :)

So, I highly recommend this one. I think everyone knows that I love Jacqueline Rhoades' books and Guardian's Faith just add to an already impressive list of fantastic reads.

Want to see what's got me so excited? Sign up for your chance to win an e-copy of Guardian's Faith!

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For an excerpt check out my Guardian's Faith release day post HERE

And be sure to see what Jacqueline had to say about Faith in her guest post from earlier in the week HERE!

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Epic review for an Epic book! Last Hour of Gann by R. Lee Smith

Last Hour of Gann

Author: R. Lee Smith
Source: Self purchase
Genre: Sci-Fi Romance/adventure
Length: Frickin' long (600+ pages)
Reviewer:  CaroleDee







Amber Bierce had nothing left except her sister and two tickets on Earth’s first colony-ship. She entered her Sleeper with a five-year contract and the promise of a better life, but awakened in wreckage on an unknown world. For the survivors, there is no rescue, no way home and no hope until they are found by Meoraq—a holy warrior more deadly than any hungering beast on this hostile new world…but whose eyes show a different sort of hunger when he looks at her.

It was his last year of freedom:

Uyane Meoraq is a Sword of Sheul, God’s own instrument of judgment, victor of hundreds of trials, with a conqueror’s rights over all men. Or at least he was until his father’s death. Now, without divine intervention, he will be forced to assume stewardship over House Uyane and lose the life he has always known. At the legendary temple of Xi’Matezh, Meoraq hopes to find the deliverance he seeks, but the humans he encounters on his pilgrimage may prove too great a test even for him…especially the one called Amber, behind whose monstrous appearance burns a woman’s heart unlike any he has ever known.

From R. Lee Smith, author of Heat and Cottonwood, comes an epic new story of desire, darkness and the dawn that comes after The Last Hour of Gann.

WARNING: This book contains graphic violence, strong sexual content and explicit language. It is intended for mature readers only.

 

So, I've been in a some-what hiatus, but had to drag myself out for this one.

The Last Hour of Gann caught my attention while I was waiting for the newest Tracy St. John book to release. I thought, 'Well, I'm waiting for a sci-fi romance, so I'll pick this one up to pass the time.' Little did I know that my random book buy was going to take me on one of the most thought provoking, odd, and memorable rides of my life. EVER.

It's future earth and the population is out of control. After her mother's death Amber and her sister are being evicted from their home. Their resources and choices are limited.
They can:
1. Prostitute themselves
2. Sign up for the country's welfare system, where they'll work for menial wages and be housed in dorms with 100's of other women.
3. Be part of the first voyage to a new planet to colonize.

Amber makes, what she thinks is the best choice, and signs her sister and herself up to be pilgrims to a new world. Unfortunately, things don't go as planned and the ship crashes on an unknown planet. (Thus starts the 'human' story in this saga)

Uyane Meoraq is a certified bad-ass ordained by God. (No joke. The guy gets to kill people based what he feels is 'god's word') The whole planet are religious to the point of being zealots. It hasn't always been that way. There are ruins of cities and towns much like the Earth that Amber and her fellow humans left. An unknown amount of years ago the sin and debauchery of his people brought on the 'Wrath of God'  heralding in the Hour of Gann. After seeing a great fire in the distance Meoraq sets out on a pilgrimage to the holiest of cities. (where he's been told he will actually get to speak to God in the flesh)
Along the way he meets up with Amber and the other human survivors. When he sees the strange, flat face, hair covered beings he decides it's God's will that he take them along on his pilgrimage.
It's a long, and arduous journey that the modern day humans are NOT prepared for. Lack of food, stress, disease, and *really evil* raiders are  a few of the things they encounter along the way.

That's where I'm going to end my summary. Honest truth? That's not even a 10% of what happens in this book.

So where do I start on my actual review?
I LOVED this book. It's been a week since I finished. I wasn't going to write a review, BUT The Last Hour of Gann dug it's way into my subconscious. I just kept thinking about it. If a book can resonate with me like that I feel like it needs to be talked about.

It's not an easy book to read. There are far more unhappy moments than there are happy. (I do want to say right now that there IS a HEA! So don't be afraid!)  BUT getting to it? WOW!

Let's start with the humans:
UGH, Amber couldn't have been stuck with a weaker, more annoying, and conniving lot. She and Meoraq worked their butts off for them, but they never showed a smidgen of gratitude. The best I can figure is that it is a representation of the extreme entitlement that everyone seems to have acquired over the years.

Amber and Meuraq's relationship:  It's VERY slow to build. And heck, it should be. They're alien to each other, literally. Neither one finds the other attractive. But there is a spark that slowly builds. When it finally culminates you can tell it's actually love. Not lust. And it's a beautiful thing.

The setting: Fairly early on I started to realize that the planet used to be much like earth. The cities are almost identical with their towering structures and robots . After the Wrath of God, it's forbidden to live in the cities or to use the machinery, but they are still there. Ghost towns (today) are creepy enough, but imagine that on a city scale with half-functioning robots roaming around. Very scary

The raiders: I'm not going to throw punches. These guys are EVIL! They work outside of the word of God. They rape, kidnap, and murder. This book is realistic. The main characters are not shielded from these evils. It can be hard to read, but is necessary to the story.

The end: I'm not going to spoil anything, but once again I want to point out that there is a bitter-sweet HEA. I don't think it could have ended any better than what the author gave me. I was on pins and needles for the entire book to find out what the holy city and the 'meet up' with God was going to be like. It was just as amazing! Definitely not something I will forget for a long time.

So, obviously, I loved this book. While thinking of writing this review, though I started to have doubts if everyone would share my optimism. I'm going to sum up my thoughts easily enough so you can make the choice:

Pros:
Fantastic world building

Wonderfully written characters. Whether you love them or hate them you will feel something for these people.

Thought provoking plot. (No way you'll walk away from this without questioning our way of life)

Great romance

Realistic circumstances (It's a hard world and that's not hidden)


Here are the cons that I think might turn some people away :

Length: This book is LOOONG. I read fast. I usually devour a 350 page book in a day. The Last Hour of Gann took me four days to read.

Content: Scenes of rape and violence.
And, obviously, there is different species sex going on. While similarly built there are differences that may be a bit shocking to some.

Religion: There are many questions and answers about religion in this book. Let me clarify it is not 'preachy', but it is there and a very large part of the story.


The best summary I can think of is that this is a very heavy book. Metaphorically and literally (if I had this sucker in hard back it would probably be big enough to knock someone out with. lol)
This isn't a 'light beach read'.
It does not fall in the erotic 'mars needs women' troupe.
I can honestly say The Last Hour of Gann stands by itself.
I've never read anything like it and I doubt I will again for a long time.
Simply put: It was absolutely wonderful.

Review: UNCOMMON PASSION (Uncommon #2) by Anne Calhoun

UNCOMMON PASSION (Uncommon #2) 

Author: Anne-Calhoun

Genre:  Erotic Romance

Length:  Novel, 312 pages

Source:  My Private Stash

Reviewer:  Artemis

After leaving a restrictive religious community, Rachel Hill is on a mission to divest herself of her virginity. Newly independent and struggling to establish herself, she’s not looking for anything complicated. She bids on sexy SWAT officer Ben Harris at a bachelor auction, confident he’ll give her the night of her life and nothing more.

But Ben is jaded and detached, living his life in an endless cycle of danger-fueled adrenaline jags, drinking, and sex. When he misses the fact that his bachelor auction hookup is a virgin, he’s shocked by his obliviousness, and by the risk she took. To make amends, Ben offers Rachel all he can: a no-strings-attached sexual education.

Ben’s lessons introduce Rachel to down and dirty passion, but she’s searching for something more profound than sex, and she’s willing to walk away to find it. Ben can’t get Rachel out of his head, but will he come to terms with his troubled past and learn to love?

ARC reivew First Bite by Dani Harper

Title: First Bite (Dark Wolf #1)
Author: Dani Harper
Source: Author Request 
Genre: Paranormal Romance- (shifer) Changeling 
Length: Novel Trade back  
Reviewed by: Laurie

 Geneva “Neva” Ross doesn’t want to die. But now that she’s been turned into a werewolf against her will, she’ll do anything to protect her family and friends…even if that means taking her own life.

After witnessing Neva’s leap from a high ledge, Travis Williamson—a Changeling with a dark past—uses his powers to save her life. He feels a connection to the strong-willed woman whose eyes flash that familiar Changeling green. While Neva is hospitalized, Travis risks everything to kidnap her, knowing the approaching full moon will put everyone in jeopardy.

Bickering constantly to hide their growing attraction, Travis and Neva run from the authorities…and from Neva’s sinister sire, Meredith de la Ronde. Meredith delights in creating new shape-shifters and compelling them to do her dark bidding; now Neva must join Meredith’s murderous wolf pack…or die.

Intensely suspenseful with deliciously sexy twists, this paranormal romance—the first in (the title of series)—intertwines sensual passion with an epic, thrilling battle between good and evil.

Dani has an awesome start to a new romance series and I believe this is her best book yet. I loved all of the characters, heck even the villain is awesome at being a true villain. This is a true example of keeping the right balance of romance, story and sex. Dani didn’t go overboard on either one.

Neva is having nothing to do with being a werewolf so she sets out to do something about it by killing herself. Neva has a very good reason to do this and to be whining about the whole ordeal, heck even I would have been crying the blues if I was her shoes. It's not everyday someone close to you want's you dead or controlling you and when I mean controlling I mean you would have to kill others under their command. Look at it this way, someone has just change your life forever and changed it into something that is a killing machine, wouldn't you cry about it for a bit before you suddenly take control because you see it's the only hope you have? I know I would, but I guess not everyone is like me. They think life is grand and they embrace everything bad that comes there way, with no whining. Whatever. As a paranormal romance reviewer I myself love the emotional roller-coaster the author took us on with Nava. I loved reading her denial and her embarrassing her fate.

Neva takes her time to warm up to the Changeling ways but she has some excellent help with hot Travis by her side,that is when she’s not ditching him.LOL. Once she finds out what she really wants in life she'll stop at nothing to get Travis back, even if it means coming face to face with the danger she so much wanted to kill herself to keep away form. Travis isn’t a week hero he will risk his life to keep Neva safe from the evil that is after her, but he also knows when to back off and let someone else take lead. Together they both find love and danger in every corner.

There are a few secondary characters introduced and I hope to read about them in the future. If you love paranormal romance this is one book not to be missed.

Please spay and neuter your pets.

http://www.humanesociety.org/issues/pet_overpopulation/

Review for Lady X by Claudy Conn

Title: Lady X

 Author: Claudy Conn

Source: Author request

Genre: Time travel paranormal romance 

Length: Novel

Reviewed by Laurie

Exerilla is a white witch.

Her father is a dark and dangerous warlock with an agenda to marry her to someone she despises. He has the power to do this before she reaches her majority, which will occur at Samhain, Halloween. 

Her mother has a plan and against her daughter’s will, implements that plan, which sends Exerilla into the past, where she must remain until October 31st—months away. And magic is something she can’t use because her father could trace it to her.

Here is the problem, plans have a way of seeping from black and white into gray

I Love Claudy’s paranormal romances, they are always fresh and exciting to read. Lady X is a time travel paranormal romance that is very realistic. What I loved most was the way she ended the story. You come to a point where you’re thinking, there is no freaking way she is going to be able to pull this all together and clean up all of these loose ends, but she does and it suits the whole book. 

Exerilla (X) and Lord Hunter MacTorry, romance doesn’t start with sparks right off the bat but once they start flying its nonstop, until one of them Exerilla is left making a hard choice, that will leave one left behind in time desperately trying to find the other. 

I loved both X and Lord Hunters characters, they are both strong and are willing to do anything for the ones they love. 

I recommend this book for readers who love any of these paranormal, time travel and historical romances.

Author Links:

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Top Bite Review: Snake in the Grass by Staci Hart

Title: Snake in the Grass (Good Gods #2)
Author: Staci Hart
Source: Author Request
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Length: Novel
Release Date: July 30, 2013
Reviewer: Jasmyn

It's Round Two of high stakes Love Connection on Olympus, and this time, everything has changed.  For Aphrodite, at least.

Ares is on deck, and Aphrodite is nervous.  As much as she loves to hook up with him, she doesn't trust him as far as she could throw him, which isn't very far.  He's a big dude.  They haven't been together in a very long time, but she can't resist him.  She never could.  Even when every part of her screamed that he was a liar.

Ares has a plan to keep Aphrodite, for good this time.  He wants to win the game, but he'll hold back to get what he wants.  He's sitting on a chance that he's been waiting thousands of years for, and he'll do what he has to do to convince her to stay forever.

The only thing that could stop him is the secret he's been keeping from her for eons.  If she finds out, it will destroy everything.

Kat and Dillon have been through a lot, and everything has been to protect their younger siblings.  They have sacrificed everything to make sure their brother and sister are safe.  The players are tough and loway.  Fierce and determined.  But they become each other's weakness, even though they fight it, and even though it means danger for Kat and her sister.

If Aphrodite can get the players over their egos and issues long enough to see that they're meant for each other, the competition will be a piece of cake.  One that she'll eat a la mode, right in front of Ares, if she beats him.

This is the second book in the Good Gods series by Staci Hart - I highly recommend reading the first book, Deer in Headlights (also a top bite) first - you can find my review HERE.

After winning round one of her challenge, Aphrodite is all set for round two - even if it is against Ares, her "I love you- I hate you" friend.  This time Ares has chosen his player well, and Aphrodite is a little worried at first - until she realizes the siblings are a love match as well.  What could be better than beating Ares with a two-for-one!  Ares isn't sure how he wants to play this round.  On one hand, the god of war can't stand being defeated.  On the other, he would do anything to make Aphrodite his forever - even throw the game by not using his most valuable card.

Meanwhile, back on earth, the players of this great game are set for action.  Kat and Dillon are two of the most angry characters I've ever seen - and they're perfect for each other.  But only if they can cool their tempers long enough to say a civil word to each other.  Kat hates men - especially after what happened with her sister's, Kiki, ex-boyfriend (cant give too much away here).  She is determined to keep her sister, and herself, man-free for as long as she can.  Moving over to Dillon and Owen - Dillon has been his brother's protector for as long as he can remember.  Dillon knows that his uncontrollable temper means no love life for him - and he's determined to keep Owen from being hurt by falling for the wrong girl as well.  Both sets siblings are a study opposites that was very comical at times.  I love Staci Hart's sense of humor when it comes to writing about her humans.

Back in the realm of the gods - Aphrodite is starting to unravel an ancient mystery that involves Ares and Apollo, and she's not liking the way it looks.  While she struggles to find a happily ever after for all her players, she realizes she may have just lost hers.  The mythology was spot on again, and helped to tie the complicated lives of the gods together in a wonderful ball of tangled yarn.  As Aphrodite tries to untangel part of her thread, she may be distracted just enough not to notice the danger her players are about to encounter - danger that could not only cost Aphrodite the game, but the humans their lives.

Another amazing book by Staci Hart.  I very rarely love sophomore books in a series as much as I liked the first book - this is one of the very few exceptions.  It was the perfect follow-up and I really want to see what happens in round 3.

Review: The Heiress Effect by Courtney Milan

Title: The Heiress Effect (Brothers Sinister, #2)
Author: Courtney Milan
Source: Netgalley
Genre: Historical Romance
Length: Novel (365pgs)
Reviewer: CaroleDee

Miss Jane Fairfield can’t do anything right. When she’s in company, she always says the wrong thing—and rather too much of it. No matter how costly they are, her gowns fall on the unfortunate side of fashion. Even her immense dowry can’t save her from being an object of derision.

And that’s precisely what she wants. She’ll do anything, even risk humiliation, if it means she can stay unmarried and keep her sister safe.

Mr. Oliver Marshall has to do everything right. He’s the bastard son of a duke, raised in humble circumstances—and he intends to give voice and power to the common people. If he makes one false step, he’ll never get the chance to accomplish anything. He doesn’t need to come to the rescue of the wrong woman. He certainly doesn’t need to fall in love with her. But there’s something about the lovely, courageous Jane that he can’t resist…even though it could mean the ruin of them both.

I'm really not sure where to start with this is one. I've sat on this review for a week. Every time I attempted to write it I came off sounding like a huge, raving, fan-girl. I tried, and tried to write something mature. Something that would eloquently convey my absolute, and utter love of the The Heiress Effect. I'm sorry to say that my mind is blown and, apparently, with it my maturity. lol. So here it goes:  I LOVED THIS BOOK.

Jane is a walking disaster. She marches to the beat of her own drum, and in the world of the ton being different just isn't done. From her outrageous wardrobe to her, seemingly, insensitive remarks she's a social pariah. Fortunately she's got a huge dowry. So while, she's mercilessly ridiculed behind her back she's still invited to events. Her crazy way of doing things may seem like social suicide, but Jane likes it that way. You see; in a little over a year she will get access to her dowry, which will afford her the funds to save her sister from her well meaning, but idiotic uncle's care. Only catch? She needs to chase away all potential suiters. Fortune hunters run amoke in the ton and she thinks playing up her naturally eccentric behavior will keep them at bay. Luckily for her it's working, but also making her enemies along the way.

Oliver Marshall, being the bastard of a duke, has lived his adult life striving to fit in. All he wants is to be accepted and successful. He gets his opportunity for total acceptance, but it comes at a price. A particularly nasty enemy that Jane has made offers Oliver all of his ambitions on a silver platter. The only problem? He has to risk his morality for success.

The romance of Jane and Oliver was fantastic. They're so alike, yet have taken such dramatically different choices on how to deal with their lives. 

There are also two side stories flowing through this book that I loved as well. You get wonderful 'forbidden' love story, and a heartbreaking look at Oliver's aunt Freddy's experience will agoraphobia. Maybe it's from personal experience, but I was bawling like a baby over Oliver's aunt.

The Heiress Effect encapsulated everything that I love about romance stories. I can honestly say it is the best book I've read this year. While I got an ARC copy from netgalley, I have already ordered my paperback from amazon, because I know I'm going to be re-reading this one for years to come!

Review: Fifty Shades of Alice Through the Looking Glass by Melinda DuChamp

Title: Fifty Shades of Alice Through the Looking Glass (Fifty Shades of Alice Trilogy #2)
Author: Melissa DuChamp
Source: Self Purchased
Genre: Erotic Paranormal Romance
Length: Novella
Release Date: August 17, 2012
Reviewer: Jasmyn

FIFTY SHADES OF ALICE IN WONDERLAND WAS JUST THE BEGINNING...
Eighteen year old Alice recently had an unprecedented erotic experience.  But her adventures have only just begun to heat up.

NOW SHE MUST TRAVEL THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS...
After breaking up with her boyfriend, Lewis, Alice enters a strange fantasy world where every pleasure - no matter how kinky - is indulged.

INTO TOTAL ECSTASY!! WITH TWO EXCLAMATION POINTS!!
Alice is subjected to amorous escapades beyond her wildest dreams, and taken to the very limit of her sexual endurance.

During her carnal encounters with all manner of men and woman, she is teased to tears by a bondage master, thoroughly used in a three way, enlightened to the sensual joys of a female touch, taken to a sex shop to test different erotic toys, given several special piercings, and is dragged to the HDO where she must fight the frumious Jabbercocky to save all of Looking Glass Land.  And you know what we mean by "fight"...

This is for those with dark desires, who wish to explore erotic excess beyond the plain vanilla of everyday life.  Follow Alice through the looking glass, if you dare...

Some may argue that this is not a romance.  I would argue very differently.  There is a heroine and a hero (even if we don't see a whole lot of him). The couple must overcome an obstacle in order to be together (Alice's closed-mindedness).  And of course there must be a HEA - and is there ever!! 

Alice's adventure begins with her favorite white rabbit again and she is instantly thrust into a new and exciting world.  The book (which is quite glad to be an ebook instead of a regular book you might trip over if it happened to be lying on the floor) is filled with wonderful puns and even occasionally makes a joke at its own expense.  Yes, the book knows it's a book.  The style of writing is priceless and so very much fun to read.  Alice must learn to be more open minded about people before she can become a Queen and return home.

We see a few of our favorite characters: Humpty Dumpty, Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum, and a very unusual version of the Jabberwocky - all presented with their own very unique twist.  If you haven't read this series, I would definitely tell you to add it to your "must read" list.  The only downfall is there was supposed to be a third book that has not yet been released.

Mistress Of The Stone by Maria Zannini

Title: Mistress Of The Stone 

Author: Maria Zannini 

Source: Author request 

Genre: Historical PNR

Length: Novel
Reviewed by Laurie
Print release date is July 2, 2013.

She was ready for his steel, but not for his flesh.

Luísa Tavares has a list of sins the length of the Antilles, but there’s no time to repent for them now. When a pockmarked Frenchman hands her Papa’s ring—still attached to his severed finger—she orders the Coral back to the Caribbean, despite her father’s earlier warning never to return.

It’s Luísa’s luckless fate that the only man who can help her is a blasted Inglés pirate hunter who’s more dead than alive and locked in a curse he doesn’t want lifted. Worse, his feral sensuality sparks a hunger she can’t ignore.

Xander Daltry hadn’t planned on kidnapping this wild woman—or succumbing to his uncontrollable desire for her. But he needs Luísa and the moonstone she wears around her neck to rescind a witch’s spell. His sister, long dead, and others like her have been cursed to remain in the mortal plane for eternity. Only the stone can set them free.

The only way to convince the reluctant pirate queen to help him is to withhold one small bit of the truth. For if she learns who really betrayed her father, the longing in her fiery eyes could easily turn to murderous wrath…

Product Warnings

Contains a pirate queen with a sacred gem, a werewolf with an agenda, an island where nothing is as it seems, and a hero with a Jolly Roger that’ll make you purr like a kitten.

Review Desires of a Dark Lord by Jae Lynne Davies

Title: Desires of a Dark Lord 

Author: Jae Lynne Davies 

Source: Author request 

Genre: Erotic PNR romance 

Length: Novella 

Reviewed by: Laurie

Ordered to claim the soul of a particular human woman, rare incubus demon, Ronan accepts the challenge with the promise of power and freedom.

He meets his target—curvaceous attorney, Ginevra Gimes and vows to deliver her every desire so long as she promises her soul in return. But when the two connect on a level neither one expects, Ginevra and Ronan succumb to mutual passion.

While an undeniable bond exists between them, can he surrender her to another or will he risk eternal slavery to claim her for himself?

Review and Giveaway The Earl With the Dragon Tattoo by Teresa Wilde

Title: The Earl With the Dragon Tattoo
Author: Teresa Wilde
Source: Author
Genre: Regency Paranormal Romance
Length: Novel (256 pgs)
Reviewed by CaroleDee

Dark times have fallen over England. The war with France is taking its toll on the Calend, the hidden society of magic users devoted to keeping the country safe from magical and human threats.Maeve Llwyd has spent her life trying to escape her mother's scandalous reputation, teaching at a magical academy for young ladies, obeying every strict rule in the hopes of being accepted in the Calend world. When she receives a prophetic warning that a dark power is gathering the pieces of a weapon that has been lost for a thousand years to bring down never ending darkness on England, her every fear becomes reality—she is called on to sacrifice her reputation in order to gain the power she needs to fight, ensuring that she will lose her position at her beloved school and be rejected by the Calend. But nothing is more desperate than finding the ancient weapons before the enemy—a shadow druid who craves using them to bring England to its knees.

Constantine Armitage, Earl of Evengate, lives his life at the bottom of a bottle, punishing himself for the death of his cousin. But one dark night, he is thrown into Maeve's life. The lovely witch lives in a strange world of spells and threats, driven to protect those around her, even though they will never thank her for it, or even know. Though she resents his interference and rejects his aid, he wants nothing more than to help her, and if he kills himself in the process, so much the better...

Wow, what an absolutely fantastic read. You can always tell when I love a book because I'm at a loss for words. You would think it would be the other way around and I would be able to go on and on. It's just so hard when I liked something so much to try to get just the right words down! So, bare with me while I try to convey how much I loved The Earl With the Dragon Tattoo.

You get an entire magical world filled with witches, druids and other magical creatures right underneath, seemingly, normal London. The war in France has taken a lot of the witches away from the shores of England, but the safety of it's citizens still need to be upheld by someone. Leaving Maeve, the leader of a young coven of witches, to stop evil from trying to take over.  

Maeve is a strong female character made that way from a less than pristine lineage. The daughter of a promiscuous actress she's made it her goal to never fill the sullied shoes her mother left behind. Unfortunately, to gain more power she's told she must make a sacrifice, and it's one that just might throw her in the shoes that she never wanted to wear.

Constantine is a complex character. Since the death of his uncle and cousin he's lived as a shell of a man. Helping Maeve in her goals give him a purpose, but he still struggles to make more of his life. What starts as a clandestine meeting in Vauxhall gardens quickly turns into a relationship, but a very complicated one. 

Con and Maeve had me in a tailspin. One minute I would laugh about their mutual hard-headedness, and the next I just wanted to shake them and scream for them to just suck it and be happy together! And when two characters have me that invested, you know you have a winner ;)

For those of you looking for something more than a romance, know that The Earl also has a very action driven plot. The magic in this book is used, and not just as an interesting skill a few of the characters have. Just think of it as an Urban Fantasy set in Regency England, heavy on the romance. (Easy enough, right? LOL) 

I sincerely hope that Teresa Wilde makes this into the series. There were so many characters that I grew curious about and I can't wait to find out what their future hold! 

I loved this book so much that I want to get the word out. 

I'm offering a giveaway for a digital copy of The Earl With the Dragon Tattoo.  

*To be delivered through Amazon's Kindle or Barnes and Nobles Nook gift giving program*

a Rafflecopter giveaway

ARC Review: Lord of Wicked Intentions by Lorraine Heath

Lord of Wicked Intentions (The Lost Lords of Pembrook, #3)
Author: Lorraine Heath 
Source: Edelweiss
Genre: Historical Romance
Length: Novel (approx 384 pgs)
Release Date: April 30, 2013
Reviewed by CaroleDee

Lord Rafe Eason may be of noble blood, but survival taught him to rely only on himself and to love no one. Yet when he sets his eyes on Miss Evelyn Chambers, and earl's illegitimate daughter, he is determined to have her, if only as his mistress.

After her father's death, Evelyn Chambers never imagined she would be sold to the highest bidder, yet circumstances give her little choice except to accept the lord's indecent proposal. Rafe is wealthy, as well as ruthless. Yet his coldness belies deep passion and deeper secrets. If she must be his, Evelyn intends to lay bare everything the Lord of Pembrook is hiding. But dark discoveries threaten to destroy them both until unexpected love guides the last lost lord home.

Review: Being Amber by Sylvia Ryan

Title: Being Amber (New Atlanta, #1)
Author: Sylvia Ryan
Source: self purchase
Genre: Futuristic/Dystopian Erotic Romance
Length: Novel
Reviewed by: CaroleDee

Jaci Harmon was born a Sapphire, but after she’s summoned to receive her final designation, the testing reveals she carries a gene slated for eradication. Within a day, she’s sterilized and dumped in the Amber Zone, where the damaged are corralled away from the rest of New Atlanta. Scared and alone, Jaci would rather die than face her future as an Amber.

Born in the Amber Zone, Xander Dimos is a product of a lifetime spent under the oppression of the Repopulation Laws. Decades of suffering have taught the Ambers to make the zone a place where touch, sex, and unconditional acceptance ease the pain of their fate. Jaci has a lot to learn about her new home, and it’s Xanderís responsibility to guide her through the differences and the dangers safely.

With the simmering undercurrents of sexual chemistry growing between them, and in the midst of discovering the Gov’s true motives, Jaci and Xander must overcome his secret and accept their love as undeniable...even if the time allotted to share it is short.

Top Bite Award Review: Deer in Headlights by Staci Hart

Title: Deer in Headlights
Author: Staci Hart
Source: Author Request
Genre: Paranormal Romance/Contemporary Mythology
Length: Novella
Release Date: February 13, 2013
Reviewed by: Jasmyn

What do the Greek gods do when they're bored?  Because they're always bored so humans are the perfect players in their games.

Aphrodite owns love; she hasn't lost a competition on her turf in over three millennia.  Apollo is on a mission to win.  He's counting on it to finally get the one woman he's never been able to have.  The two gods will choose their human players, and if Aphrodite can't get them together before the clock runs out Apollo will get his way.  And Aphrodite couldn't have that.

Lex and Dean are perfect for each other, they just don't know it yet.  Dean is a perpetual bachelor, and a brooding, beautiful rock star.  Lex is always with a man, but she'll never fully give herself up.  Aphrodite has her work cut out for her, but if she can't make it work, no one can.

The gods have their own drama.  Apollo killed Aphrodite's mortal love - they've got beef that's been dragging on for thousands of years.  Ares, the douche bag, is forever trying to pick a fight, and trying to get Aphrodite into bed.  And Persephone, Aphrodite's best friend, is the one person who Aphrodite shares everything with.

Follow the gods as they fight, laugh, cry, lose love, gain power, and make a mess with humans.

ARC review Mated to the Devil by Eve Langlais

Title: Mated to the Devil 
Author: Eve Langlais 
Source: Author request
Genre: Paranormal romance 
Length: Novel 
Reviewed by Laurie 

Not all pleasures are a sin...

Mina wants to put her seduction by a golden-eyed devil behind her, but the birth of her son, Jacques, renders that impossible. She tries to forget the only man who ever roused her passion, but when she notices her son exhibiting strange behavior—and less-than-human characteristics—she must face her past and learn to trust, and love, again.

Howling drunk, the one thing Remy clearly remembers is seducing Mina. A pity he didn’t think to get her address, especially since he marks her as his mate. When she disappears, he’s got plenty of time to regret, but he doesn’t get a chance to atone until she comes back into his life with an unexpected surprise.

Thrust into the role of father, Remy works to bond with his son while gaining forgiveness. But will he get the chance to truly make Mina his mate before danger threatens their fragile happiness?