Book Review: Kindred by Erica Stevens

Kindred is a paranormal novel bursting with emotional turmoil, spilling feelings all over the prose like the wet tears of Cassie, the protagonist.
From the first page I was held captive by a scene of unrest. We learn that events of the past have dictated a rather unsteady future for Cassie and her two best friends. Born vampire hunters with inherent gifts to equip them against the fanged miscreants intent on wiping out their race, they've come to accept their responsibilities. In the first few chapters this is made quite clear, a scene even detailing a face off between hunter and vampire - action at its best.
Then a stranger by the name of Devon moves to town, and suddenly Cassie is disarmed by his charm, the effect he has on her and the aloof manner that sets him apart from others. What is it about her that draws him near, and for that matter, why can't he seem to stay away from her?
Honestly, I had to take a step back and remind myself that not every book that starts with action and twisted secrets will continue on that path. This novel is clearly an exploration of romance and the conflicted emotions of two people at war with their own inner demons - the journey being how they overcome their differences.
I appreciated the author's dedication to honesty and the insatiable urge to describe every little caress, thought and expression crossing her character's faces. I never doubted the significance of each encounter or the feelings portrayed. What did annoy me was the constant repetition, paragraph after paragraph of the same conflicting emotions readdressed without resolve or reason for reminding the reader of its significance. I also found the prose heavily burdened with unnecessary adverbs; 'sighing softly', 'laughing lightly', 'frowning heavily' - just to name a few.
Apart from a few personal grievances, I did appreciate the simplicity of the story and the heightened sense of drama crafted in every page. I'll be rating Kindred three out of five fangs.

Synopsis:

What do you do when the one you love is also you worst enemy? Trapped in a destiny she does not want, Cassie finds herself lost and adrift, until he walks into her life, turning it upside down and awakening her in ways that she never dreamed possible. 
Cassie is stunned and devastated to learn that she belongs to a long line of vampire slayers known as The Hunters. A murderous rampage by a group of elder vampires has left the Hunter line decimated and the remaining Hunters scattered around the world. With her friends Chris and Melissa’s aid, Cassie struggles to rid the world of the monsters that murdered her parents. Though Cassie knows it is her fate, she chafes against her heritage, and is resentful of the shortened lifespan that has been placed upon her by the circumstances of birth. Struggling to get through every day, Cassie finds herself simply going through the motions of living. That is, until Devon arrives. Tall, dark, and mysterious his arrival turns the school, and Cassie’s life, upside down. Fighting against her fierce attraction to him, and the chaos he represents in her carefully ordered days, she is irresistibly drawn to him. Though worried that what she truly is will place Devon in danger, she is unable to fight her feelings for him. He is the one light, and the only source of hope she has in a world that revolves around death and fear. What she does not know is that Devon has some dark secrets of his own, secrets even more frightening and dangerous than hers. Secrets that threaten to tear them apart forever.

Book Review: The Mystic Wolves by Belinda Boring

The Mystic Wolves  is the first book in the aptly named Mystic Wolves series. It can be classified mostly as paranormal romance as there were enough heated gazes, sordid caresses and looks of longing to make you want to take a cold shower.
Interestingly enough this story has nothing to do with boy meets girl like so many other paranormal romances currently on the market. In fact, the Mystic Wolves are a well established pack, settled in a sleepy town and ruled by a charming and confident alpha known as Mason. Already tethered to his proposed mate, Darcy, it was refreshing to see an established relationship without the need for a lot of back story or those awkward "I'm attracted to you but can't tell you because I want to be ridiculously mysterious" moments. That is not to say that there wasn't a lot of self-doubt between the mated pair.
The novel begins with a tragic event, the death of a beloved pack mate that sets a range of events in motion. What was originally classed as a possible accident soon becomes clear to the alpha as something more. His pack and those that he loves are under threat and with a strong alliance with the local vampire king, Mason believes that he can protect Darcy from the same fate as his sister.
But can all the vampires be trusted? Are Mason and Darcy merely pawns in a game much bigger than are capable of playing?
Truthfully, I struggled with a few sections of this novel - mostly the sweet and sentimental alpha and the overly affectionate relationship he shares with Darcy. I'm all for a bit of sexual teasing but honestly, these two werewolves were at it constantly with absolutely zero follow through. I found that the sexual nature of their interaction was often inappropriate and unnecessary - a derailment from the importance of the actual story, especially after recent deaths and moments of intense despair.
What I did like was the sub-plot when it wasn't focused on Darcy and Mason's foreplay. I enjoyed the moments of action, the shape shifting and the conveyed emotions both in character speech and action. The last few chapters were compelling and an appropriate climax to an otherwise mostly sedate story. Imagery was sufficient and the lead into another novel was a hanging promise but not exactly stirring.
I will happily rate this novel two and half fangs out of five. It was enjoyable but it wasn't as gripping as I might have liked.

Synopsis:

What would you do if a simple errand takes a deadly twist, turning you from cautious prey to dangerous predator?
Someone is trying to send a deadly message to Mason, arranging the deaths of those he loves and it puts the entire pack and Alpha on high alert. Darcy understands the primal instincts driving her beloved Mason's commands. With the help of those he sets as protectors, she learns about herself and the things she'll need to help support her Alpha and pack. When events turn dire however, one truth offers her strength - once given, oaths are unbreakable ... even if it means risking it all.

Book Review: Become (Desolation #1) by Ali Cross

Do you want to know why I picked up this novel? Yes, the front cover is pretty enticing and yes it appears to have the makings of a great YA supernatural fiction based on the synopsis but what really pulled me in, believe it or not, was the author's short biography:

Ali Cross is the sensei of the Writer's Dojo where she holds a black belt in awesome. She lives in Utah with her kickin' husband, two sparring sons, one ninja cat, two sumo dogs and four zen turtles.

I decided to read Become because I thought to myself if the author is witty enough to bring a smile to my face before I even turn the first page, then I might as well take a peak beneath the cover and I'm glad that I did.

Become is a refreshing YA paranormal novel, holding all the makings of a great little series. Exploring the dark side through the cynical and emotionally crippled Desolation Black, we come to understand that being the daughter of the prince of darkness is no easy task. Couple her black blood with that of a great angelic warrior, and Desolation - Desi for short - isn't sure where she belongs.

Haunted by the destruction that her own touch brings, Desi refuses to see the light within her. She pushes aside friendships and endeavours to ever harden her heart, terrified that the roiling darkness within may one day break free, causing irreparable damage. The goal is to find balance, to accept both the good and evil within and choose a path befitting the burning ache of love that burns brightly at depths of her forgotten soul.

Become is a swift moving novel packed with plenty of action scenes and enough angst and desperation to leave the reader feeling rather solemn and somehow sympathetic. Desolation is riddled with turmoil and unexplored emotion, taking the reader on a journey through the darkness that leaves you clawing at the pages in an effort to rediscover the light.

Characters are consistent in their portrayal and often engage in dialogue that is purposeful in explaining the back story in further detail. Small highlights include the modern day referencing of angels and demons versus the Gods of mythology - Odin, Loki and of course the Valkyries. I was surprised to see how well the two were combined and enjoyed this fresh retelling with an aside story that left the ending quite the cliffhanger.

Well written and surprisingly poignant, I am happy to rate this book three and a half fangs out of five and will probably read the next installment.

Synopsis:

Sixteen-year old Desolation Black wants nothing more than to stay in Hell where it’s cold and lonely and totally predictable. Instead, she’s sent back to Earth where she must face the evil she despises and the good she always feared.
When Desi is forced to embrace her inner demon, she assumes her choice has been made—that she has no hope of being anything other than what her father, Lucifer, has created her to be. What she doesn’t count on, is finding a reason to change—something she’s never had before—a friend.

Book Review: Immortal Embrace by Charlotte Blackwell

I found this novel via Amazon, drawn by the simplicity of the cover art and the ever present pull of a synopsis surrounding the paranormal romance/horror persuasion. Immortal Embrace encompasses a bit of everything. In fact, the novel is dipping its toes in a lot of supernatural waters giving you vampires, romance and just a hint of witchcraft in the mix. It's just unfortunate that there is next to no action, a truck load of sickly sweet moments of sentimentality and the supernatural elements draw too many parallels between sitcoms and novels already on the market.
Immortal Embrace follows the musings of Sophia Pierce, a centuries old uptight teen enmeshed with a 'gifted' family of vampires determined to avoid drinking from the source and embracing the traditional, often brutal expectations of their race.
As the novel begins with tragedy,  I thought that perhaps it would remain somewhat dark and sinister, exploring the difficulties of quenching vampiric thirst in modern day America and balancing the need for acceptance and the unnatural call of their nature. I expected the characters to be wizened by their years, not prone to the titillation of high school cliches.
For me the novel engaged a different path, exchanging action and intrigue for inconsequential interludes involving a cringe-worthy use pet names and a cloying amount of stolen kisses. An interesting subplot unfurling the seedy underworld of generic vampires was also exchanged for the blandness of the boy meets girl scenario teamed with a short episode of "Charmed".
Overall, Immortal Embrace does have merit. The descriptive content is sufficient and the overall concept holds promise, but due to my own lack of enjoyment, I can only honestly rate this novel two out of five fangs. I wish the author every success and hope that the preceding novels within this series relinquish some sappiness in exchange for a bit of vampire grit.

Synopsis:

Sophia Pierce has suffered since her brother left, and is unsure if she will ever get over it. That is until her family decided to move to Wenham, Massachusetts. Her and her siblings have been ordered to protect their little sister, and must return to High school. This is where Sophia finds her soul mate Nathanial and life as she knows it is about to change.
As a vampire, Sophia has always kept to herself, but as a high school student will she learn to step out of her comfort zone a little? Sophia has found a best friend in a powerful witch and a love to call her own. That is until something tragic happens and blood is spilled. Will Sophia be able to resist the sweet scent of her beloved's blood?
This is Sophia's story, a story of a girl who finds herself, love and everlasting friendship. The excitement of this story wraps mortals, vampires, witches, and shape shifters all into a romantic tale of young love, friendship, the meaning of family. The story of a girl who tries to finds herself when she thought it was all lost.

Kristy :)

Book Review: The Dragron of Doughton Park by John Hundley

I was fortunate enough to be asked to review this book - the second in the Red Wolf series. The Dragon of Doughton Park is everything you expect in a follow up novel and just a little bit more. It's full of action, romance, angst and a bloody big twist at the end that just about made me throw my kindle at the wall.
That's the sign of a great novelist and good plot - the ability to create total immersion with characters and their antics.
The Dragon of Doughton Park pretty much picks up where the Draculata Nest left off (see review here). Following the protagonist Clifford Crane, a sixty year old werewolf with the body of a rock star and the courage of the cowardly lion - he is decent, kind and always serving the best interests of others, even if that means involving himself with undead girlfriends and a brewing Lycan war.
Clifford is once again forced to step up to the plate and fulfill a prophecy dictated by a dragon centuries previous while also uncovering his own path and purpose. Surprised by the respect and the admiration of his werewolf peers, Clifford soon begins to understand that destiny isn't the Chinese whispers of the past - it's the actions of the present and the faith he restores within his own abilities.
The Dragon of Doughton Park is riddled with action and enough romantic interludes to make your skin itch. The dialogue, as always, is carefully constructed and purposeful. Characterization is consistent as is the unfolding plot and various relationship turbulence. I especially enjoyed reading a novel from a man's perspective, and not necessarily the ridiculously dreamy variety found in other run-of-the-mill paranormal romances. Clifford is sixty years old, down to earth, realistically challenged by the preconceptions of others and damn sexy in his continuing reluctance to embrace his finer qualities.
Needless to say that once again the talented John Hundley has brought us a novel filled with danger, intrigue and enough plot thickeners to keep you guessing right to the very end. Teamed with the multiple character perspective and eloquent descriptive content - there is never a dull moment. I happily rate this novel four and a half fangs out five.

Synopsis:

Clifford Crane has led a tough life – failed marriages, bankruptcy, drug addiction, and a mind-numbing dead-end job. But he’s made it through, and now he’s a few short years from retirement. He’s looking forward to his golden years, until he meets an ancient Uwharrie Indian shaman, who turns him into a werewolf. She believes Clifford is the red wolf foretold in prophecy, the one who will unite the wolf packs and lead them to victory over the vampires for once and all time. Too bad she doesn’t tell him that before she dies. Now, rescuing beautiful young women from the clutches of the undead has its rewards, but will it pay the rent for the next thousand years?
Everyone has accepted the Prophecy of the Red Wolf except the Red Wolf himself. Clifford would like to reclaim some semblance of a normal life, but there are three beautiful reasons he cannot cut his ties to the pack of werewolves of which he has become a part. There’s Heather, the sister of the Uwharrie Pack alpha, whom the pack has chosen as Clifford’s mate. There’s Nicole, the talented young Omega wolf, a seeming reincarnation of Clifford’s once and greatest love, who shares a strange and disturbing bond with him. And there’s Danielle, the gorgeous young vampire who currently shares his bed in a forbidden affair.
Clifford faces a difficult choice indeed, but it may not be his to make. Powerful forces are afoot in the world, and to protect the ones he loves, Clifford must seek the help of the powerful Fae who foretold the prophecy in the first place, the one who might do anything to make sure the prophecy comes true, the mysterious Dragon of Doughton Park. 
The Dragon of Doughton Park is the second in a series of Red Wolf novels, depicting a world where vampires are mere generations away from realizing mankind’s destruction, the ultimate goal of the undead and the mysterious beings that created them.

Book Review: The Shadow Of Tiamat by Sean Poindexter

Let me start this review with my laugh-out-loud moment. Picture this, a dark, stormy night and two dragons battling it out for supremacy - one trying to kill an innocent woman, the other in love with her. The sky is filled with the shadow of their menace and the surrounding scrub is littered with their spilt blood. While the human - Megan - watches on, the dragons fight using everything in their surroundings to inflict carnage.
Now, during this intense moment, a spined tail flicks out, secures Megan's car in it's grip and hoists it into the air, spinning it with impossible force and strength at its opponent. A semi-serious moment and Megan yells out, 'Hey! My purse was in there!'
I was seriously in stitches for about twenty minutes.
The Shadow Of Tiamat is a surprising novel, best described as a Paranormal Romance that puts Sean Poindexter right up there with some of the best - Kerri Arthur and Sherrilyn Kenyon.
I was surprised how easy the novel read, despite that I was originally prejudiced about a man writing romance from a woman's perspective. Granted Megan did like to touch herself a little more than a confused teenage boy, but the ever evolving emotions explored between characters, interlaced with the telling of what I believe will evolve into an interesting plot, sells the author's intent.
The Shadow Of Tiamat follows multiple person perspective so you are never shy of the action or any necessary information, though it does mostly follow the story of Megan - a human (or is she?) and Garrett - a dragon.
Pulled together by a twist in fate, Megan has already found herself entangled unknowingly in the world of supernatural element. Discovering Garrett's secret and opening her mind to the possibilities of his existence also invites the acceptance of other creatures and their agendas.
Mostly a novel wrapped in the heady scent of sex and romance, there are some strong foundations for a an easy continuation in the series. With the introduction of vampiric elements and a seriously twisted agenda from higher ranking dragons, Sean Poindexter has crafted a novel with enduring possibilities.
Although I did cringe at some of the character interactions - jarred by the sometimes inconsistent use of language and often confusing switch between demure female lead, and dirty porn-mouth sex kitten, I still rather enjoyed the intensity of the romance, the solidarity of Garrett and his character consistency, as well as the off-hand commentary that regularly made me laugh or smile.
I happily rate this novel three out of five fangs.

Synopsis:

On a dark Ozark highway, two souls meet in tragedy and find their lives are connected to things bigger than them both. Megan Crunk, a social worker from Joplin, uncovers vampires preying on a small community. That same day, she meets Garrett, a fascinating stranger who is clearly more than he seems. But, as Meg slowly learns, so is she...
Garrett Terago is an ancient dragon, and until now, content with the secluded Ozark mountains. Disguised as a human, but rarely paying them heed, until he meets Megan. He offers her love and protection from the vampires but can he keep her safe from his own kind? 
War looms between the dragons. Some long for a time lost to prehistory, when they were worshiped as gods, masters of the world. Somehow, Garrett is instrumental to their plans and Megan is in their way.

Hi All!
I just wanted to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! To all my followers you have been a massive support and to those of you that read my posts regularly, leave comments and amazingly don't die of shock from my sometimes ferociously inappropriate subject matter, I wish you all the very best!
It has been an amazing year with a few more of my books due to be released early 2013, so I'm shutting down until after New Year so I can get all of this finished for the eager Hunted fans. Oh, and there will be zombies on the horizon in the New Year ... lots and lots of zombies.
Anyway, you should probably get your hands on a copy of 'The Hunted' for Christmas either for yourself or for a friend or both. I've been told by one of Santa's big-mouth elves that if you don't have a copy under the tree or sitting on your bookshelf then you will be added to the 'naughty list'.
This is fact. *Maniacal laughter*
So now that you're all on the 'nice' list, I'm going to head off, enjoy my Christmas and bid that you all do the same - be safe, be happy, be merry, and of course do what I'm going to do and eat ridiculous amounts of food despite that I know there will be a week long crying sesh followed by massive regret when the scales whisper to me 'one at a time please'.
Have a good one everyone!

Kristy :)

Buy The Hunted on Amazon Now!

Book Review: Silence by Becca Fitzpatrick

‘Silence’ by Becca Fitzpatrick is the third book in the ‘hush, hush’ series. It’s the steadily beating pulse of intrigue within the set that finally sees you keeping pace with the urgent tension the writer so obviously wishes you to engage.
The novel once again follows Nora Grey, a seemingly ordinary girl endlessly captured in the web of mystery that the world of angels and nephilim cast around her. Interestingly enough, ‘Silence’ begins mostly where the last novel left off, though it appears all the hard won battles of knowledge in the second book have evaded Nora in the third—her mind stolen by an extraordinarily powerful nephilim and the sinister edge of Devilcraft.
Through the first quarter of the story we see Nora regaining a lot of her former self, tossing aside previous doubts that had slowed the plot in earlier novels and actually trusting her instincts. She embraces some of the more interesting, introduced characters such as a nephilim called Scott—an old friend who appears to press for her affections but really just strives for freedom from the oppressive weight of the nephilim army that had recruited him in the past.
With Nora’s help and the slow progress of returning memories, Scott and Nora work to uncover the plot of the nephilim army. They are not alone in this task—Patch a fallen angel turned guardian angel returns to Nora’s side, plagued by ideals to let Nora forget their past, and yet haunted by the possibilities of what a future built together could bring.
Becca Fitzpatrick’s characters were as always consistent in their behaviour and dialogue. Patch, her male protagonist is naturally a show stealer in this series with his dark good looks and mysterious nature. His constant evasion of the truth, or breadcrumb version of it, leaves you feeling unsatisfied yet strangely intrigued. Although Nora does finally begin to show some gumption, particularly towards the last half of the novel, I still think that fleeting appearances from the fallen angel are what really keep you turning the pages on this evenly paced novel.
Action sequences were sparse but there was more than enough injection of plot thickeners to keep the story moving forward. My only criticism in these novels is that there really isn’t enough grit. We are reading stories of fallen angels and their deceitful enmeshing with humanity and yet we are left feeling as if we are reading about superheros rather than sinister outcasts of heaven.
All in all, I am enjoying this series, but again, I will only rate it three out of five fangs as there aren’t many moments that particularly make your pulse race on the action or romantic front.

Snopsis:
Nora Grey can't remember the past five months of her life. After the initial shock of waking up in a cemetery and being told that she has been missing for weeks - with no one knowing where she was or who she was with - she tried to get her life back on track. Go to school, hang out with her best friend, Vee, and dodge mom's creepy new boyfriend.
But there is this voice in the back of her head, an idea that she can almost reach out and touch. Visions of angel wings and unearthly creatures that have nothing to do with the life she knows.
And this unshakable feeling that a part of her is missing.
Then Nora crosses paths with a sexy stranger, whom she feels a mesmerizing connection to. He seems to hold all the answers...and her heart. Every minute she spends with him grows more and more intense until she realizes she could be falling in love. Again.

Book Review: Destiny Kills by Kerri Arthur

Destiny Kills is an interesting little book following Keri Arthur's usual style of paranormal romance writing. It's short, succinct and follows the story of two leads, one male (Trae), one female (Destiny) - the two inevitably linked by budding passion.
Although there is nothing specifically new and different during the exploration of plot and the unfolding love between Destiny and Trae, I was fascinated by the supernatural elements - elements I've never read about in other similarly penned supernatural fictions.
Destiny comes from a long line of Sea Dragons, better described as the Loch Ness Monster. With her ability to shape shift and commune with the sea and wield powers beyond human control, Destiny makes for an interesting character. Having been locked in a research facility for the better part of a decade, she finally escapes. Her purpose? To free the remaining inmates, see her father before he dies, and avenge the death of her friend.
Trae is a Draman - half human, half Air Dragon. He shape shifts to soar the skies, and wields the power fire with the aid of the sun. He stumbles upon Destiny, not quite by accident. Driven by a promise to his dead brother, Trae feels almost obligated to help Destiny in her mission to free the ones she loves while simultaneously serving a purpose of his own. What neither of them counted on was falling in love, a seemingly quick and easy affair.
What I've loved about Keri Arthur's novels in the past was what made it a little 'blah' for me now. The too fast romance and overly affectionate pet names seemed to roil my stomach. Perhaps my tastes have changed and the simplicity of a 300 page paranormal romance now seems sadly lacking with detail and character connection. I rate Destiny Kills three out of five fangs - enjoyable based on the imaginative characters and constant action that kept the plot moving forward.

Synopsis:

Desire calls. Danger Lurks.

But...

When Destiny McCree wakes up beside a dead man on an Oregon beach, she knows only this: she has to keep moving, keep searching, and keep one step ahead of the forces that have been pursuing her from the heart of Scotland to this isolated spot. Why? The death of her lover has left her alone, with little memory of her past. A glimmering serpent-shaped ring is the one clue she has—and a bargaining chip in a most dangerous game.

Enter Trae Wilson, a master thief with a sexy, knowing grin and a secret agenda of his own. Destiny and Trae both have powers far beyond the human—and both are running for their lives. Together they’re riding a tide of danger, magic, and lust…but with killers stalking their every move, they must use any means necessary, even each other, to survive—until the shocking secret of one woman’s destiny finally unravels.