Review: The Sweetest Shorts

Reviewed by Jen
 

I love Amanda Bonilla's Shaede Assassin series, so I was very excited when I discovered there was more from her that I had not read yet.   These Sweetest Shorts are very different.  Instead of UF, they are PNR and they are very short: about 45 pages a piece.  I flew through them pretty fast, so rather than review them in three separate posts, let me break them all down here.

The Sweetest Torture - I'll give Bonilla this: she can definitely do sexual tension and hot bedroom action. (Not that any of the sex happens in the bedroom, but I digress.)  This story features Cait, a cougar shifter who is being forced to mate with the man who broke her heart 30 years ago.  Back then, she caught him in bed with another woman. And though he swore he had no idea how he ended up naked with a stranger, she couldn't forgive him and walked out.  Now, her father has offered her up to make peace with his fellow Alpha, and she has no choice but to do as instructed.

The thing is, as angry and as hurt as she is, she can't ignore that she still wants Logan.  And despite his anger over how she left and her subsequent attempts to have him ruined, he still wants her too.

I got invested in Cait and Logan very quickly.  As with all of her work, Bonilla does a great job with characterization.  I understood them and you could cut the tension between them with a knife.  I enjoyed their sparring and the heat between them.

I only had two gripes.  One, it confused me that she used the words cougar and lion interchangeably.  True, a cougar is a mountain lion, but that is not the same thing and I actually had to wikipedia it.  I don't like to Google during a romance novel.  And two, due to the length of the story, the external conflict felt abrupt and like it came out of nowhere, spinning into a rushed resolution.   True, it was only 43 pages, but I think the front half was better fleshed out than the back half.

The Sweetest Temptation - OMG. This one was hotter than the last one!  But then, what would you expect when the heroine is a nymph?   Someone has kidnapped Erica's sister and tipped off police that Andrew is the man who snatched her.  But Erica knows she can use her nymph abilities to get more information than the cops can --so she takes matters into her own hands and kidnaps him from police custody.  It doesn't take long, though, before the pull of the moon awakens her sexual hunger, and she focuses her desires on Drew.  She quickly figures out that he is innocent and that gives her the green light to act on the attraction.

The sexual dynamic between Andrew and Erica is off the charts.  Their supernatural quirks made the speed of their physical pairing acceptable for me. (I thought her throwing around the prospect of a relationship came around rather quickly, but at least they weren't spouting the L-word.)

I liked that the story tied in with The Sweetest Torture, with Andrew being Logan's brother and some other references.  I think this would hold up as a stand-alone, but I the ending would resonate a little better for folks who have already read the first story.

The Sweetest Mercy - Another really hot read.  I think this one was my favorite.  It focuses on the rescue effort for Erica's sister, Kiera.  Carter is Logan and Andrew's best tracker and he sets off, not only to find the missing nymph, but also to bring her kidnapper back to the Pride for justice.

Carter has been celibate for decades, since the death of his mate.  But when he makes it to Kiera, her nymph mojo and her glaring need are too much to ignore.  What starts as a quickie to take the edge off, turns into something much more between these two people who had lost hope of ever finding an HEA.  Yes, it's an uber fast connection, but the sex was super hot and I really felt for the characters. Carter, especially, was so wounded (both physically and emotionally.)  A satisfying end to the trilogy. I am glad I read them all back-to-back.

Overall Rating: B

*ARCs provided by author for review

Click to purchase: The Sweetest Torture

Click to purchase: The Sweetest Temptation

Click to purchase: The Sweetest Mercy

The Sweetest Torture

The Sweetest Temptation

The Sweetest Mercy

by Amanda Bonilla

Exclusive: Ty POV & Crave the Darkness Giveaway

Guys, I am so psyched to share this amazing post with you. In celebration of the release of Crave the Darkness, Amanda Bonilla wrote a special Ty POV from a scene in the book.  And you can only read it here.  Check it out and be sure to enter below for your chance to win your own copy of the book (US Only.)

Political functions make me want to gnaw my own arm off. I wouldn’t be at this damned PNT dignitary ball at all if she wasn’t here. The distance between us now is suffocating, and I wonder, how much longer will I be able to bear the separation.

Adira is with me tonight, probably not the best idea considering the circumstances, but I don’t have a choice. She can’t be left alone, because if Kade manages to get his hands on her, I doubt she’ll live through the encounter. Adira found me in the desert, moments after I came into existence. She was my companion for centuries. It would be unconscionable to abandon her now, when she truly needs me. She’s addicted to Kade’s deadly touch. If I leave her alone for even a second, she’ll go to him. I’m all that stands between Adira and suicide. Because isn’t it suicide to allow yourself to indulge in something that will surely kill you? And if addiction truly is a means of self-extinction, then what does it say about me? Don’t I crave Darian like a drug? Will she be the death of me?

I catch a glimpse of her across the crowded ballroom and I swear my heart stops beating for a minute. She’s so beautiful, just looking at her makes me ache. Her gaze is cast downward, her shoulders slightly hunched as if protecting herself from something and I wonder if that asshole Xander even notices how uncomfortable she is. How scrutinized she feels. Completely exposed. I doubt Xander sees anything past the emerald green dress that’s hugging every soft curve of her body. The only thing he’s concerned with is the enticing swell of her breasts just above the bodice. He’s damned near humping her leg like a horny mutt. In fact, he hasn’t taken his eyes—or his hands—off her since they walked in the door. The King of Shaedes isn’t a fool. He knows I’m here. Our gazes locked the minute I arrived. And he’s kept one arm hooked around Darian’s ever since. He’s threatened by me, and he should be. Darian is mine. She’ll always be mine, and no amount of courting by the high king will change that fact.

I feel her apprehension through our bond. It’s killing me to know that she’s uncomfortable, and I’m sure it’s killing her to stand around, chatting about nothing at all, when there’s work to be done. Darian won’t rest until Kade is dead, and it terrifies me. He’s dangerous prey, more than she realizes. If he so much as lays a finger on her with intent, she won’t be able to help herself. She’ll go to him willingly. Just like Anya. Just like Adira. And if that happens, I’ll kill him with my bare hands.

My eyes are glued to Darian and my body goes rigid as she leans in toward Xander. He lowers his face to hers, so close her lips brush his cheek as she whispers something close to his ear. Jealousy rages, an inferno burning me from the inside out. I can almost feel the softness of her mouth, the feather light touch of her lips. I down the bourbon in my hand in a single swallow, enjoying the way it ignites a path down my throat. Yeah, I’m drunk, but I don’t give a fuck. If I wasn’t, I would have brought the building down around me an hour or so ago. My senses—not to mention my emotions—aren’t numb, but I’m a hell of a lot calmer than I’d be sober.

Darian pulls away from the Shaede King and my heart pounds against my ribcage. His touch lingers, his fingers trailing down her arm, desperate to keep any sort of contact with her skin, and I can feel the enamel grinding on my teeth, my jaw is clenched so hard. She turns and walks away from him, through the entrance of the ballroom and into the foyer.

Now’s my chance. I deliver Adira into the hands of a group of delegates and murmur in her ear that I’ll be back soon. She gives me a reassuring smile and returns her attention to the conversation. I won’t leave her alone for long. But I have to see Darian. I have to inhale her scent. Revel in the fiery touch of her soft skin. Look into those luminescent green eyes that reflect the depth of her soul. One moment with her—no matter how fleeting—is a soothing balm, and if I don’t go to her now, I’ll lose my fucking mind.

Darian is mine. And it’s about damned time I made her realize it.

OMG!!! To enter the giveaway, just comment below! Be sure to include your email address.

This contest is closed. The winners are Rebe and Jess1.

Review: Crave the Darkness

Reviewed by Jen
 

Shadow. That's how I started out; all I was again. A casting of mottled dark.  The real me, the me that knew happiness and light left with him.  

This was a tough book to read.  I mean, what can you expect with an opening like that?  The ending of Blood Before Sunrise was a real kick in the gut. And as we begin a new installment in the Shaede Assassin series, Darian is still feeling the burn.  Her beloved Tyler has left her and she has sunk into a debilitating depression.  But her friends refuse to let her wallow any longer.

Raif and Xander pull her back into the Shaede world, pushing her to lead a protection detail for Anya.  The two women have never gotten along, but Anya is pregnant and someone has been threatening her life.  Darian has to pull herself together to keep the woman alive, while working to identify and eliminate the threat to her life.

Meanwhile, Tyler returns.  But he's not alone.  Is the beautiful woman with him Darian's replacement?  Of course, that is Darian's immediate assumption.  She doesn't deal with her fears in any healthy kind of way, unfortunately.  I hated watching her suffer --and make unwise choices.  But though Darian is growing, she is still emotionally stunted and her reactions are in keeping with the experiences that have made her into who she is.

I know this all sounds like a giant downer and you may be asking why you should subject yourself to such torture.  Well, because it's delicious torture, that's why.  Well, mostly.  Darian has been through so much.  I am desperate for her to find some happiness.  And while I have never taken Xander seriously as possible contender for a love triangle, I actually found myself... softening toward him.  My love for Tyler has been seriously tested.  Whether intentional or not, he is the root of Darian's pain and he could take it away at any time.  So why doesn't he?  It fills me with so much angst.  Angst I could only feel about characters I have become utterly invested in.  I think if I were not able to read more of their story, my head would pop off.  Or implode.

Amanda Bonilla delivers a fairly big shocker in the story.  And despite all of the emotional turmoil, she keeps the story moving fast with plenty of action.  The ending... wasn't what I wanted and there is much left... dangling.  But Bonilla promises this won't be the end of the Shaede Assassin world, so I will try to remain calm.

If you haven't read this series, this is not the book to start with.  Go back to the beginning and pick up Shaedes of Gray.  It's good stuff.  If you're already a fan of the books, you won't want to miss this one, even if it's hard on your heart.

Rating: B

*ARC Provided by Signet Eclipse

Click to purchase: Amazon

Crave the Darkness

by Amanda Bonilla

Release Date: March 5, 2013

Publisher: Signet Eclipse

Review: Lost to the Gray

Reviewed by Jen
 

What could be better than getting a first person POV story from one of your favorite heroes?

This novella in Amanda Bonilla's Shaede Assassin series gives us a closer look at Tyler than we have ever seen before. It's set immediately after the events of Blood Before Sunrise.  (So new readers, be aware this is not a story for you. Go back and read Shaedes of Gray. Now.) Ty is really hurting over what Darian did to him in the last book.  And through his narrative, we feel it too.  He's struggling over his anger and feelings of betrayal, all the while, still loving her fiercely.

In the meantime, Levi the bartender has gotten himself in a mess of trouble, and it's life or death. So Ty needs to put all that delicious angst on the backburner, while he helps Levi out of a jam.  It's a pretty interesting and fast moving plot.  But honestly, it's not why anyone is going to be reading the story.  We're reading it for that insight into Tyler, and we get it in spades.

Perhaps the best parts of the story for me, are flashbacks of Ty and Darian.  First and foremost are his memories of how they met and how he bound himself to her.  Great scenes, that both explained a lot and opened up a couple of new doors.  And then, we've got an awesome love scene from the time Ty and Darian were happy together.  In BBS, I wished for more opportunities to see them this way: happy, sexy, and in love. And it's even better with Tyler's thoughts and feelings front and center.

If all of that isn't enough to reel you in (what's wrong with you?) --then let me give you one more little tidbit.  The ending goes a long way to explain Ty's behavior in the upcoming Crave the Darkness. Yes, you could read the next novel and still understand what's going on, but this will you some perspective to help understand some things which are a little hard to stomach.

They say it's always darkest before the dawn. Read this one and bask in the memories! Tyler + Darian = 4eva!!

Rating: B+

*ARC provided by author for review

Click to purchase: Amazon

Lost to the Gray

by Amanda Bonilla

Release Date: February 5, 2013

Publisher: Penguin

You Should Be Reading: Shaede Assassin

A Message from Jen
 

You've probably heard me talking about this series here or on Twitter, but in case you missed it (or you haven't gotten around to it yet) --listen up. I'm gonna tell you about the Shade Assassin books.

Darian started her life as an ordinary human. But a mysterious man with extraordinary gifts rescued her from the confines of an abusive relationship and helped her transition into a nearly immortal Shaede.  She uses her new abilities to become an assassin, cut-off from relationships and emotion. But that all changes as she finds others of her kind and falls in love with a man who is totally crazy about her.  I love this series.  The heroine is emotionally stunted, but we get to watch her evolution --both in her personal life and as we see her powers grow.  Tyler is a great hero: patient, loyal and powerful. And there's an engaging cast of secondary characters that grow in importance as the series goes on.  Whirlwind action, great world-building and a romance to root for makes this an Urban Fantasy series you don't want to miss!

If that sounds familiar, that means you have probably visited my Favorites page before. Yep! This series is one of my favorites in Urban Fantasy.  And book 3, Crave the Darkness, is out on March 5th.  Still not sure if it's right for you? Amanda Bonilla is sharing an excerpt from the new book. Check it out:

   “I want you to wish for something.” Ty’s voice rumbled in his chest.
   “Wh- hat?” I stammered.
   “Wish. For. Something.” Tyler’s eyes were hard, unyield­ing, and his stare bore into me with such intensity that I couldn’t look away. His hand, still wrapped around the back of my neck, held my face close to his, and the cold that ema­nated from him chilled me to the bone. “Do you know how fucking frustrating it is for me that you never wish for any­thing? Well,” he scoffed. “I guess you make the occasional wish. But only when you want me out of your hair.”
   “I wished for you,” I said, my voice thick with emotion. “Almost every day. And no matter how much I wanted you with me, you stayed away.”
   “Wants versus needs,” Tyler scoffed. “Your wishes are dictated by magic, Darian. You might have wanted me for whatever reason but you didn’t need me. I’m at your dis­posal . . . night, day, whenever. And still, you only make self­ish wishes. Wishes to keep me home and out of your hair. Wishes to bring me to your side to relieve your guilt. Do you know how useless that makes me feel?”
   “Tyler . . . I . . .” What the hell could I say? He was right. I refused to make wishes, even though his very nature de­manded that he grant them. I hadn’t wanted to use him, to treat him like a slave.
   “Is it easier to be with him?” Tyler asked. “Does he give you space? Freedom? Does he let you be in charge, because I have a hard time believing that he’d let you. Does he even care what happens to you as long as you’re front and center when he wants you to be?” His eyes left mine and his heated gaze swept my body, sending a liquid fire through my blood­stream. “Do you tremble when he touches you?” He swept his forefinger along my collarbone and over the swell of one breast. Can he make your breath quicken like I can?”
   Little puffs of steam burst from my parted lips. “Stop it, Tyler,” I said, too breathily. I tried to infuse my voice with strength and resolution, but fell short. “You don’t want me anymore. Why are you doing this to me?”
   “Make a wish,” he commanded.
   My gaze darted from his eyes to his parted mouth. I could almost feel his lips on mine: soft, yet demanding. “I wish . . .” you’d kiss me.

(*thud*) I wish he would kiss her too!! Clearly, there is angst afoot.   I've got some buy links for the new book below. But if you're new to the series, check out my review for book one --and give it a try.

Crave the Darkness: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | The Book Depository

Amanda on Facebook

Amanda is giving away a copy of Crave the Darkness before you can buy it. Just enter the Rafflecopter form below to enter. US/Can only.

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5 for Friday - October 19

It's my last day of working overnights and I have to tell you that I have really missed you guys.  Sleeping when everyone else is awake has seriously cut back on my Twitter time, and more changes at work are ahead.  A promotion (yay!) is moving me to a permanent 4am-1pm shift.  I'll be able to sleep close to human hours, but I am going to have to find a new time to troll my dirty Tumblr.  Don't worry! I won't abandon my sexy men.

5. I am crying on the inside as I tell you that the release of book three in the Crossfire series is delayed.  (*sobs*) That means we now have to wait an extra five months to see if Gideon and Eva can sort through their crazy-cakes and make it work between them. Reflected in You definitely left me wanting more.

Entwined With You (theoretically) ends my suffering May 7th.

4. My girl Amanda Bonilla has a new novella out, called The Sweetest Torture.

Thirty years ago, when the sultry and headstrong Cait left Logan Paige, the Alpha cougar shapeshifter of his Montana pride, his entire world came crashing down. He couldn’t explain where he’d been the previous night or why there was a strange woman in his bed…because he had no memory of the night before. Wounded and betrayed, Cait refused to listen to Logan’s excuses and walked straight out of his life…determined to exact her revenge on the sexy cougar who had crushed her heart. With a little help from her influential father, she made sure that Logan’s business, as well as his life, crumbled into ruins. Hell hath no fury, indeed.

But now it’s thirty years later and two of Montana’s most powerful cougar prides are on the brink of war. A tenuous peace is reached, but it’s dependent on Cait and Logan marrying on All Hallow’s Eve. Spitfire Cait has her own plans of revenge…using her feminine wiles to turn Logan into a purring kitty lapping cream at her feet. And Logan has his schemes to regain control and dominate like the Alpha he is…

When they realize that the erotic passion between them is still so intense, Logan and Cait will have to decide if dwelling in the past is worth sacrificing the future…

It's a freebie at ARe.

3. An update on the Chronicles of Nick movie.  Sherrilyn Kenyon now has the script for it in her hands and is working on it with the producers.

What I am really waiting for is info on the Dark Hunters series. Bring on Acheron!!!

2.  Charlaine Harris has released the cover for Dead Ever After, the next (and final) book in her Sookie Stackhouse series.

I will be shocked if Sookie ends up with anyone but Sam, but I suppose only time will tell. Dead Ever After is out May 7th.

1. Is there a Twilight tv-show in the works?  Maybe. There's talk of “TV show or film spin-off, merely set in the same world as the one in the movies but not featuring the main trio.”

Maybe they'll focus on the wolf pack. What do you guys think? Are you down for more Twilight or should the franchise call it quits?

Gotta run!

XOXO,
Jen

Favorites From... Amanda Bonilla

Amanda Bonilla

Thanks so much, Jen for having me as a guest today! I think it’s safe to say that I’m an urban fantasy and paranormal romance junkie. I love kick-ass heroines and tough alpha males. Throw in fangs, fur, wings, and magic and I’m sold! I could make a list a mile long of my favorite books and series, but in the interest of not boring you to death as I ramble on, here are five of my favorite series, and go-to reads.

Charley Davidson – Darynda Jones

 
I’ve yet to read anything by Darynda Jones that wasn’t sexy, funny, and entertaining. Her Charley Davidson series is a great palate cleanser, especially if I’ve been immersed in something dark and serious for too long. Charley is a P.I. and the Grim Reaper. How cool is that? And her hunky love interest, Reyes Farrow, is none other than the son of Satan. Can you say star-crossed lovers? Davidson blends mystery, comedy, and romance perfectly in this fun paranormal romance series. The covers for her books are gorgeous as well, an added plus! Great to display on a shelf. ;) 

Immortals After Dark – Kresley Cole 

Oh, how I love Kresley Cole’s Immortals After Dark! Her Valkyries are among my favorite fictional characters, Regan the Radiant being my all-time fav. Each book features a different couple from Cole’s world of the Lore and you can take your pick of sexy alphas ranging from vampires to berserkers. While humorous at times, the series is still dark and seductive, and I have to say that Cole writes THE BEST sex scenes. Like, ever. Seriously, I bow down to her. I’m sure to pre-order any book in this series and with every installment, Cole leaves me hungry for more.

 
Lords of Deliverance – Larissa Ione

My sister turned me on to Larissa Ione about a year ago. Wow. I’d been missing out! I enjoy her Demonica series, but I have to say, there’s just something about her Horsemen (and woman) of the Apocalypse that’s so, soooo great. These are characters with extensive pasts, burdens of guilt, and piles of secrets. Their flaws make them such multi-dimensional characters. The fact that the fate of humanity rests on their shoulders, and that they’ve chosen to do good makes them the best heroes and heroine. I’m dying to read the next book in the series, ROGUE RIDER.

 
Black Dagger Brotherhood – J.R. Ward

I am a J.R. Ward fangirl. Like, I’d seriously pee my pants and blather like an idiot if I ever met her. Vampires, life-long mates, hot sex, and eternal devotion…what more you could possibly ask for in a paranormal romance? Besides writing the best tragic heroes I’ve ever read, her story crafting continues to blow me away with each new release. Her ability to weave story lines with back story, and character development is truly amazing, and I’ve learned a lot about writing a cohesive tale from reading her books.

Mercy Thompson Series – Patricia Briggs

If Patricia Briggs wrote a manual about the care and maintenance of an air conditioning system, I’d buy it. About four years ago, a fireman who works at the hub’s station recommended that I read her series about werewolves and a coyote shifter. He’d been a fan of her other fantasy series and had just made the leap to urban fantasy. I put it off, and he pestered me every time I talked to him. “Did you read it yet? Did you read it yet? WHY HAVEN’T YOU READ IT YET?!?!” So when I came across MOONCALLED at the bookstore one day I thought, hey, why not? I devoured that book. I couldn’t get enough. I read until I’d caught up in the series and then forced (yes, FORCED) all of the readers I knew to buy her books. Briggs’s world building is amazing. Her style and voice pull you into the story from the first word. Mercy Thompson is a great heroine! She’s strong, devoted to her loved-ones, determined, and fierce. And Briggs’s secondary characters shine just as brightly as Mercy. I’ve yet to read anything by Patricia Briggs that I wasn’t completely in love with. Her Alpha and Omega series is just the icing to the Mercy-world cake, and don’t even get me started on her cover art. Dan Dos Santos is amazing! If you haven’t read the Mercy Thompson or Alpha and Omega books, what are waiting for?!? Get to the bookstore! Now! And get to reading. You can thank me later. ;)

Thanks so much to Amanda Bonilla for sharing her recommendations. I asked Amanda to be a part of the feature because her Shaede Assassin books are fantastic.  The heroine, Darian, is an emotionally stunted, immortal killer.  Isolated from her own kind for decades, she is just now learning who/ what she is.  And she is finally learning what it means to love.  Give Shaedes of Gray a try and you'll know why I swoon when I say "Tyler never disappoints."

In the meantime, here is your chance to check out one of Amanda's suggestions.  Fill out the Rafflecopter form and enter to win a hardback copy of First Grave on the Right by Darynda Jones.  You can also enter win Amanda's latest book, Blood Before Sunrise. Both giveaways are international.

Be sure to check out all of the Favorites From My Favorites posts and giveaways this month, by clicking here.
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5 for Friday - August 31

This has not been a good week in Red Hot Bookland. There was a pesky hurricane that hit my neck of the woods. It screwed with the kids' school schedule. It stressed me out, worrying about my family in New Orleans.  It made work at the tv station a nightmare.  Hurricanes are the devil's work. Add to that the fact that I started a diet/ exercise adventure in torture routine... and, well... screw it. Let's get to the good stuff.

5. Let's start strong. Adam Levine. American Horror Story.

This looks so bad ass. Who is planning to watch? The premiere is October 17th.

4. I love Amanda Bonilla's Shaede Assassin books. The ending of Blood Before Sunrise was a real kick in the nuts.  Now, she's got the blurb out on book three, Crave the Darkness.

Nothing comes easy for Darian. Her heightened powers make her indispensable to the Shaede Nation, but dangerous missions have driven her lover, Tyler, to his breaking point. Darian must salvage their bond, but a new assignment to protect Anya—a fellow Shaede and the first of their kind to become pregnant in centuries—stands in their way.

It doesn’t help that the two Shaedes are longtime rivals and share nothing besides mutual hatred. But when it becomes clear that someone—or something—is bent on destroying the expectant mother and her unborn child, Darian must put her feelings aside and track down Anya’s would-be assassin.

As she probes into Anya’s past, Darian digs up long-buried secrets—and a connection between Tyler and the mission that could destroy everything between them…

As if I wasn't a wreck already. WHY DO YOU DO THIS TO ME, AMANDA BONILLA?? Now, I'm not sure if I want to read it.  --OK, that's a lie. I'm totally going to read it, but I'm very nervous about it.

Somebody hold me.  Adam Levine, maybe?

Crave the Darkness is out March 2013.  The Ty POV novella, Lost to the Gray, releases February 5th.

3. No cover on that book yet, but I do have one gorgeous cover to share. Here's a peek at The Lost, book two in the Celestial Blues series by Vicki Pettersson.

Wow!! The Lost is out in March.

2. I Love Kristen Callihan's Darkest London books with a capital L.  Now Kristen has posted four deleted scenes from Moonglow.

 
You can find them all here, along with a giveaway on book one, Firelight. If you haven't read this book, go enter right now!! (Or after you finish this post and leave a meaningful comment.)

1. And finally. Another tv show that has piqued my interest.

ABC has ordered a pilot for S.H.I.E.L.D. with Joss Whedon as part of the deal. I have loved almost every show I have ever seen from that man.  (Buffy forever!!) Whedon is tapped to write the pilot and direct!  King Joss says the series will be "autonomous" from the movies.  I will try not to hold the absence of Chris Hemsworth against them (too much.) No word on any casting, but I am intrigued.

OK. That's it for this week. My husband is watching Gigolos in the background as I type this and it is very distracting. (It's so horrible, I must watch.)

XOXO,
Jen

Review: Blood Before Sunrise

Reviewed by Jen
 

If you are a fan of Urban Fantasy and you have not tried the Shaede Assassin books, you are really missing out.  These books bowl me over with fantastic world building and characters I care deeply about.  This book took me on a wild ride that kept me on the edge of my seat until the big emotional finish that left me shredded.

The story picks up several months after the events of Shaedes of Gray.  Darian is happy and in love with Tyler.  Together with Raif and Xander's men, they are searching for the Oracle who escaped at the end of the last book.  Things get more complicated once they find her and she reveals that Raif's daughter is alive and she knows where to find her.  Raif can't allow himself to believe it's true but Darian can't ignore the possibility.  So she makes it her mission to find the girl who has been lost for centuries.

At this point, a ton of stuff starts piling up on Darian's plate.  She starts having terrifying dreams and visions filled with cryptic prophesies she can't understand.  The Oracle gets placed in the custody of supernatural law enforcement, forcing Darian to make an unsavory alliance to get access to her again.  Plus, there is something seriously wrong with Ty.  He is flying into jealous rages, losing his self-control. And he says there is a problem with their bond.

It's really all too much for Darian to take on at once. She tries. But her actions merely accentuate her character flaws.  She is impetuous and over confident. She is unable to trust in others, to allow them to help her.  And it's in her inability to reach out and share her burdens that she makes terrible mistakes and some Very Bad Decisions.

I do believe Darian's heart is in the right place, though. So while she frustrates me, I still empathize with her.  I love, love, love Ty, even though he is batshit crazy at times.  I spent the entire book in constant fear that Darian would break her bond with him "for his own good."  --And Raif.  He's such an interesting character and I adore his relationship with Darian. I understand why she feels so loyal him.  Xander, eh, I could take or leave.

Amanda Bonilla opens up her world even more in this story, taking us inside the Fae world, and explaining more about what makes Darian so special.  It's... different.  Unique.  My only beef is one Darian shares toward the end of the book, which is Why the Hell didn't anyone tell her what she was?  If two relevant characters would have just taken a moment to explain things, it would have saved everyone a lot of pain and heartbreak.

Yes. I said heartbreak.  I feel hollow in my chest, dammit.  How am I going to wait until March for this all to be fixed?  (Are you listening Amanda Bonilla? This must be fixed. Or I am breaking up with you.)

Rating: A-

*ARC provided by author for review

Click to purchase: Amazon

Blood Before Sunrise

by Amanda Bonilla

Release Date: July 3, 2012

Publisher: Signet Eclipse

Series Reading Order: Shaede Assassin

This is the reading order for the Shaede Assassin series by Amanda Bonilla:

• Shaedes of Gray
• *When Shadows Call
• Blood Before Sunrise
• Crave the Darkness (2013)

*Denotes short story/novella. When Shadows Call is a prequel to Shaedes of Gray,  but I think it would be best read after the first novel.

Interview & Giveaway: Amanda Bonilla

Urban Fantasy author Amanda Bonilla is chatting with me today about her fantastic Shaede Assassin books. I loved Shaedes of Gray --and I promise you Blood Before Sunrise is just as good. Please help me welcome Amanda to the blog!

Jen: Thanks so much for chatting with me, Amanda. I am such a fan of the Shaede Assassin series.

Amanda: Thanks for having me, Jen! I have to say, I’ve been pimping your blog and Tumblr account to everyone I know. You know just what I like to see! ;)

Jen: Tell new readers a little about the books and the main character, Darian.

Amanda: The Shaede Assassin Series takes place in Seattle. The city has become the new royal seat for the Shaede Nation (creatures who can become shadows once the sun sets) and because of that, the supernatural population has boomed. My supes don’t live out in the open, meaning, most humans don’t know they exist. The main character, Darian, is a Shaede and an assassin. She’s bitter, jaded, and carrying an atomic bomb’s worth of attitude. She’s been living the past century completely shut off from the world. She’s only known about the supernatural world for a short time. Her former lover, Azriel, had her convinced that she was an anomaly and no others like her existed. She’s slowly learning how to form relationships, and since she’s well-practiced at keeping others at arm’s length, she’s having a hard time opening up.

Jen: I am completely, totally 100% in love with Tyler, so I'll admit I am biased. How would you compare and contrast him with Xander, the other man who is a potential love interest for Darian?

Amanda: Tyler is great. I really like giving males care-giver roles in my stories. I tend to make them more emotionally stable than my leading ladies. Ty is really great in that his reason for existing is to protect. Xander, on the other hand, is an aristocrat, and used to getting what he wants. I wouldn’t say he’s an uncaring character, because truly, he’s concerned with his people and his kingdom. But Xander can be pretty selfish and he’ll admit it freely. He doesn’t care who he steamrolls to get what he wants, and he’s not above being manipulative. While Ty can appear to be laid-back, he’s okay with getting down and dirty to protect those he loves. Tyler isn’t flashy. He’s crazy powerful, but he doesn’t feel like he has to prove himself to anyone. Piss him off, though, and you better watch out!

Jen: Darian is very emotionally stunted by her past experiences. Do you think she will ever really capable of trusting someone or letting them in completely?

Amanda: When I started this series, I wanted to take this closed-off character and explore what it would be like to see her scrape bottom and then fight her way to the top. Darian has no idea how to live her life. For decades she’s just been going through the motions. She’s going to have to make a lot of mistakes before she can learn her lessons. She’ll definitely grow and mature over the course of the series. The one thing I love about writing a first-person series is that rather than having her character arc span the course of one book, I get to stretch it out over the course of many books.

Jen: You do such a great job of fleshing out the characters, even the secondary ones like Raif (who I also Love with a capital L.) Which character do you most enjoy writing for and why?

Amanda: Thanks, Jen! I love Raif with a capital “L” too! He’s definitely one of my favorite characters to write. He’s so dry and pragmatic. I always picture him with this, “Really? You think that’s a good idea?” expression on his face. There’s something about writing Darian, though, that’s really cathartic. Her personality is nothing like mine and she doesn’t take shit off of anyone. I’m such a non-confrontational person; I’ll pretty much do anything to avoid it. Darian gets right in the face of confrontation and she doesn’t care what anyone thinks of her. I love that about her.

Jen: In Blood Before Sunrise, you expand the world building quite a bit. How much of the world and series development did you have in your head when you started writing the first book and how much developed as you were writing?

Amanda: I wrote SoG completely from the hip. I had no idea what was going to happen until I typed the words on my keyboard. Whenever I needed to flesh out the world-building, I’d take a break and sketch it out on paper. I’ve got a family tree that shows the Shaede and Lyhtan lineage and how/where they branch off from the same tree. For Blood Before Sunrise I had to really flex my world-building muscles and create a Fae-related history. I like to create my own mythology, though. It can also be tough. Writing the “rules” of the Jinn and the way they bind themselves to their Charges (which will show up in Crave the Darkness, Shaede Assassin 3) has been my biggest challenge so far. I had to make sure that it was precise and to the letter. I hope I haven’t painted myself into a corner anywhere!

Jen: SoG focused on the Shaedes. BBS on the Fae. Will you continue to delve into more supernatural races in future books?

Amanda: I like to explore the world building involved with different supernatural characters. I plan to put the spotlight on a different species with each book. I have a very overactive imagination, so I’ll keep throwing out new supes until my brain sputters out. Which I’m hoping won’t be for a while. ;)

Jen: How many are you planning to write in the series at this point?

Amanda: I’m currently contracted for three books, but I could easily write at least seven in the Shaede Assassin series as well as a few spin-offs. I really want to write a book for Raif and I’m hoping that someday I’ll get the chance to do it!

Jen: OK, tell the truth, if you could change the name of the first book would you do it?

Amanda: Honestly, no. There is the occasional confusion over the spelling, and of course there’s the connection to another certain book with a similar title. Someone emailed me a month or so ago to ask if I’d titled my book the way I had to capitalize on the other book’s popularity. That really cracked me up. I wrote SoG in 2009 and the title seemed really fitting for the tone of the story. Darian starts out as this slightly unlikeable, gray area character. Frequently, book titles will be changed several times between the first draft and production. I’m glad the title stuck.

Jen: Earlier this month, you released a prequel novella about Darian's transition to life with Azriel. I am making my pitch for your next novella. Another prequel, this one a Ty POV of when he bound himself to Darian. Any chance? I would totally buy that.

Amanda: Jen, your wish will totally be granted! ;) I’m working on a novella right now that takes place between books 2 and 3 and is told from Tyler’s POV. I’m writing a flashback so readers will get to see that first meeting between Darian and Tyler and they’ll also get a firsthand account of why he feels compelled to bind himself to her from the first moment he lays eyes on her. I’m SOOOOO excited for this novella!!

Jen: OMG, OMG, OMG. When?

Amanda: Not until February.  :’( I’m really excited about it, though. Hope I can pull off the male POV. And I’ve never written a sex scene from guy’s perspective, either. I’m going to have to visit your tumblr often for inspiration. ;) It’ll be a tough job, but I’ll soldier through! Hehe.

Jen: I am so excited about this. Thanks again for taking the time to answer my questions and for the giveaway! I hope BBS is a great success!

Amanda: Thanks again so much for having me as a guest, Jen! And keep those Tumblr posts coming! LOL!

Amanda is giving away a print copy of Blood Before Sunrise, which is out July 3rd.  To enter, just fill out the Rafflecopter form below. This one is US/CAN only.  To learn more about Amanda Bonilla, you can visit her website or follow her on Twitter.  

Read more »

Review: When Shadows Call

Reviewed by Jen
 

Amanda Bonilla gives fans of her Shaede Assassin books more insight into our heroine Darian with this prequel novella.  The story provides a closer look at Darian's early life, from the relationship she had with her abusive husband to the beginnings of her career as an assassin with Azriel.

In some ways, I felt like I "knew" a lot of this stuff about Darian. After all, most of it is either explained or shown in flashbacks during the course of the two novels.  But Bonilla delivers it in such a way that it didn't ever feel boring or redundant.  I think what I like so much about her writing is her ability to make me connect with her characters.  Going through everything with Darian in the first person really pulled me in to what was happening to her.  I cared.

What I really didn't expect was to feel anything positive towards Azriel. After all, the guy was a villain in book one.  But wow.  I could see why she fell for him.  He is so seductive and attractive, that I was even drawn into his web.  The sex is reallly hot.  And for all the selfish things he does, he did save Darian from a horrific life.  It was definitely food for thought and I doubt I'll look at him the same way when I see him again on-page.

Would this be as enjoyable for someone who hasn't read Shaedes of Gray? I'm not sure.  I'd say this would serve readers best after reading that book.  And if you haven't read it yet, what are you waiting for?

Rating: B+

Click to purchase: Amazon

When Shadows Call

by Amanda Bonilla

Release Date: June 5, 2012

Publisher: Signet

Review: Shaedes of Gray

Reviewed by Jen
 

I've seen mixed reviews on this book, but I want to start by telling you how much I really enjoyed it.  The story pulled me in from the beginning and I read the entire thing in one sitting.  I didn't want to put it down.

Darian is a Shaede and an assassin.  She knows very little about what she is. Her maker, Azriel, abandoned her decades ago. She only knows that she is fast, ageless, and seemingly invincible -- and at night, she can become incorporeal, at one with the shadows.  She works under Tyler, the middleman who sets up her jobs.  There is something between them, but she refuses to act on it.   Azriel told her she was the last of her kind. What hope could she have for a relationship with someone frail and mortal?

Anyway, her latest hit turns out to be more than she bargained for.  The job is a ruse to bring her face-to-face with Xander, the king of the Shaedes.  He wants to hire her to kill another supernatural.  To say meeting Xander changes her life would be an understatement. Suddenly, Darian's eyes are opened to a huge world she never knew existed.  And she must figure out where she fits in, now that she knows she is not alone.  This, while fighting off the creatures trying to kill her, training for her new gig, and figuring out her feelings for the two men in her life.

The story sets up a sort-of love triangle between Darian, Xander, and Ty, but I never really bought into it.  I loved Tyler from the first time I met him and I basically considered Xander little more than a mildly threatening foil throughout. (*mild spoilers*) In fact, one of my only complaints about the book is the fact that Xander allegedly falls for Darian and Ty actually takes him seriously as someone Darian could love in return.  But there is no basis for it at all in my mind.  Infatuation and curiosity, sure. But love, no way.

The world building in this book is fascinating, original, and easy to understand.  The plot was fast moving and action packed.  The story developments surprised me and kept me on the edge of my seat.  And I was very invested in the characters.  Much like Darian, I didn't even realize how much I cared, until the rug got ripped out from under me.  My heart broke right along with Darian's when the villain's plan finally came to fruition.

I know that not everyone likes Darian, but I had a lot of sympathy for her. She has had a really rough life and I think she has a lot of inner strength.  We've already established how I feel about Ty.  But there are some really great secondary characters too, like Raif. (*spoilers*) I find it fascinating that he may have inadvertently set this whole thing in motion. I can't wait to get started on Blood Before Sunrise.

Rating: A-

Click to purchase: Amazon

Shaedes of Gray

by Amanda Bonilla

Release Date: December 6, 2011

Publisher: Signet

5 for Friday - June 1

Happy Friday, everybody!  I've had a great reading week.  Moonglow was awesome!  Different from Firelight, but I liked that Kristen Callihan didn't try to write the same book again.  I also read the two Shaede Assassin books by Amanda Bonilla.  Loved!  The first installment, Shaedes of Gray (no relation to the 50 variety) came out in December. Book two, Blood Before Sunrise is out in July. I was so sad when I was finished, but then weeeeee! I found out there is going to be a novella out this week.

5.  Tuesday is apparently Day of the Novella.  "Finding Magic," the Downside prequel from Stacia Kane, is coming out.  So is "Devil's Gate," an Elder Races offering from Thea Harrison.  And as I just mentioned, Amanda Bonilla has "When Shadows Call."

The envy of 1900s society, Darian is the rich, beautiful wife of a prominent Californian doctor—but her life is far from perfect. For years, Darian has suffered at the hand of her cruel husband and yearned for an escape—one that she knows to be all but impossible.

But when an enigmatic stranger comes to call, Darian finds herself charmed by his seductive smile and the inexplicable connection she feels. And when he makes her a thrilling—yet frightening—proposition, Darian must decide if she’s strong enough to abandon the mortal world she knows and answer the shadow’s call…

If you're a UF or PNR fan, I happily recommend all of these series.  Very good stuff.

4. The countdown continues to the release of Once Burned by Jeaniene Frost. (It's just 26 days away!) To torture help us with the wait, we've now got a book trailer:

It's getting close!!

3. Two cover reveals to share with you. Here's the new one from Stacey Kennedy's Frostbite series:

The other is the next Abby Sinclair book by Allison Pang:

Mystically Bound is out in October.  And all I can say is that Kip and Tess better have some real-life sex in that book. Not almost-sex or fantasy-sex. Not dream-sex or ghost-sex.  REAL SEX, Stacey Kennedy.  Are you listening?

A Trace of Moonlight is also out in October.  And after the cliffhanger from A Sliver of Shadow, I am already super-excited to see what happens next. I have faith that Allison Pang will not disappoint.

2. You may or may not know this about me, but I love zombies.

I was so excited when The Walking Dead made it's debut on AMC.  I watched the first four episodes. I liked them.  And then the show went on hiatus for, like, a year.  And I never went back.  Should I?  I need input, guys.  AMC is doing a marathon of all the episodes July 7-8, and if it's worth it, I can catch up. In the meantime, check out this behind-the-scenes clip from filming of Season 3.

1. And it wouldn't be Friday without the Tumblr Photo(s) of the Week:

(**Photo removed to prevent copyright infringement**)

OK. That's it for now. The Shameless Summer Hop starts next Friday, which also happens to be my birthday.  Remember, real friends send friends dirty man-candy photos as birthday gifts.

XOXO
Jen