Review: Heart of Obsidian

Reviewed by Jen
 

Move over Kiss of Snow.  As much as I loved that book, Heart of Obsidian is even better.  Easily and completely my new favorite in the Psy-Changeling series. I'm going to try very hard not to spoil the story beyond a basic set-up, but I am going to mention the hero and heroine by name, so beware.

Kaleb Krychek has been this powerful enigma ever since the series began. He is cold and calculating.  But there is a fire under that ice that is positively molten.  He has led a life shaped by cruelty at the hands of his mentor.  He was brutalized. He never knew love or loyalty, until he met Sahara Kyriakus.  As children, they became the best of friends. She was his one solace... until she was ripped away.  He has spent the past seven years searching for her.  And now that he has her back, he will never let her go again.

There is so much passion and emotion in this book.  Kaleb's devotion to Sahara is so complete, so unbreakable, it's breathtaking.  He is willing to do anything --give anything-- be anything-- for this fragile, abused woman.  He would burn the world for her, and, frankly, he has the power to do it.  His memories of her have shaped his entire life.

Meanwhile, she has no memory of him at all. Years of torture have robbed her of so much, yet she knows him on a visceral level. She trusts him; she is drawn to him.  And as she heals, she begins to remember him in bits and pieces.

I love these two as individuals, but they are exponentially more amazing as a couple.  What they bring out in each other is the very best part of the book.  Their love is unconditional.  They do not try to change each other.  They simply are better people because of each other.  Kaleb is no saint; he never has been. But Sahara doesn't expect him to be. She SEES him and loves him anyway... no --not in spite of who he is, but BECAUSE of it.  He was forged in fire and it was what made him the man who owns her heart.  It's her unflinching love of his true self that has changed his life; it is the delicate string that makes him a man instead of a monster. 

I could gush forever on the dynamic of the relationship... on how amazingly Nalini Singh crafted this bleak, unbending man who holds on to his humanity with the ray of hope created by one woman's regard.  I could warn you to arm yourself with a fan to cool off from the OHMYGODHOT sex.  But I would be remiss if I didn't also at least mention two other major points. One: We finally learn the identity of the Ghost and it's revealed in fabulous fashion.  And two: the ending is huge.  It will change the course of the series.  It speaks to just how epic the romance is, however, that when the story is done, that's really all you'll be thinking about.

I would not change a thing about this book.  It was phenomenal. Go buy it right now.

Rating: A+

*ARC Provided by Berkley

Click to purchase:Amazon

Heart of Obsidian

by Nalini Singh

Release Date: June 4, 2013

Publisher: Berkley

Review: Wild Invitation

Reviewed by Jen
 

I really enjoyed this collection of Psy-Changeling short stories. Two have been previously released. The other two are brand new, including one on Lara and Walker!!

Beat of Temptation - Tamsyn has known Nate was her mate since she was 15 years-old.  But he was 25 and he knew she was too young for them to be together. He insisted that they wait. Now it's been four years and Tammy is at the end of her rope.  She is beginning to feel like Nate will never truly want her and it breaks her heart.

Of course, Nate does want her, but he is convinced he is doing the right thing by giving her time.  He is too wrapped up in his own ideas to see how he is hurting the young woman who he is supposed to love.  It was bittersweet reading in places, because Tammy is such a good person that I hated to see her question her worth. In fact, I wanted to toss a bucket of water on Nate more than once.  But these two have a great HEA ahead and I liked learning their origin story.  Plus, Nate did redeem himself a bit when he showed Tammy she was an "orchid kind of girl."

Stroke of Enticement - This is the first human - changeling couple combination I read in the series and I liked the change in dynamic.  Annie is human and has never completely physically recovered from an accident in her childhood.  Her leg was mangled and her flaw has left her a bit cut off from those around her.  She never expects to find the kind of connection she makes with Zach, the changeling uncle of one of her students. He recognizes her as his mate right away and works to woo her into his life.

The love was pretty instant here, which for Zach, I could write off as a bonding thing. But it was little harder to swallow from Annie.  The sex was really hot, though, and the romance was sweet.

Declaration of Courtship - This story was so, so good!   It features two Snow Dancer wolves who live in a different den than Hawke and those in the pack we already know.  Cooper is a lieutenant and is the dominant of the group.  And he's set his sights on Grace, one of the most submissive wolves in the pack.  He knows he'll have to go very slow with her, but she is worth the effort.  Grace can't believe Cooper is interested in her and her wolf is thrown by its need to submit.  She and Cooper have to work the dance just right to teach her wolf that it's safe to stand up to a man so powerful. 

I loved that despite their status in the pack, it's really Grace who hold all the cards here.  No matter how hard it is, Coop forces himself to hold back until she is ready.  --It's totally worth the wait, by the way.-- The sexual tension is hot and the romance is sweet.  (And the D/s elements of their relationship stay completely out of the bedroom.)   Loved it.

Texture of Intimacy - I was so disappointed when Lara & Walker's mating happened as a side plot in Kiss of Snow! I really wanted to see these two get undivided attention.  And now they have it, thanks to this novella.  It picks up the very night of their mating and follows them over the course of weeks as their relationship solidifies.

You might think because these two are mated at the beginning of the story that there is not much tension, and in some ways that is true.  We saw those first tentative steps of their mating dance already.  But there is still a lot of ground to cover as Walker learns to let down his guard and let Laura in.  This one may not have been as exciting as a new love story, but it was very gratifying since we already have a connection to the couple.  I am so glad we got to witness the next phase of their love story.

Overall, a great collection of stories that no Psy-Changeling fan will want to miss.

Rating: B+

*ARC Provided by Berkley

Click to purchase: Amazon

Wild Invitation

by Nalini Singh

Release Date: March 5, 2013

Publisher: Berkley

Psy-Changeling: Short Stories & Novellas

Four of these shorts are included in the Wild Invitation anthology. Others are found in anthologies done with other authors or as free shorts on Nalini Singh's website.


Beat of Temptation - Tamsyn has known Nate was her mate since she was 15 years-old.  But he was 25 and he knew she was too young for them to be together. He insisted that they wait. Now it's been four years and Tammy is at the end of her rope.  She is beginning to feel like Nate will never truly want her and it breaks her heart.

Of course, Nate does want her, but he is convinced he is doing the right thing by giving her time.  He is too wrapped up in his own ideas to see how he is hurting the young woman who he is supposed to love.  It was bittersweet reading in places, because Tammy is such a good person that I hated to see her question her worth. In fact, I wanted to toss a bucket of water on Nate more than once.  But these two have a great HEA ahead and I liked learning their origin story.  Plus, Nate did redeem himself a bit when he showed Tammy she was an "orchid kind of girl." (*Originally published in An Enchanted Season. Also published in Wild Invitation)

The Cannibal Princess - This one is super short.  Kind of a snapshot in the lives of Lucas & Sascha shortly after their mating.  The two are babysitting Tammy & Nate's twins and kind of reveling in domestic bliss.  It's not really long enough for me to have much of an opinion on. But I enjoyed what little of it there was. (*free online*)

Stroke of Enticement - This is the first human - changeling couple combination I've read and I liked the change in dynamic.  Annie is human and has never completely physically recovered from an accident in her childhood.  Her leg was mangled and her flaw has left her a bit cut off from those around her.  She never expects to find the kind of connection she makes with Zach, the changeling uncle of one of her students. He recognizes her as his mate right away and works to woo her into his life.

The love was pretty instant here, which for Zach, I could write off as a bonding thing. But it was little harder to swallow from Annie.  The sex was really hot, though, and the romance was sweet. (*Originally published in The Magical Christmas Cat. Also published in Wild Invitation.)

Movie Night - Another quickie... this one of Judd and Brenna, a few months after their mating. They are staying home to watch a movie and it's an opportunity for Judd to learn what he really likes.  (*free online*)

A Gift for Kit - The length of this one didn't stop it from tugging on my heartstrings. Here, Rina plans a special surprise for younger brother, Kit, to help celebrate his new rank of soldier -- a gift from their late parents. We get a little glimpse into their home life and backstory. Sweet.  (*free online*)

The Conversation - This short gives us a peek inside the rat culture.  Teijan is coming to realize that the deal he made with Dark River is working out better than he ever imagined. He only hoped to be left alone, but now the cats are sending him money from deals he helped foster.  (*free online*)

Whisper of Sin - When I first read this one, I had no idea it was a prequel, so it took me a bit of reading before I could place it in the timeline.  This is Emmett and Ria's story. If you've read any of the novels, you probably know Ria as one of the humans of the Dark River pack --and as Lucas' human assistance.  Here we find out that she was first exposed to the pack when she was attacked and nearly raped by the member of a human gang, hoping to score "protection money" from her family. Emmett and Dorian save her from disaster and an instant connection is born.

Emmett becomes her bodyguard and things heat up between them pretty quickly.  It amazes me how fast Nalini Singh can build sexual tension between her characters.  She definitely delivered here and reminded me once again why I love those leopards so much. (*Originally published in Burning Up.)

Wolf School - A deleted piece from Play of Passion.  It's just a very quick scene of Drew teaching young Ben to howl. (*free online*)

Declaration of Courtship - This story was so, so good!   It features two Snow Dancer wolves who live in a different den than Hawke and those in the pack we already know.  Cooper is a lieutenant and is the dominant of the group.  And he's set his sights on Grace, one of the most submissive wolves in the pack.  He knows he'll have to go very slow with her, but she is worth the effort.  Grace can't believe Cooper is interested in her and her wolf is thrown by its need to submit.  She and Cooper have to work the dance just right to teach her wolf that it's safe to stand up to a man so powerful. 

I loved that despite their status in the pack, it's really Grace who hold all the cards here.  Despite how hard it is, Coop forces himself to hold back until she is ready.  --It's totally worth the wait, by the way.-- The sexual tension is hot and the romance is sweet.  (And the D/s elements of their relationship stay completely out of the bedroom.)   Loved it. (*Originally published in Wild Invitation)

Texture of Intimacy - I was so disappointed when Lara & Walker's mating happened as a side plot in Kiss of Snow! I really wanted to see these two get undivided attention.  And now they have it, thanks to this novella.  It picks up the very night of their mating and follows them over the course of weeks as their relationship solidifies.

You might think because these two are mated at the beginning of the story that there is not much tension, and in some ways that is true.  We saw those first tentative steps of their mating dance already.  But there is still a lot of ground to cover as Walker learns to let down his guard and let Laura in.  This one may not have been as exciting as a new love story, but it was very gratifying since we already have a connection to the couple.  I am so glad we got to witness the next phase of their love story. (*Originally published in Wild Invitation)

A few additional shorts were published in Nalini Singh's free newsletter, including Christmas in the Kitchen, Poker Night, and Stalking Hawke.  All are short vignettes of life inside the Dark River and/or Snow Dancer packs.)

Review: Tangle of Need

Reviewed by Jen
 

This was not the best romance the Psy-Changeling series has to offer. Not by a mile. But I really still enjoyed the book.  There were so many other really great things going on, mostly with the characters we have already grown to know and love.

OK, let's talk about the romance first.  We first met Riaz back in Andrew & Indigo's book.  His life sucks in a big way, since he met his mate and she is already happily married to someone else.  He's come back to the den to lick his wounds and take solace in the pack.  Our heroine is Indigo's aunt, Adria.  She has finally broken up with Martin, her longtime partner in a highly dysfunctional relationship.  She was too dominant for him and he made her pay for the disparity with passive aggressive cruelty. Now she is starting over, but is afraid to risk her heart.

There's an attraction between Riaz and Adria right away, but Riaz feels like being with another woman is a betrayal to his true mate.  He punishes Adria for his attraction to her and constantly tries to put distance between them. It made him hard to like.  Eventually, they go the "friends with benefits" route, but feelings start to creep in, which ends up terrifying the both of them.

Riaz isn't a bad guy. He's stuck in a miserable position, but he treated Adria like garbage for a good chunk of the book.  It didn't make me a fan of their relationship. She was always trying to guard her heart, and who could blame her? She KNOWS another woman was meant for him.  It's also hard for the romance lover in me to know these two can never mate, even with the poignant reminder that humans have love without mating all the time.  Even though you know they'll end up together, it was just kind of a bummer for the most part.

Where the book shines, though, is when it puts its focus on the secondary characters.  We get to see a lot of Hawke and Sienna as they enjoy mated bliss. Their mating ceremony was amazing. It made me cry!  We also get a healthy dose of Mercy and Riley --another one of my favorite couples.  And we get to see them all come together as friends. The scenes with Riley and Hawke are among the best in the book. I laughed a lot. I felt so connected to these characters and their lives.  It was great storytelling.

And my review wouldn't be complete without a shoutout to the ongoing Psy storyline involving Kaleb, the Arrows, Pure Psy and the ghost.  The ending was phenomenal and I can only hope and pray that Kaleb's book is next! I can't wait.

P.S. "Pupcub" is now my favorite word. Ever.

Rating: B

Click to purchase: Amazon

Tangle of Need

by Nalini Singh

Release Date: May 29, 2012

Publisher: Berkley

Review: Kiss of Snow

Reviewed by Jen
 

I really hoped this book would be good.  There was so much build-up. What has it been, nine books??? Book after book of a snarly Hawke and an equally snarly Sienna.  Sexual tension.  A forbidden relationship.  After all of the teasing, it could have been so anticlimactic.  But is wasn't. (*Swoon*) I loved this story.  It met all of my expectations, kept me glued to the pages, and left me feeling utterly and completely satisfied.  Need more convincing? Keep reading.

As the story begins, Hawke is at his breaking point.  He needs sexual release, but there is only one woman he wants.  Unfortunately, he is still convinced that Sienna is too young for him. She's got other ideas.  She decides to go for broke and demands that he fish or cut bait. She shows him what he's missing, hoping that he finally decides to take what he wants.  And boy, does he.

Hawke still struggles with his feeling throughout the book.  He still feels a bit like a dirty old man for pursuing a 19 year-old (though I was never really clear on how old HE is. I'm thinking early 30s?)  Beyond that, he feels like she deserves things he can't give her. He is convinced he met and lost his mate as a child and that there is no hope he'll find that connection again.  In the meantime, Sienna is struggling with her growing powers. We finally learn what it means to be an X-Psy and why she is so dangerous --to both herself and others.

The dance between these two is just so great. I'm not usually a fan of a big age difference, but the tension and delivery on this romance pushed that aside.  It's so sexy and exciting and emotional.  I love Hawke.  He tried so hard to do the right thing, denying himself what he wanted.  But when he finally let himself have it --have her-- it was Sofa King hot to watch his passion unleash.  Sienna is a completely worthy heroine.  So full of fire (*snicker*).  The pairing is just made of awesome.

In the meantime, in true Psy-Changeling fashion, there is plenty of other conflict afoot.  Members of the Psy council are trying to crush the changelings.  We have to figure out, along with the Changelings, who the real enemies are.  In addition to a great battle, there's a sweet b-romance between Sienna's uncle Walker and Snow Dancer healer, Lara. (I would have liked a little novella or even a book on these two.) And! We rule out one of my contenders for the identity of the Ghost.

This is my new favorite in the series.  I don't know how Nalini Singh will top it, but I am happy to keep reading to see how she will try.

Rating: A

Click to purchase: Amazon

Kiss of Snow

by Nalini Singh

Release Date: May 31, 2011

Publisher: Berkley

Review: Play of Passion

Reviewed by Jen
 

It seems I am a sucker for the changeling romances in this series.  After two books featuring Psy and human couples, this installment was a welcome relief.  It had all the fire and passion of Mercy and Riley's book, with just a little less angst.

Indigo is the strongest alpha female in the Snow Dancer wolf pack and a top lieutenant.  Andrew has had a crush on her since he was a kid.  But he is all grown up now.  Drew is the tracker for the pack... dominant and powerful, but outside of the hierarchy.  He is friendly and charming, but lethal and cunning when necessary.  He knows he is not what Indigo has in mind for a mate, but he is tired of fighting his feelings.  He's ready to make her his own.

Indigo has never looked at Drew other than as a packmate and as Riley's little brother.  He is sweet and fun, but he's four years younger and a flirt.  But when he suddenly makes a move on her, it throws her off balance.  She doesn't want to think of him differently.  It confuses her wolf, because she knows she is more dominant.  Drew only gets harder and harder to resist, though, as he shows her why all the women of the pack love him.

This one was really good.  I liked seeing a different breed of alpha male.  One who likes to play and flirt and smile.  Don't get me wrong, I like my tortured and angsty heroes, but it was cool to see a powerful man who could still be fun and vulnerable, without it making him beta.  Compromise is a big theme of this book, for both main characters, and I liked that no one side had to bend more than the other.

As with all of her shifter stories, Nalini Singh plays the sexual element like a finely tuned instrument.  You can feel the pull between these two and the bedroom (and bathtub) scenes are scorching hot.  I also really liked how much the pack jumped in behind the romance.

Also exciting, Singh finally gives us a peek of Hawke and Sienna.  Yes, we've been leading up to it forever, but you can see the nut is about to crack.  Sienna is no longer a child and Hawke is clearly near his breaking point.  The age difference is a little bit troubling when I let myself think about it... so I try not to think about it and let the sexual tension take the reins.

The bigger picture continues to unfold with the Psy Council.  There is only a small portion of the book devoted to it, but there is at least one major development.  Can't wait to see how it all plays out.

Rating: B+

Click to purchase: Amazon

Play of Passion

by Nalini Singh

Release Date: November 2, 2010

Publisher: Berkley

Review: Bonds of Justice

Reviewed by Jen
 

They can't all be awesome.  This was probably one of my least favorites in the Psy-Changeling series.  It wasn't bad, but honestly, I am missing my sexy shifters. This is the second book in a row where neither half in the couple is changeling, and while it's cool that Nalini Singh wants to change things up, I'm ready to go back to Dark River... or Snow Dancer. Hell, one of the rats will even do at this point.

We first met Max back in Mine to Possess. He was the good cop who was working with Talin to find those missing Shine kids.  His heroine is Sophia, a J(ustice)-Psy. As the story begins, the two are working together to force a serial killer to reveal where he hid the bodies of his victims.  As a J, it's Sophia's job to look inside the memories of criminals and bring them to light.  But the job has fractured her psychic shields, and she is one step away from a total rehabilitation.

Fractures are also forming in her ability to maintain Silence, though a childhood trauma prevented it from ever truly allowing it to take hold to begin with.  She decides that with an expiration date on her life, she might as well act on the mutual attraction she shares with Max --especially after the two of them are paired on a second case-- this one, for Councilor Nikita Duncan. Someone is killing off Nikita's top advisers and making it look like suicide.  So Max & Sophia work to ferret out the bad guy, while they explore their feelings for each other.

I thought the relationship between Max and Sophia manifested much too quickly. It's one thing for a changeling to have a "mating" connection right away, but I just can't give the same kind of free pass to a human and Psy.  Max is this damaged guy who has never committed to a woman, but a bond is there instantly with Sophia. It doesn't ring true.  And speaking of his emotional damage, I was disappointed that this was not brought out further.  It was acknowledged, but I think there was a missed opportunity there to make him a real tortured hero.

As for Sophia, I didn't feel much personality from her.  It's like every Psy we meet has a bigger, badder problem that will not allow him/ her to escape the Psy-Net the way those before them could do.  I'm kind of over it. --I am intrigued, however with what is going on with Nikita --and Kaleb.  There is clearly more to Sascha's mom than meets the eye. And Kaleb's quarry?  Do tell!!!

This installment wasn't bad, just... not as good as the others.  No way I am giving up on this series, though.

Rating: C+

Click to purchase: Amazon

Bonds of Justice

by Nalini Singh

Release Date: July 6, 2010

Publisher: Berkley Sensation

Review: Blaze of Memory

Reviewed by Jen
 

As I sat down to read this and I looked over the blurb, the first though that occurred to me was: Who the hell are Dev and Katya?  It didn't take me long to put the pieces together. Despite my fears, these are not new characters... just a couple that we haven't seen in awhile.

We met Dev in Mine to Possess (Talin & Clay's book.)  He is the leader of Shine, group of Psy "Forgotten," working to find children of their kind who were neglected or abused and unaware of their heritage.  Katya is actually Ekaterina, Ashaya's assistant who was presumed dead at the end of Hostage to Pleasure.   Obviously, she is still alive, but not the woman she once was.

The councilor, Ming, has had Katya all this time. He's broken her mind, learned all of her secrets, and dumped her on Dev's doorstep. She has an embedded impulse to kill him, though she doesn't remember it.  In fact, she doesn't remember anything at first --not even who she is.  Dev is too smart to ignore the possibility she is a Trojan horse, but her abuse brings out all of his protective instincts.  He takes her into his own personal custody as they try to unravel the mysteries of her mind --and eventually, how to set her free from what Ming has done to her.

I wasn't sure I was going to like a story with both a Psy hero and heroine.  After all, those changeling men and all their touching make these stories so hot.  But Dev isn't a regular Psy. He has never known Silence, though his metallic abilities give him a cool clarity most of the Forgotten lack.  And since the torture cracked Katya's conditioning wide open, she is emotional too. Maybe even more so than Dev.

It's hard at times, watching the dichotomy of Dev the man, and Dev the Shine leader.  Sometimes, he has to be a real dick to Katya.  But I understand it. So does she.  It's hot to watch her earnest feelings and sexuality break down his barriers.   And despite my reservations about leaving the changeling packs, the book actually provided a nice change of pace.  We got to see an entirely new side to this world, while still maintaining links to the people we know and love.

Without spoiling the particulars, I'll tell you that this book made me cry in the end.  (A first for the series.) That's always a sign that the author has made me invest in the characters.   And Nalini Singh has pulled me even further into her web. Her Arrows fascinate me. (I want a Vasic story!! Tell me more about Aden! The Ghost! Xavier.)  It's so clear to me why everyone loves this series... cheesy covers, aside.

Rating: B+

Click to purchase: Amazon

Blaze of Memory

by Nalini Singh

Release Date:November 3, 2009

Publisher: Berkley Sensation

Review: Branded by Fire

Reviewed by Jen
 

Good gracious almighty, this one was hawt.  For the first time in her Psy-Changeling series, Nalini Singh pairs two changelings together. And the result is scorching.  We've seen hints in previous installments that a Mercy-Riley pairing was inevitable, but I honestly never thought it would be this good.

Mercy is a sentinel for the Dark River leopard pack.  Riley is a lieutenant for the wolf Snow Dancers.  They work together as the liaison team for the two packs, but they drive each other crazy.  Mercy is fiery and bold.  Riley is steady and sure, so difficult to ruffle, he's earned the nickname "the Wall."  Neither ever imagined the passion that was lurking beneath the surface between them.

As the story begins, Mercy is at the end of her rope. It's been months since she has been with a man and has started to fear that she would never find the right guy to be her mate.  One too dominant would stifle her, while one too submissive wouldn't measure up for her cat.  When her need reaches a fever pitch, Riley is only too happen to step in and scratch her itch.

What starts out as a "one shot deal" becomes a fire that consumes them both.  Riley gets on board pretty fast, but Mercy fights it.  She knows how possessive alpha males are --and she is too dominant to deal with the fallout.  Before she knows it, though, she is craving Riley as much as he craves her.

The sex is phenomenal from the very beginning and it stays that way throughout the book. This story is much more sexual throughout than the others, and it really, really works. But that's not all there is to Mercy and Riley. I loved watching them find places for the other in their lives... watching them find the compromises necessary to work as mates.

In the meantime, the Human Alliance is flexing its muscle as a threat to be reckoned with. As always, Kaleb and the other members of the Psy Council remain a force.  And the inevitable pairing of Hawke and Sienna is beginning to pick up steam.  With perhaps a third party getting into the mix. Color me intrigued, Kit.

I enjoyed this one a lot. One of my favorites in the series.  Rrrraw.

Rating: A-

Click to purchase: Amazon

Branded by Fire

by Nalini Singh

Release Date: May 22, 2009

Publisher: Berkley Sensation

Review: Hostage to Pleasure

Reviewed by Jen
 

Poor Dorian. He's been through so much.  The powerful changeling sentinel has never been able to shift. He carries a leopard within him, but a genetic abnormality keeps him from letting his cat come out.  Even worse, his sister was killed a couple of years ago by a sadistic Psy serial killer. It was an emotional wound that nearly destroyed him and still plagues him to this day. It's also made him hate the Psy and see them as the enemy.

Of course, that means his mate would be Psy! Ashaya is the brilliant Psy geneticist who has been forced to work on a terrible implant project by the Council.  She struck a deal with the changelings in the last book and now the Dark River pack is coming through on its end... to get her little boy out of the Council's clutches.  Once they do, Ashaya fakes her own death to break free and reunite with her child.

The council wants her back, but even more so, her twisted twin sister does too. Ashaya takes refuge with Dark River and finds herself twisted up with sentinel who saved her child and haunts her dreams.

I liked this one ok, but not as much as the last two.  Dorian is really close to the edge and, at times, difficult to like.  He's not a bad guy or anything, but I just didn't have a strong emotional connection to him... or the romance.  I wanted them to get together, but my heart wasn't in it the way it was for Clay and Tally ... nor was I dying for the sex the way I was for Judd and Brenna.   Maybe it's because neither Dorian nor Ashaya wanted to want the other.  Both fought the mating pull tooth and nail. And even once it was inevitable, it made Dorian feel angry and guilty... while Ashaya continued to fight against feeling anything. As for Ashaya, I didn't feel much of anything towards her at all. She's smart. She loves her kid. She feels responsible for her sister. And.... ?? And that's it. I got nothing else.  She doesn't have much in the way of personality.

The resolution was satisfying, though pretty predictable.  I did like the continuing overall storyline with the Psy council and human revolutionaries.   I am interested in what's happening with Henry and Kaleb... and very intrigued by Vasic.  I would like more of him, please!

Rating: B-

Click to purchase: Amazon

Hostage to Pleasure

by Nalini Singh

Release Date: September 2, 2008

Publisher: Berkley Sensation

Review: Mine to Possess

Reviewed by Jen
 

This series just gets better and better! As much as I loved Judd (in Caressed by Ice,) I enjoyed this book even more than the last. Nalini Singh breaks the mold a bit with this pairing. Where all of our previous couples were a mix of Psy and changeling, here she features a changeling/ human pair.  They have deep and troubled history with each other that has plagued each of them for years.

Clay and Talin were best friends as children.  Both were dealing with difficulties in their home lives and each found much needed solace in the other. Until Clay found out Tally was being abused by her foster father, and he proceeded to rip the man to shreds in front of her eyes.  He was sent to juvie and she was shipped off to another family to try to start over.  Traumatized by the violence, Tally convinced her social worker to tell Clay she had died, so when he got out he had no chance to find her.

Now grown, Tally needs help and she seeks Clay out.  She works with at-risk kids and someone is kidnapping and killing them.  She reaches out to Clay, knowing if anyone can track the killer and recover the surviving kids, it's him.

Tally's return completely blindsides him. He is thrilled that the love of his life has returned, but heartbroken at how she ran from him in the first place.  Of course, no matter what sadness and anger surface, he can't turn his back on her.  And slowly, they rekindle the deep connection they always had between them.

The two still care deeply for each other, but there is so much to work through: what Clay did those years ago, Tally's abuse, her rejection of him... oh yeah, and the fact that she is dying.  There is so much delicious angst.  And it IS delicious.  No matter what other feelings have Clay knotted up, ultimately, he loves Tally in a deep, constant and abiding way that is undeniable.  I loved watching his struggle between his animal and human sides... and the thawing of his frozen heart.

I didn't love Tally quite as much. She hurt Clay a lot. But she endured a lot too.  It wasn't really fair how much she put on his shoulders, but at the same time, she was very young and very traumatized.  I desperately wanted them to find their way to each other, because they both needed it so much!

This book wasn't quite as sexually focused for me as the last one, but it was very, very emotionally engaging.  And there was a solid plot surrounding the kidnapping that tied in seamlessly with the larger storyline involving the Psy's plan to create a hive mind.  The fabulous Dark River leopard pack is featured prominently, from previous couples like Lucas and Sacsha --and Faith and Vaughn-- to great side characters who are itching to have their own stories told, like Dorian, Kaleb, and the mysterious Ghost.

Simply put, it was fantastic.  Bring on book 5!

Rating: A

Click to purchase: Amazon

Mine to Possess

by Nalini Singh

Release Date: February 5, 2008

Publisher: Berkley Sensation

Review: Caressed by Ice

Reviewed by Jen
 

Now I see what all of the fuss was about.  I liked the first two Psy Changeling installments well enough, but I absolutely loved this one.  And I owe it all to a delicious hero named Judd Lauren.

Judd isn't just Psy. He is one of the legendary Arrows.  Before his family dropped out of Psy Net, he was one of a small band of elite mercenaries, determined at all cost to protect Silence.  But when his family was marked for rehabilitation, he chose to leave the Net behind.  But he didn't abandon his life as a killer.  Judd works with a mysterious Psy known only as the Ghost, tracking the Council and destroying their nefarious plans.  At the same time, he lives among the SnowDancer wolf pack.  That's where Brenna came into his life.

Brenna is still healing from horrific torture at the hands of the Psy serial killer in Slave to Sensation. Judd was among the group who rescued her. But more than that, he does what no other man can do... he makes her feel safe.  Judd tries to deny that the attraction between them is mutual.  He clings to his Silence like a lifeline.  Whenever he feels pangs of emotion, they are accompanied by intense pain.  And he welcomes it because he fears if he ever falls too far, he will go mad.

Of course, Judd's fight is fruitless, but it is absolutely delicious watching him succumb.  Brenna's affections are so sincere and her need for him so great, it impossible not to root for them to get together. Add to that, her ongoing efforts to put her life back together, two hugely overprotective brothers, and a continuing plot to take her out by her assailant's accomplice, and there is not a dull moment.  The sexual tension is through the roof --and did I mention, Judd is a virgin hero?? ((**swoon**)) (**thud**)) So. Hot.

The world-building is only getting better here. Clearer. And the overall arc is falling into place.  The secondary characters are getting stronger.  And couples from the previous stories are featured throughout.  If the series is able to hold on to this level of awesome, you'll have to pry me off of it with a stick.

(The covers, however, are kind of cheesy.)

Rating: A-

Click to purchase: Amazon

Caressed by Ice

by Nalini Singh

Release Date: September 4, 2007

Publisher: Berkley Sensation

Review: Visions of Heat

Reviewed by Jen
 

I can't say I enjoyed this second installment in the Psy-Changeling series quite as much as I liked the first.  "What changed?" you may ask. Well, not very much. And therein lies the problem. In many ways, it felt a lot like I was reading the same book all over again.

The premise: Sascha Faith is a powerful cardinal of the Psy race.  Their people are bred to eschew emotion, to achieve a calm equilibrium and focus on the power of their minds.  Only, our heroine's powers are not quite right.  She fears that if she can't get a grip on her backfiring talents, the Psy Council will figure her out and mark her for "rehabilitation."

Lucas Vaughn is a powerful changeling... a shapeshifter with a heartbreaking past. He has survived his adversity, but the heartaches involved have never truly gone away.  He is shocked when he finds himself drawn to a Psy.  But the attraction between them can't be denied.  In the meantime, a serial killer is targeting his next victim and only Sascha Faith can stop him. Using her powers, she puts herself at risk, navigating the Psy-Net and dealing with the treacherous council, in order to save the next victim and avenge those who have come before her.

Ahem.  Sound familiar?

The details were different.  Vaughn is a jaguar instead of a leopard and he is a sentinel as opposed to the Alpha of the pack.  Faith isn't an E(mpath)-Psy like Sascha, but an F-Psy that can foresee the future.  And instead of a business deal drawing our couple together, Faith meets Vaughn when she seeks out Sascha to find answers about her faulty powers.  Oh yeah, and Faith is even more sensitive to touch and feelings than Sascha was.  And there endeth the differences.

I still liked it.  Maybe I would have liked it a lot if I hadn't just read its book-twin the day before.  I can only hope that the series opens up and spreads its wings a little in future installments. I have faith. All of my book-buddies love this series and I wouldn't have gotten so many recommendations if it gets stale and stays that way.  Therefore, I'm gonna give book three a try and hope for the best.

Rating: B- (*ducks head*)

Click to purchase: Amazon

Visions of Heat

by Nalini Singh

Release Date: March 6, 2007

Publisher: Berkley Sensation

Review: Slave to Sensation

Reviewed by Jen
 

It seems like people have been telling me for ages that I needed to read this series... and it turns out, they were right.  It is fast paced and sexy, with intriguing characters and cool world-building.  Now that I have started these books, I am going to have a hard time keeping myself from reading them all back-to-back.

This first installment provides the set-up for the series.  The world consists of three types of beings: humans, changeling, and Psy.  The changelings are shifters: passionate and fiery with some of the traits of their animals.  The Psy are cerebral. They wield various psychic gifts and link together in a group consciousness called the Psy-Net.  And for generations, they have worked to weed out emotions of any kind.  If any Psy shows evidence of feelings, they are "rehabilitated" --a nice way of saying, lobotomized.

Sascha has always known she was unlike her Psy brethren and she has worked her entire life to hide it.  That suddenly gets harder when a work arrangement thrusts changeling alpha Lucas into her orbit. She is attracted to him like she has never been to any man.  He is pretty hot for her too. But his motives for getting close to her are more complex.  The changelings know that there is a Psy serial killer on the loose, targeting shifters.  Lucas hopes Sascha can give him enough insight into her people to help him figure out why they are covering up the murders --and how to catch the killer.

I really enjoyed watching Lucas tear down the walls Sascha worked so hard to build around herself.   He is both playful and sexy, powerful, protective, and possessive.  But he doesn't cross the line into alpha-hole.  Not only is his romance with her satisfying, so are the bonds of family she forms with his pack. It's very nice to see her finally get the love she has always craved.  And to learn that she is so much more than anyone ever predicted.

We're introduced to a wealth of secondary characters that --no doubt-- will all be the heroes and heroines of future books.  And I am very excited to see where Nalini Singh takes their stories.

The book isn't perfect. I'll admit I got lost a couple of times as Sascha went into detail about her psychic exploits inside PsyNet, but at a certain point I just wrote it off as "sneaky psychic stuff" and called it a day.  But overall, I liked it a lot... and can't wait to continue on in the series.

Rating: B

Click to purchase: Amazon

Slave to Sensation

by Nalini Singh

Release Date: September 5, 2006

Publisher: Berkley Sensation

Series Reading Order: Psy-Changeling

This is the reading order for the Psy-Changeling series by Nalini Singh:

• *Beat of Temptation  (Tammy & Nate) 
• *Whisper of Sin  (Ria & Emmett)
• Slave to Sensation  (Sascha & Lucas)
• **The Cannibal Princess (Sascha & Lucas)
• Visions of Heat  (Faith & Vaughn)
• Caressed by Ice  (Brenna & Judd)
• *Stroke of Enticement  (Annie & Zach)
• Mine to Possess  (Talin & Clay)
• **Movie Night  (Brenna & Judd)
• Hostage to Pleasure  (Ashaya & Dorian)
• **A Gift for Kit (Kit)
• Branded by Fire (Mercy & Riley)
• Blaze of Memory (Katya & Dev)
• **A Conversation (The Rats/ Teijan)
• **Christmas in the Kitchen (Dark River leopards)
• Bonds of Justice (Sophia & Max)
• Play of Passion  (Indigo & Andrew)
• **Wolf School  (Snow Dancers/ Drew/ Ben)
• *Declaration of Courtship  (Grace & Cooper)
• Kiss of Snow  (Sienna & Hawke)
• *Texture of Intimacy  (Lara & Walker)
• Tangle of Need  (Adria & Riaz)
• **Poker Night 
• Heart of Obsidian  (June 2013)

*Denotes novella
**Denotes free short story/ deleted scene provided by author

"Whisper of Sin" is listed as story 8.5 in the series, but takes place chronologically before Slave to Sensation.

Favorites From... Nalini Singh

Nalini Singh

I've enjoyed Joss Ware's ENVY series since I first read Embrace the Night Eternal (which is actually the second book in the series - of course, I then had to go and read book 1!).

It's set in a post-apocalyptic world (starting about 50 years from the apocalyptic event), and features a great cast, plus a really cool concept about how the apocalypse happened. There's action, adventure, romance, and some creepy zombies who go around saying something that makes no sense...until it does. ;-)

It's definitely a series I would recommend to paranormal romance fans. While there is a continuing backstory, each romance stands on its own.

I hope those of you who decide to try this series enjoy it!

Thank you to Nalini Singh for sharing her recommendation today.  I asked Nalini to participate in this feature because her Guild Hunter books are sooo good.  The first three center on the Archangel Raphael and Elena, the woman who has captured his ancient, bad-ass heart. Later stories feature other angels or vampires in his circle.  Nalini's also the author of the popular Psy-Changeling series. Both that series and the Guild Hunters are recommended reads by other authors taking part in Favorites From My Favorites. In fact, Nalini was recommended three times... more than any other author.

Now, here is your chance to try Nalini's recommendation. Just fill out the Rafflecopter form below to enter to win the first book in the Envy Chronicles, Beyond the Night. This one is US/CAN.

Be sure to check out all of the Favorites From My Favorites posts and giveaways this month, by clicking here.

Read more »

Live Chat with Ilona Andrews, Nalini Singh & Katie MacAlister

Earlier today, I sat in on a great live chat with Ilona Andrews, Katie MacAlister and Nalini Singh. Here are some of the highlights. Sorry if I missed anything!

Q. Will we see a Curran POV book or novella?

IA. It's being worked on

Q. Why can't Laura and Walker have their own book?

NS. Their story was too connected to Hawke and Sienna. But they will have a novella next year.

Q. Will Katie ever write about the Blue Dragons?

KM. Probably at some point.

Q. Will there be any more books like Silver Shark or Alphas?

IA. Yes, probably in ebook.

Q. Will there be any more Light Dragons?

KM. Yes, but only as secondary characters.

Q. Will we get a book for Venom and Sorrow?

NS. They are not a couple yet. We'll see.

Q. Will Kristoff and Pia have a baby?

KM. Don't know

Q. Will Nalini talk about the origins of her angels?

NS. That will be explored later in the series.

Q. Can we dream of a Julie spinoff?

Gordon: "You can dream... Yes it will be YA and we will make tons of money." Ilona: "We have no plans." Gordon: "That's not true."

Q. Does Katie have a new YA series coming out?

KM. Not really

Q. Will Dragons and mates mix up with Dark Ones and Beloveds?

KM. Nobody wants to see that.

Q. Have any of Enrique's victims except Brenna survived?

NS. I will leave you to wonder.

Q. Will we find out more about Vivek and if he will become a vamp?

NS. Yes we will.

Q. In an ultimate fight between Kaleb and the Ghost, who would win?

NS. I can't answer that! (*laughs*)

Q. If Julie had a book, would the male lead be Derek or Asciano?

IA: You'll have to read the book. It could go either way.

Q. Gordon, what's it like being a guy in a female dominated genre?

Gordon: The fact that the books are under Ilona's name should tell you.

Q. Will we find out how the Duke & Duchess met?

IA. We would have to write a prequel.

Q. Can Gordon give any spoilers?

Gordon: Aunt Bee and Mahon elope.

Q. Will Katie write about another dishy Greek guy in the future?

KM. Yes

Q. Will we get an Ilium book or short story?

NS. A book, not a novella, but I am waiting on the right story.

Q. If Kate and Curran had a biological child, would it be a lycanthrope or would the magic in Kate's blood be too strong?

IA. Read the book. (Is this a spoiler?)

Q. Will Katie write another historical?

KM. If I have time.

Q. When will the next Psy/Changeling book be out?

NS. June. I can tell you nothing.

Q. Will Kostya have his own set in the dragon books?

KM. Yes

And in a tangent about Jim and Dali, Ilona says Kate & Curran go off for a spell, leaving Jim as the beast lord. Interesting! There were a few other questions too... and we didn't get to mine (sad face) --but the chat was lots of fun. A big thanks to the authors for taking the time to talk with fans!

5 for Friday - September 7

Happy Friday!! My spirits are high, as I count down the days until the Sons of Anarchy premiere on Tuesday. Set your DVR.  It's the first of my shows to start up for the new season.  I'm going to try out Revolution on NBC on the 17th. And I am super-excited for Supernatural (10/3) and then The Vampire Diaries the week after. Squee!!


5. While we are talking about The Vampire Diaries, I will admit without reservation that this show is one of my biggest guilty pleasures. And the new trailer is out!! Take a look

ZOMG. I am so Team-Damon.  I don't understand how anyone can root for Stefan.  These producers need to give me what I want!!!! By the way, I have never read these books and I don't want to. Season four of TVD premieres October 11th on the CW.

4. Thea Harrison has released the blurb for her upcoming Elder Races novella, Hunter's Season and she is giving away ARCs!

A Novella of the Elder Races

As a palace guard and assassin for the Dark Fae, Xanthe always wore a mask, hiding her emotions to do her duty. But when her identity is compromised, she trades undercover work for guarding Queen Niniane—a position that often brings her in contact with Chancellor Aubrey Riordan.

Aubrey’s trust is shattered. A year ago his wife tried to assassinate their new queen in his name, a betrayal of everything he believes in. And now an attack on his life is proof the dark conspiracy is not yet over. Although injured and weak, Aubrey can’t help but be drawn to this shy assassin and loyal protector. Xanthe is everything Naida wasn’t, and the passion she stirs in him is something he thought had long passed him by.

Warning: Take a man recovering from an assassination attempt, the assassin sworn to protect him, add in a magical Tarot card deck and an isolated cabin, and watch the sparks fly!

Click this link to get the deets on how you can win a copy --or just come back here on September 24th. Thea will be answering my questions about the series and giving away the novella.

3. Another ARC giveaway you need to check out: Steel's Edge from Ilona Andrews. It's the latest in the Edge series.

You can get details on how to win on Ilona's blog. And while we are talking about Ilona... she, Gordon, Nalini Singh and Katie MacAlistar are having a big live chat Tuesday at 3pm EST. Click here to join in!

2. Registration is now open for the 2013 RT Convention in Kansas City.

The con runs from May 1-5.  And I have already booked my room and secured a roommate.  I had such a great time at AAD this year, I can't wait to expand my convention horizons. If you are going this year, let me know, so we can visit in person!

1. And finally, a little funny to help kick your weekend off right. Check out some of the Greatest Movie Insults of All Time.

"If I had a dick, this is where I'd tell you to suck it." God bless you, Betty White.  God bless you.

XOXO,
Jen

Review: Archangel's Storm

Reviewed by Jen
 

Poor Jason.  The mysterious spymaster for the Archangel Raphael is a man who carries a terrible past.  In a fit of madness, his father killed his mother, then killed himself and left young Jason to clean up the mess left behind.  If the heartbreak and gore weren't bad enough, the immature angel was alone on a secluded island and it would be decades before his wings were strong enough to fly him away. Those events and the ensuing years of isolation made him into the hardened shell of a man that he is today.

The story begins with the murder of Eris, the imprisoned consort of the Archangel Neha.  To keep her grief from spiraling out of control onto an unsuspecting population, Raphael sends Jason to find the killer so that Neha can get justice.  The only way she will let him into her territory, though, is if he agrees to a blood bond with her niece, Mahiya.

The princess is, and always has been, nothing more than a pawn to her aunt. She is the living proof of Eris' infidelity with Neha's sister.  Mahiya has led a lonely life, marked by Neha's resentment and anger.  All she wants is a way out of her hostile environment and she hopes that Jason's presence will help her find a way to do that.

A relationship between Jason and Mahiya is very slow to develop.  This is only exacerbated by the POV jumps to Dmitri and Honor. I'm glad things are going so well for them, but it frustrated me every time we were pulled out of Jason's story for a random chapter about them.

I kept waiting for Nalini Singh to give me the kind of emotional pull I've felt in her other books, but I have to admit, I was disappointed. Jason seemed like the ideal candidate to be a tortured hero, but he is so closed off.  I thought, in time, the floodgates would open, but they didn't.  Mahiya acts like she could love enough for the both of them, but it made the romance lacking.  It saddened me that she didn't think she deserved more.

That's not to say there weren't good things in the book.  When Singh finally gave us the full flashback on Jason's worst moment, I cried.  Not only that, but the murder mystery was interesting as it unfolded and the series story arc continued to build.  I just wanted more from the central romance. I wanted Jason's frozen heart to fill to bursting the way Dmitri's did.   I wanted... more.

Rating: B-

*ARC Provided by Berkley

Click to purchase: Amazon

Archangel's Storm

by Nalini Singh

Release Date: September 4, 2012

Publisher: Berkley

5 for Friday - July 6

Happy Friday! I'm finally over my Magic Mike hangover and I have learned two very important lessons.  One: it's bad enough to drunk-dial or drunk-tweet, but it's even less of a good idea to pull out the camcorder and post your drunken monologue-slash-movie-review online... even if your enabler-friends say it is funny.  And two: if you are foolish enough to do this anyway, for the love of God, disable the comments on YouTube.  Days after my review posted, someone left the comment, "Lonely drunk older woman. Yuck."  I wanted to shout, "I'm not lonely!!" But I thought better of a flame war with some kid out in cyberspace. (I'm still crying on the inside and the comments are, indeed, now disabled.)

In other news, I decided to go ahead and start the Crossfire series and I really ended up enjoying Bared to You. Thanks to everyone who encouraged me to give it a try!!

5. I read and Loved Elizabeth Hoyt's Thief of Shadows with a capital-L. Now she is spilling the deets on the next Maiden Lane book, Lord of Darkness, out in February.

WHEN STRANGERS IN THE NIGHT
He lives in the shadows. The mysterious masked avenger known as the Ghost of St. Giles, his only goal is to protect the innocent of London. Until the night he confronts a fearless lady pointing a pistol at his head—and realizes she is his wife . . .

BECOME LOVERS...
Lady Margaret Reading has vowed to kill the Ghost of St. Giles—the man who murdered her one true love. Returning to London, and the man she hasn’t seen since their wedding day, Margaret does not recognize the man behind the mask. Fierce, commanding, and dangerous, the notorious Ghost of St. Giles is everything she feared he would be—and so much more . . .

DESIRE IS THE ULTIMATE DANGER
When passion flares these two intimate strangers can't keep from revealing more of themselves than they had ever planned. But when Margaret learns the truth—that the Ghost is her husband, Godric St. John—the game is up and the players must surrender . . . to the temptation that could destroy them both.

4. A tidbit for fans of Sherrilyn Kenyon's Dark Hunter series.  According to her Facebook page, her next Dark Hunter book may be about Acheron's brother Styxx.

This excites me. I'm ready to get back into the Acheron side of the DH world!!

3. Laura Wright's 4th book in her Mark of the Vampire series, Eternal Beast,  is coming soon.  Now she has released a book trailer.

I'm excited to read Gray & Dillon's story!  It's out August 7.

2. I love Kelly Meding's Dreg City books.  But I've never tried her MetaWars series.  There's no time like the present, though. Pocket After Dark is featuring book one, Trance, for free on their website this month!

Kelly Meding’s war-ravaged Los Angeles is ground zero for the ultimate Meta human showdown in this sexy, action-packed new series.

Fifteen years ago, Teresa “Trance” West was a skilled telepath and a proud member of the Ranger Corps. But ever since the Rangers were inexplicably rendered powerless at the climax of the devastating Meta War, she’s bounced from one dead-end job to another. Now her powers have reappeared just as mysteriously as they vanished— only they’re completely transformed and more potent than ever. And they’re threatening to destroy her.

Trance heads to Los Angeles to track down the surviving Rangers and discover who restored her powers—and why—but a phantom enemy is determined to kill them before they can reassemble. As they dodge his deadly attacks and come to terms with their new role as heroes, Trance and the rest of the team set out to annihilate the sinister madman . . . only to discover their own powers are his greatest weapons.

If you like it, book two, Changeling, just came out June 26.

1. Here's a big one for Guild Hunter fans. Nalini Singh is holding a giveaway for three ARCs of Archangel's Storm.

I love the Guild Hunter covers, don't you?? This is Jason's book, out September 4th. Scoot over to her blog to enter. The contest runs through July 20th.

*Bonus Items*
Thea Harrison has revealed the cover art for her next Elder Races novella. And Moira Rogers has a new one in the Last Call series.

What do we think?  Hunter's Season is out September 18th.  No release date yet for Firecracker.


Have a great weekend!

XOXO
Jen

P.S. The contest winner is JenM.  Jen, send me an email and I'll hook you up with your prize.