My Most Anticipated Books of 2012

It's not even Halloween yet and I've already got my sights set on the books coming out next year.  (Yes, I know I have a problem, but admitting your addiction is the first step, right?)  Here are some of the books I am dying to get my hands on.

Lothaire

by Kresley Cole 

Despite the fact that Paul Marron is all wrong for the cover, I can't wait to get my mitts on this.  It seems like forever since the last Immortals After Dark book. (It was February.) And this is the first one that will be released in hardback. Lothaire is a sexy vampire, sort-of villain, who is as beautiful as he is deadly.  We saw quite a bit of him in Dreams of a Dark Warrior, but now is his chance to get naked really shine.  Expected Release: January 10, 2012. Pre-Order from Amazon

Horizon

by Sophie Littlefield

I liked Aftertime... but I loved Rebirth.  This adult post-apocalyptic trilogy may feature zombies, but it really tells a very human story.  The main character, Cass, is utterly flawed, but she is a survivor.  She is a mother, willing to do anything for her child. She is weak and strong... a seductress and a fighter. I need to see whether her future lies with Smoke or Dor... if her crumbling world even has a future at all. Expected Release: January 24, 2012. Pre-Order from Amazon

A Perfect Blood

by Kim Harrison

I am listing these books in order of release date, but this is the number one book that I am lusting for.  Pale Demon has been my absolute favorite book in the Hollows series by far.  We finally got an indication that a relationship between Rachel and Trent could really happen.  Rachel is stronger than she has ever been and Ivy seems to have finally stopped trying to get into her pants.  We are learning more about the Ever-After.  Al kissed Rachel.  Who knows what will happen next?  I. Can't. Wait. Expected Release: February 21, 2012. Pre-Order from Amazon

The Darkest Seduction

by Gena Showalter

Poor Paris is finally getting his happy ending in this latest installment in the Lords of the Underworld series.  The man who carries the demon of Promiscuity has been miserable ever since his fated woman died a few books back. Now he and Sienna get their chance to be together.  Will she continue to carry the demon of Wrath? And just how much sex are they going to have?  He has to do it all the time, after all. Expected Release: February 21, 2012. Pre-Order from Amazon

Once Burned

by Jeaniene Frost

This is the first of two books featuring Vlad in the Night Huntress world.  I am one of the many fans who have been mooning over the sexy firestarter for ages.  I love Cat and Bones, but I'm ready for a new romance and I have no doubt Frost will deliver. Expected Release: March 27, 2012 June 26, 2012. Pre-Order from Amazon.

Gunmetal Magic

by Ilona Andrews

I don't know much about this except that it's Andrea and Raphael's book from the Kate Daniels series.  I loved their short story, "Magic Mourns" and their estrangement broke my heart in Magic Slays.  Andrews has said it involves Egyptian mythology, but I don't need details to know that it's an auto-buy.  Expected Release: May 31, 2012 August 2012.Pre-Order from Amazon.

13

by Kelley Armstrong

I am a huge fan of the Otherworld series and this is the 13th and final chapter.  All of Armstrong's wonderful characters are coming together for one last explosive battle, which was set up in Spell Bound.   You couldn't pay me to miss this one. Expected Release: July 24, 2012. Pre-Order from Amazon.

Before you ask me if I forgot Lover Reborn, the answer is no. I'm still sulking that Tohr gets his book before my beloved Qhay.  Of course, I'll read it, but I need to stew about this.

What about you? What big releases are you looking forward to in 2012? 

Review: Unclaimed

Reviewed by Jen
 

Sir Mark is the toast of London. The book he wrote on the value of chastity is a smash hit.  His every move is followed; he is mobbed in the streets.  Men want to be like him and women just want him.  But his favor is elusive... not just because of his celebrity, but because of his chastity and virginity.

The only thing Jessica wants from Mark is to successfully tarnish his reputation.  She is a courtesan, but she desires freedom from that life. And her former protector has offered her a lot of money to ruin Mark. So she insinuates herself into Mark's quiet hometown, where he is planning a vacation from London. Mark is instantly drawn to her, in part, because of her beauty. But what's even more alluring about her is her fiery personality. As he gets to know her, she becomes even more attractive to him, because she seems to truly see through his reputation, to the man beneath.

This was a really good book.  The sexual tension between these two is outstanding, and the fact that the man was the hold-out gave it all a refreshing twist.  Jessica is broken on many levels.  The how's and why's of it are slowly uncovered, making her sympathetic despite her schemes.  And Mark has dark shadows in his own past, which he must deal with at the same time he must address the widespread effects of his chastity campaign... a campaign which has been twisted to something very different than he first intended.

I loved the way Milan handled Mark's virginity.  He could have come off as prissy or repressed, but he wasn't.  He was sexy and strong; he acknowledged his lust. He owned it.  And he was all-the-more hot because of it.

“It cheapens what I’ve accomplished,” Mark said, “to imagine me a saint. To believe I am untempted, that I pass through this life without feeling lust or want or desire. I said it in the first chapter of my book, and yet nobody seems to believe me. Chastity is hard. ”

“I hadn’t thought—”

“I want. I lust. I desire.” He scrubbed his hand through sandy blond hair at that, shaking his head. “No. You’re right. You don’t deserve euphemisms. I want you. I lust after you. I desire you. ”

The happy ending was a little long in playing out, maybe taking an extra twist or turn more than was really necessary.  But when it was all said and done, I was satisfied.  And it makes me want to go back and read Unveiled, to get the story of Mark's brother Ash. Toss one more book onto my TBR pile.  4 1/2 stars.

*ARC Provided by NetGalley

Click to purchase: Amazon or The Book Depository

Unclaimed

by Courtney Milan

Release Date: September 20, 2011

Publisher: HQN

Review: Alterant

Reviewed by Jen
 

Poor Evalle can't catch a break.  She was able to thwart the plans of the Kujoo and recover the powerful stone she was sent to find in Blood Trinity, but her troubles are only starting.  As this book begins, only hours have passed since the last story ended and now Evalle must face a powerful Tribunal of deities to account for her actions.

Her race, the Alterants, were already feared and reviled. But now several have shown themselves in beast form and killed. So when Evalle stands before the Tribunal to answer for herself, she finds herself judged for their misdeeds. Brina, the leader of the Beladors, stands up for her, but that can only take Evalle so far. In the end, she is charged with bringing in three Alterants known to be on the loose. If she can't do it, not only will they be sentenced to die, so will she.

On her mission, Evalle finds herself thrown back with Tristan, the Alterant she met in the last book. He doesn't trust her since she sent him back to his prison; And she doesn't trust him either. But he's the only one with any idea where the other Alterants are. Storm, the jaguar-shifter is back too. His role as a protector and love interest is jacked up a notch. It's obvious he's falling hard for Evalle, but he has secrets he hasn't shared with her yet. And though Evalle is developing feelings for him, she has a lot to overcome, especially with her history of sexual assault.

While all this is going on, the Medb are plotting to overthrow the Beladors and are planning to use the Alterants to do it. This brings back the priestess Kizira... and her relationship with Evalle's friend Quinn.  Plus, we delve into what's happening with Brina and Tzader. If all this sounds like a lot going on... that's because it is. And I still feel like I've barely scratched the surface. The books in the Belador series are complicated. There are legions of characters, each with their own histories and agendas. This is not light reading... you have to pay attention. And even then, you may have work to keep up. 

But if you can stay on top of it all, it's really good stuff. Evalle is a great character: fragile yet strong; both naive and jaded; afraid of love and still desperate for it. Storm is mysterious, sexy, powerful and loyal. The romance is gentle, but exciting. The action is non-stop... filled with strategies, machinations and violence. And when the book is done, you know the story is far from over.  It's not really a cliff-hanger, but the stage is set for the next installment and I can't wait for it to get here.  I really enjoyed it... but I would suggest reading Blood Trinity first, if you haven't already, or you may end up feeling lost.  Almost 5 stars.

*ARC Provided by Pocket Books

Click to purchase: Amazon or The Book Depository

Alterant

by Sherrilyn Kenyon & Dianna Love

Release Date: September 27, 2011

Publisher: Pocket Books

Series Reading Order: Belador

This is the reading order for the Belador series by Sherrilyn Kenyon and Dianna Love:

• Blood Trinity
• Alterant
• The Curse

** "Midnight Kiss Goodbye" is a novella in the Dead After Dark anthology, set in the Belador world.

Review: Altered Destiny

Selia lives on the edge of civilization. Nearby, the feared Svistra raid villages and feed on human blood. But she never really considers that the monstrous warriors will ever target her or the small tavern that she runs. And she is right, in a way. When she comes across the Svitra she comes to know as Jaden, he's not attacking. He is being attacked. Selia doesn't realize he's not human when she intervenes and kills the men beating him. It's not until she inspects his battered body that she figures out what he is. But she can't turn her back on his suffering. So she and her adopted brother Oren work to nurse him back to health.

As Jaden recovers, he becomes friends with his human saviors. So when the sweet and simple Oren is conscripted into the human army, he helps Selia travel into danger to free him. Together, they must face treacherous and magical lands and soldiers who would attack them on sight. Not only that, but the Svistra are searching for Jaden. His power-hungry brother Keldar has taken over as leader of their people and he wants Jaden dead as a means to secure and maintain his power.

The dynamic between Jaden and Selia is what makes this book sing. At times, it seems a love triangle may be formed with them and a human army commander named Nathan. But it's plain to see that Selia will never really be truly happy with anyone other than Jaden. Their feelings for one another develop naturally, believably. Despite the great differences between them, they find common ground -- that leads to friendship, trust, and eventually attraction and love.

The storyline is really good and took me places I didn't expect. The beginning was kind of slow and the world-building was sprawling at times. We had a lot to learn about the people, their lands, and their history. The huge amounts of information detracted from the characters at times. I also found myself frustrated with too many cutaways to Keldar's POV. But every time we came back to Selia and Jaden, I felt like the story was worth my time.

Then we got to the end. (Spoilers ahead.) I know that sex isn't a part of every book, but I felt like a physical relationship between these two was like a carrot on a string that led me through 350 pages of this book.

Yeah, we got a "happy" ending. But I felt robbed that we didn't get to see these two come together on-page. I stayed up reading until one o'clock in the morning to get a payoff that never came. A payoff that this couple (and the readers) deserved. And it made me leave the book feeling angry and having mixed feelings about the story as a whole. I think one more well crafted chapter, letting us see these two finally give in to their feelings would have gone a long way.

3 1/2 stars.

*ARC Provided by NetGalley

Click to purchase: Amazon

Altered Destiny

by Shawna Thomas

Release Date: September 19, 2011

Publisher: Carina Press

Review: Serpent's Kiss

Let me start off by saying how much I love the Elder Races series.  Thea Harrison has created this rich, fascinating world, filled with Fae, Vampires, Wyr and a vast array of supernaturals in between.  And I just can't get enough.

We first met Rune, a Wyr-gryphon, back in Dragon Bound. He is one of Dragos' sentinals... his right hand.  During the events of Storm's Heart, he made a deal with the ancient vampyre Carling in order to save the life of fellow-sentinal Tiago.  As this story begins, it's time to repay that debt. 

Carling is having some serious problems.  She is reaching the end of her vampyre life and her decline is marked by periods of a disassociative state.  She zones out; her body is there, but her consciousness is somewhere else.  And it's happening with growing frequency.  When Rune shows up on her island to repay his favor, he becomes determined to help her solve the mystery of her condition.  As a result, he is drawn into her life in a way no one expected.

It took awhile for the story to rev up.  Maybe Carling's lack of passion had something to do with it.  It was really hard to connect with her as a heroine.  The very nature of her problem made her apart from most emotion.  The relationship was very slow to develop and so was my investment in the story.  I liked Rune and I liked the twist the author tied into Carling's "episodes," but I was firmly in the second half of the book before I really felt the excitement or passion I've come to expect from an Elder Races story.  And while the Carling disconnect was probably the biggest reason for that, it wasn't the only one.  One of the awesome things about the first two books was the great action and intrigue.  It's hard to have either one of those things when your main conflict in internal.  The problem is within Carling.

I don't want to sound too negative.  The book picked up steam in the second half, as Carling rediscovered her emotions and our couple finally started coming together.  It was great seeing Dragos and Pia, even if it was just a brief cameo.  And I'm really intrigued by Khalil.  I love this series and have absolute faith that Harrison will knock Oracle's Moon out of the park.  Almost 4 stars.

*ARC Provided by Berkley

Click to purchase: Amazon or The Book Depository

Serpent's Kiss

by Thea Harrison

Release Date: October 4, 2011

Publisher: Berkley

Review: Blood Rights

Amazing cover art!

Chrysabelle is a comarré, the ultimate blood source for a vampire.  From birth, she was molded into the ideal: in beauty, countenance, and blood purity.  But now her patron --her blood-master-- is dead, and she is suspected not only of killing him, but stealing a magic ring in his possession.  Now Tatiana, a deranged and power hungry vampire, is hunting for her and will stop at nothing to accomplish her task.

Chrysabelle takes refuge on the other side of the world, with her aunt Maris. She hides the golden sigils that mark her as comarré and tries to assimilate into human culture.  But it doesn't really work out. She crosses paths with Mal, a cursed and outcast vampire. And through a string of events neither intended, he becomes her new patron.

Mal doesn't need any new problems.  The curse he lives with keeps him on the edge of sanity.  His only companions are a spirit and a shapeshifter tied to him by circumstance. He can't feed properly; he is shunned by his kind.  Yet, something in him calls to Chrysabelle. I'd like to say this turned into a romance, but I can't.  There are moments it seems so close, but we don't quite get there.  Grr.

They do, however, become something of a team... working together against Tatiana.  As the book unfolds, we learn more about her dark plans and what they'll mean for the world.  We also learn more and more about the comarré: their secrets and their legacy. The world building is unique and complicated, in parts. It took me awhile to feel invested in the story. The first half didn't grab me the way the second half did. There was too much time spent from Tatiana's POV. Way too much.  And honestly, I think the book may have been better served with some tightening up, especially early on. Things just didn't feel like they were really moving forward for awhile.

I did become more invested over time.  Of course, part of that was me being greedy for the moments of connection between Chyrsabelle and Mal.  And while they never did get where I wanted them to be, I think there is definite groundwork to move in that direction in later books.  Tatiana makes for a formidable villain and the big reveal about her at the end actually managed surprise me, so kudos to the author for that.  There were some strong secondary characters, as well.

I feel pretty confident that I'll read the next installment in the series. Hopefully, it will pick up the pace a bit and give me more of the connection between our hero and heroine that we saw the beginnings-of in this book.  3 1/2 stars.

*ARC Provided by NetGalley

Click to purchase: Amazon or The Book Depository

Blood Rights

by Kristen Painter

Release Date: September 27, 2011

Publisher: Orbit

Spider's Revenge: Feature & Giveaway

No one will ever confuse me with a writer. I don't have the skill or that wonderful creative spark that brings characters to life.  But the awesome Jennifer Estep, author of the Elemental Assassin series, was kind enough to overlook that long enough to play along with me, when I asked if I could take a short walk through Gin Blanco's world. 

My little imaginary trip to Ashland should help bring you up to speed on our amazing assassin as we get ready for the big showdown with her nemesis in Spider's Revenge, which is out tomorrow! Take a look.


==========================================================

It's been a long time since I've been to Ashland.

I'm not really good at keeping my head down. And with someone like Mab Monroe running the city, if you can't keep your head down, you're likely to lose it. But I've heard through the grapevine that things are changing there. Someone is fighting back. Someone called the Spider.

With that in mind, I packed my bags and flew in for a visit. I even dropped by my favorite club, Northern Aggression. The guys there are so hot! One was hot enough to prompt me to follow him out the door, around to the side of the building. Imagine my surprise, when Mr. Beautiful started picking up speed and pulling a gun. Long story short, he took out a giant who was about to pounce on a woman standing in the alley. Damsel in distress?  I think not. I watched as she carved a rune into the ground with a knife. A spider rune. It was only then I noticed all the other bodies surrounding her.  And then she looked up and saw me.

So, those are the events that lead me to a back room in the club, with an incredibly charming, gorgeous guy and a woman I can only assume is the assassin they call the Spider. I thought she would kill me, but she didn’t. Instead, we somehow ended up sitting around a table, with drinks in our hands. One drink turned into two and then into three, before I was unable to keep my mouth shut a minute longer..

Me: So, how long have you two been together?

Gin: Finn’s father, Fletcher, took me in when I was thirteen and living on the mean streets of Ashland. The old man taught me everything I know about being an assassin, and most importantly, how to survive. I’ll always be grateful to him for that. (lifts her glass in honor of Fletcher)

Finn: (lifting his glass as well) Hear, hear. And Dad would be proud of you and all the folks you’ve helped lately. But yeah, we’ve known each other since we were kids and have been getting into and out of trouble ever since then.

Me: Well, I guess you don’t have much time for relationships in your, er, line of work.

Gin: Well, that’s not necessarily true. I’ve been seeing someone lately: Owen Grayson. So far, things are going well between me and Owen, and I hope they stay that way for a long time to come.

Finn: And I’ve got my eye on one Detective Bria Coolidge, a very attractive blond who is playing hard to get, although everyone knows how much she secretly wants me.

Gin:(rolling her eyes) I think the only thing Bria really wants is to slap that smug smile off your face.

Finn: (grinning) Your baby sister will come around sooner or later. It’s only a matter of time. No one can resist the charms of Finnegan Lane for very long.

Gin snorts and takes another sip of her drink.

Me: Have you always done the kind of work that you do? I mean, you kill people, right?

Gin: Yes. My name is Gin, and I kill people. That’s all you really need to know.

Finn: Actually, she used to kill people for money... a lot of money. *Sighs dreamily* But lately, she’s been doing all these pro bono jobs.

Gin: Yeah, lately, it seems like I’ve been handling bad situations for good, decent folks who have nowhere else to turn and problems that the law can’t handle. It’s dangerous work, but it’s rewarding, knowing that I’m saving some innocent lives.

Me: But Mab Monroe isn’t exactly a regular mark.  They don’t come any scarier than her.  Why would you put yourself on her radar?

Gin: Because Mab killed my mother and older sister when I was a kid. Not only that, but she tortured me and would have killed Bria as well. And ours isn’t the only family that she’s destroyed over the years. Mab deserves everything that’s coming her way, and all the wrath that I can rain down on her and her men in the meantime.

Me: So... (I find myself whispering) Are you going to kill her?

Gin: That’s the plan, sweetheart. That’s the plan. Whether it actually happens or not *shrugs* we’ll see

The last word was barely out of her mouth when Finn’s phone rang. He spoke quietly for a moment than ended the call and looked up at me. Finn tells me my cab is here, I’m headed to the airport, and to get the hell out of town.

Sitting in the cab, I can’t believe the night I’ve had. The Spider was nothing like I expected. I’m almost sorry to be leaving. I have a feeling things here are about to get really interesting.

=========================================================

Ha!! This was so much fun. A big thank you to Jennifer Estep for letting me visit with Gin and Fin and taking the time to share their answers with me. 

If this has whet your appetite for Spider's Revenge, you're in luck.  We're giving away a copy! This contest is only open to Red Hot Books followers in the U.S.  So if you'd like to enter, just fill out the Rafflecopter form below. 

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Review: Heart of the Druid Laird

Reviewed by Jen
 

Dermot is a Druid and Scottish laird who has been alive for the past 1600 years.  His wife was once the granddaughter of the Fae king. But she gave up her immortality to get married.  When she died in an attack on Dermot's clan, her mother cursed Dermot and his elite guard.  They were to be immortal until Dermot could find the reincarnated soul of his wife and bring her back to the place where she died.

After all these years, her soul has now reincarnated.  Dermot finds her in Sidney St George, an American woman who knows nothing of her past life.  Dermot tracks her down, having no intention of developing any feelings for her. But you know how these things go.  Even though they fight it, their souls reach out to one another.  Sidney doubts Dermot's intentions and as she begins to fall for him; she is sure her feelings can never be returned.  At the same time, Dermot is struggling with his new-found emotions and weighing his own feelings against his responsibilities to his men. 

All of that angst creates enough of a problem, but the Fae princess who cursed Dermot refuses to allow his suffering to end.  She throws one obstacle their way after another, hoping to keep his torment alive.  Plus, there is the threat that if the curse does end, the men won't just regain their mortality; they'll die on the spot.

The book started off a little slow for me. I had a hard time connecting with the characters and I thought it was going to end up being a pretty dry read.  But somewhere around the halfway point, a little bit of magic happened and the book came alive.  I think it was around the same time that Sidney allowed herself to believe in Dermot's immortality.  That's the time the two of them slowly began to take down their walls.  The sexual element was pretty good; and as much as I liked the development of Sidney and Dermot's relationship... the secondary love story between her best friend Zoe and Dermot's cousin Thomas was just as endearing, if not more so.

Dermot and his men all spoke with a great brogue.  And I'm a firm believer that no book can truly be called a Highlander story without the words, "Och," "ken" and "lass." We get all of these plus a few Gaelic term of endearment.  Yay! 

I ended up rather liking this book. I'm glad I stuck with it, because it paid off in the end.  4 stars.

*ARC Provided by NetGalley

Click to purchase: Amazon

Heart of the Druid Laird

by Barbara Longley

Release Date: September 19, 2011

Publisher: Carina Press

Banned Books Week Giveaway Hop

It's Banned Book Week. This is a yearly event designed to celebrate the freedom to read and the importance of the First Amendment.  It's also intended to draw attention to the dangers of censorship by spotlighting efforts to ban books across the United States.  If you would like to learn more about Banned Book Week, you can visit the American Library Association's website. To read about which books have faced the most challenges in the past year, click here.

Reading is all about personal choices.  In that spirit, I want you to choose the book YOU would like to read from the Book Depository.  If you win (and the book is valued up to $10), I'll buy it for you. This giveaway is international, so it's open to everyone who follows the site.

Thanks for visiting Red Hot Books. Don't forget to check out the other sites taking part in this great hop!

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Review: Studenstein

Reviewed by Jen
 

**WARNING: This review is intended for readers 18 and older. It contains coarse language and adult themes. If you think you may be offended, you might want to skip this one. **

After spending 15 minutes trying to find a tactful way to say this, I have given up. So I'm just going to come out with it: Reading about a woman screwing a guy in the ass with a strap-on dildo is not generally my cuppa tea. That being said, if it doesn't bother you --or if it kind of floats your boat-- "Studenstein" is actually a pretty entertaining novella.

Our heroine, Shani, is a reanimated corpse who was brought back to life to be a sex-slave.  She now works with others of her kind to free those still enslaved by the corporations who created them and programmed them for pleasure.  As the story begins, she is on a mission to rescue Royce, a sex-bot who doesn't even realize he needs saving.  Once she spirits him away, she discovers that he experiences serious pain if he can't have an orgasm every so often.  Unfortunately, he can't feel his dick, so that really limits his options.

Shani is very wary of sex.  In fact, she hasn't touched a man since she gained her freedom.  But she is willing to strap on the, er, strap-on... to give Royce the release he needs.  Frequently.  The end goal is to get him to her people, who can remove the devices that allowed his creators to control him.

The novella has pretty solid world building, especially considering its length.  Like I said, the female topping didn't really push my hot buttons. But I did like the dynamic between Shani and Royce.  Shani is empathetic without being maudlin.  And despite some of the darker themes, there are definite moments of levity.  This was my favorite:

"She felt like a princess descending her throne. A zombie princess, getting ready to fuck a guy in the ass in the kingdom of a crappy motel room."

That is pretty funny.

It turns out that this is actually the second installment in a series following the undead sex-bots. But this works easily as a stand-alone.  I'm kind of struggling to rate this one, but it was certainly fun to read.   4 stars.

*ARC provided by author for review

Click to purchase: Amazon

Studenstein

by Daisy Harris

Release Date: September 16, 2011

Publisher: Ellora's Cave

Review: In Pursuit of Eliza Cynster

A mysterious Scottish laird is on the hunt for a Cynster sister to become his wife. He doesn't really want to do it; His mother is forcing him through blackmail. His first attempt to secure a Cynster wife failed when Heather Cynster got away from the kidnappers he hired (in Viscount Breckenridge to the Rescue.) Now, he is hoping for better luck by hiring a new man to snatch her younger sister Eliza.

But shortly after the kidnappers take to the road with their quarry in hand, Eliza manages to gain the attention of a gentleman in a passing carriage.  That man, Jeremy Carling, will eventually become her rescuer.  But escape from the captors is only the beginning.  The laird and the man he hired won't let them get away so easily.  The story follows their pursuit of the couple, as they try to make their way back to England and to safety.

The basic plot of the book is a great deal like its predecessor.  The biggest difference is that here, more time in the story is focused on the getaway than the time our heroine spends in captivity.  The love story is ok.  Neither our hero or heroine is flighty or fickle.  There is a quiet surety to their relationship as it develops.  And despite their own insecurities, there is never any doubt to their feelings for each other.

But this book was far too long.  The first half had decent pacing, but the second half just went on and on.  Too many love scenes in too much detail. (Holy cow! I never thought I would say that about a book.)  While they were good at the beginning, they lost their magic by the third or fourth round.  And the maps.  Good gravy, they consulted the maps every five minutes. And described the routes and roadways in excruciating detail.  I found my eyes jumping over chunks of text every time someone pulled out a map because I knew what was coming next.

The story was most effective when it focused on Eliza and Jeremy discovering their feelings. It was also gratifying to watch them grow as individuals as they learned to be a couple.  The laird is also interesting as we learn bits and pieces about him and his motivations.  But the book was bloated.  I believe an aggressive editor could have streamlined this into a much stronger piece. 3 stars.

*ARC Provided by NetGalley

In Pursuit of Eliza Cynster

by Stephanie Laurens

Release Date: September 27, 2011 

Publisher: Avon

Favorites: Urban Fantasy

Urban Fantasy is one of my very favorite genres. Occasionally, people ask me for recommendations. There are so many great stories out there.  Here are a few of my favorites:

Fever

by Karen Marie Moning

At the moment, this series reigns as my number one favorite, not only in Urban Fantasy, but in all books, period. I would have never believed it if you told me that while I was reading Darkfever. I almost put that first book down more than once, mostly because I didn't like the main character. MacKayla Lane was everything I am not (and never have been.) She was perky, bubbly, blond, and innocent. Until her sister is mysteriously killed during a trip to Ireland. Mac puts her life on hold to travel around the world, to find out what happened to her sister and get justice. There, she finds out that nothing is what it seems. The Fae are real and their world is bleeding into ours. She meets a sexy and mysterious man named Jericho Barrons and together, they search for a Fae book of untold power that is somehow tied to Mac and her lost sister. 

This series is dark, gripping, sexy and absolutely brilliant. There are five books in the first main arc and each one ends with a cliffhanger leading up to the last installment. If you ever take my advice on anything, believe me when I say these two things: 1) Read the Fever series; And 2) Do not start them until you have all five books in front of you. I promise that the moment you put one down, you'll be desperate to start the next one. At least I was. Simply outstanding.

Click to purchase Darkfever (Fever Series, Book 1)

Kate Daniels

by Ilona Andrews

I'll admit that I resisted picking up one of these books for a long time because of the cover art. Each book features a lion and a woman with a sword.  I remember thinking to myself, "That's fantasy, not Urban Fantasy." But after being inundated with recommendations, I broke down and started reading.

The world Kate Daniels lives in, is one where magic vies with technology for prevalence in everyday life. When the "magic is up," machines don't work. When the "tech is up," magic is dormant. The battle for supremacy has left much of Atlanta in ruins. As the series begins, Kate is a mercenary who solves problems that are supernatural in nature. But after her guardian is killed, her investigation ties her to his old employer and to Curran, the leader of the shapeshifting community. The dynamic between Kate and Curran is fantastic... and ultimately sexy. Kate is strong, loyal, funny and brave. She is without a doubt my favorite UF heroine. Some people find the world-building a little murky in the first book, but it gets clearer over time. The writing is fast and witty; And the secondary characters are fleshed out, empathetic, and clearly defined. These are books with equal parts action, humor, and heart. I love them.

Click to purchase: Magic Bites (Kate Daniels, Book 1)

The Hollows

by Kim Harrison

It took me a few books to fall in love with this series.  But by the time I hit book 5, I was completely and irrevocably head-over-heels.  The main character of the series is Rachel Morgan.  She is a witch of seemingly average skill who works for the I.S., an agency made up of supernaturals who police others of their own kind.  But she wants to branch out on her own and she ends up starting a private firm with a vampire named Ivy and a pixie named Jenks.  The stories follow Rachel's adventures as she deals with everything from werewolves and demons, to fairies and leprechauns. But at the heart of this series are the interpersonal relationships that Rachel develops with the people in her inner circle. There is romance, action, loss, and redemption.  And the characters have such depth.  Even the villains are layered and likable in some ways.  The series just keeps getting better and better.  The most recent (book 9) has been my favorite yet. For a more in depth primer, check out the video. (If it's too small to read, you can make it fullscreen. But be aware, it does contain spoilers.)

Click to purchase: Dead Witch Walking (The Hollows, Book 1)

Downside Ghosts
by Stacia Kane

This series is like no other I have ever read.  The heroine is a drug addict. She is fundamentally broken in many ways by neglect and abuse.  She makes bad decisions.  But Chess Putnam hasn't given up on life. She maintains loyalty to the Church that employs her and does her job well, banishing ghosts for them.  And for the first time, she is falling in love.  The object of her affection, Terrible, is officially one of my favorite male leads of all time.  He is an uneducated, unattractive thug.  But he loves Chess in a way that turns him into a damn prince.  The series is gritty and disturbing at times.  Plus, the characters use an odd street slang that takes some getting used to.  It's all so unusual, I almost gave up on the first book.  But I'm so glad I didn't.  At this point, I am so invested in these characters, it is almost embarrassing.  Stacia Kane is such a talent.  I freaking love these books.

Click to purchase: Unholy Ghosts (Downside Ghosts, Book 1)

Otherworld

by Kelly Armstrong

One of the things I love most about the Otherworld series is just how rich the world-building is. Each one of these books features a different main character, but some favorites get more than one book. What's more, as we get further and further into the series, everyone's stories become so interconnected that it creates one big picture that I never dreamed of back in the beginning.  The early books focus on a werewolf named Elena, her love/hate relationship with her lover Clay, and her struggles to accept what she is.  Later books feature a witch named Paige, a necromancer named Jamie, and a ghost named Eve... among many others.  Most of these books would still work as stand-alones, but the history and background is part of what makes it all so good.  The books progress in nearly real-time.  With the first book out about 10 years ago, that's how much time has passed in the stories as well. But Armstrong is so awesome, she fills in the blanks with a wealth of short stories available free on her website.  It's so easy to get wrapped up in these fantastic tales.  There is plenty of plot driven action and enough romance to satisfy those of us who want some love in our stories. 

Click to purchase: Bitten: A Novel (Otherworld, Book 1)

Cassie Palmer

by Karen Chance

This series may not be for everyone. But if you don't mind a few time-travel induced brain twisters, you should check it out.  Cassie is a clairvoyant who grew up with vampires.  As her power increases, she becomes a highly prized member of the supernatural community.  She becomes a target for those who want to kill her, those who want to control her, and those who just want her.  Yep, there is some really good sexual tension in these books and more than one strong contender as a HEA for the heroine.  The series features not only vamps, but demons, Fae and other supernaturals.  And there is a lot of time travel, which left me scratching my head a couple of times.  But it was totally worth it.

Click to purchase: Touch the Dark (Cassandra Palmer, Book 1)

Charley Davidson

by Darynda Jones

Charley Davidson is a snarky, tough, brave and engaging PI and police consultant, who also happens to be the grim reaper.  This series follows her life as she solves crimes and help the dead cross over to the other side.  And perhaps, most importantly, it takes us along for the ride as Charley tries to figure out the enigma otherwise known as the sexy and powerful Reyes Farrow.  These books are a thrill ride from beginning to end.  They are sexy.  And they are so, so funny. Charley's dry wit had me laughing out loud over and over again.  The series is unpredictable and engaging and I am 100% in love with it.

Click to purchase: First Grave on the Right (Charley Davidson, Book 1) 

Elemental Assassin

by Jennifer Estep

Gin Blanco is an awesome, kick-ass killer-for-hire who wields the power of multiple elements.  Her family was killed when she was a child, and she was taken in by an old assassin named Fletcher. He raised her and taught her his craft, making her one of the best in the business.  The stories follow Gin as she begins to use her skills to fight the good fight. She takes up causes for people in need and shows that she is a really good person beneath all that killing.  Gin has a wonderful second family that is really her bedrock; they showcase her ability to love and be loved, despite the loner she thinks herself to be.  The series is creative, fun, and the author doesn't shy away from who her characters really are.

Click to purchase: Spider's Bite (Elemental Assassin, Book 1)

Shaede Assassin

by Amanda Bonilla

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!

Click to purchase: Shaedes of Gray (Shaede Assassin, Book 1)

 

I may add to this post if I think of any I left off.  But I'd love to hear from you.  What are you favorite UF reads?  I'm always looking for new books to love.

Review: Where Demons Fear to Tread

Reviewed by Jen
 

Julian is one of the top dogs in the demon hierarchy.  In just 200 years, he has climbed the ranks to Archdemon.  He seduces the innocent; he revels in debauchery.  Or at least, he always has. 

Serena is guardian angel. She follows her charge Nick into Julian's club one night, having no idea she is stepping into a demon's realm.  Her beauty and innocence captivate Julian and he decides he must have her.  Serena feels the attraction too, but she is determined to stay true to her righteous path.  

When Julian manipulates Serena into spending a week with him in Sin City, he is sure he'll break down her resolve.  But instead, she begins breaking down the walls he has spent centuries building around his tattered soul.  Can a demon know love?  And what could it mean for his chances of redemption?

I'll bet you know the answers to those questions without even reading the story.  And that leads me to one of my two complaints about the book. It's a bit predictable.  With the notable exception of Nick's path, you can pretty much figure out what's going to happen from chapter one.  That's not to say I didn't enjoy the ride. I did. Julian is sexy and angsty in all the right places. He makes for a great reluctant hero and reforming bad boy. There is good sexual tension and the love scenes are steamy.

Lucianna makes for a good villain in that she is completely off the chain crazy and that makes her very dangerous.  I believe she would happily cut anyone's throat in the blink of an eye.  Then bathe in their blood.  

I can't say I was as crazy about Serena as I was Julian.  (Here comes that second complaint.)  She was oh-so-good and so very innocent.  But one kiss from Julian and she wants to jump his bones.  Obviously, she shows restraint. But would such a beacon of virtue have to fight her carnal impulses so hard?  Plus, at times, she is almost too good for me to relate to.

That being said, I still really wanted things to work out for them.  And I liked watching it all unfold. I'm interested to see where the series will go next.  Almost 4 stars.

*ARC Provided by Mira via NetGalley

Click to purchase: Amazon

Where Demons Fear to Tread

by Stephanie Chong

Release Date: August 23, 2011 

Publisher: Mira

Review: The Seduction of Scandal

Reviewed by Jen
 

Lady Corrine is being forced into a marriage she doesn't want.  While many other women consider Lord Freddie to be a catch, she sees his true colors.  But her parents won't let her cry off, even after she finds him in bed with her maid.  So she does the only thing she can do: she runs away.

During her escape, she stumbles into the path of the notorious Thorn.  He's something of a Robin Hood, stealing from the wealthy and greedy Lord Sherwin to help the common people.  He has a reputation as a dangerous man, but Corrine quickly figures out his true nature.  Thorn agrees to hide her until she outlasts her engagement, because he realizes that she puts his true identity at risk.

All of this is pretty engaging, especially since we know that Thorn's alter ego has been nursing a crush on Corrine for years.  But Corrine goes from tolerating him, to respecting him, to being in love with him in the space of about five seconds.  In fact, when she declared her love for him, I actually flipped back in the book, sure I had missed something. It was that abrupt.

I liked the premise. The writing was smooth and the dialogue was engaging, but I was perplexed by the progression of the relationship.  The speed, of course, but then also Thorn's continued reticence, even after it was clear Corrine returned his feelings.  I was satisfied well enough by the ending, but I felt like what was supposed to be a big surprise... was actually kind of predictable.

This book didn't entirely live up to its promise. But there were parts I enjoyed, like Corrine's spirit and Thorn's true vein of heroism.  A little more than 3 stars.

*ARC Provided by NetGalley

The Seduction of Scandal

by Cathy Maxwell

Release Date: August 30, 2011 

Publisher: Avon

Favorites: Blogs

There are so many great book blogs out there and I find more every day.  Since I started this site, the blogging community has been so welcoming and interactive.  I talk with many other reviewers, some daily, on Goodreads and Twitter. And I love visiting their blogs.  It makes reading and reviewing a much richer experience. 

Some of my favorite blogs are already big and successful. But some are still waiting to be discovered by the masses.  Here are some sites worth paying a visit:

Smexy Books 

When my blog grows up, I hope it turns out like Smexy.

Not exactly the same, of course. We all need our own identity. But Mandi provides insightful and balanced reviews; great author interviews; huge giveaways; and features that are equal parts snarky, lusty, and fun.  She is interactive with both followers and authors. An A+ site for romance fans.

 Fiction Vixen

This is another big one.  Fiction Vixen reviews so many of the books I am interested in.  The blog design is clean and easy to navigate.  Sophia cracks me up with her llama obsession and peen pictures during Random Friday posts.  And you can be sure, someone is always reading your comments and responding.  A class act.

 Parajunkee's View

First I have to give Rachel credit for the look of my blog. She designed it.  I also have to give her big props for the care she takes to help out new book bloggers.  Her Book Blogging 101 features answered a lot of questions I had early on. And I am still learning new things from her.  Parajunkee features Urban Fantasy as well as a healthy dose of YA reviews... as well as features and giveaways.

Under the Covers

This blog features some of my very favorite friends from Goodreads & Twitter.  Suzanne, Ann, and Francesca share my taste in books. They are great to dish with and they've given me some great recommendations and feedback. The blog also features a Hottie of the Week, which I thoroughly enjoy clicking on for a bit of hot man action. (You know I have a weakness for Man Candy!)

I also enjoy visiting:

 Dark Faerie Tales 

All Things Urban Fantasy

Rabid Reads

Paranormal Haven

The Book Nympho

Yummy Men and Kick Ass Chicks

Urban Fantasy Investigations

 Romance Around the Corner

Book Savvy Babe

I'm always finding new blogs, so I may add to this list.  But I'd also love to hear from you. All recommendations are welcome.

Review: By Any Other Name

Thom and Dru have been in a committed and loving relationship for three years, when a phone call comes that will change their lives.  Skye, Dru's best friend from childhood, is being released from a mental hospital.  He's been there for two years, recovering from horrible and extreme sexual abuse at the hands of an uncle.

Dru hasn't seen or heard from Skye in seven years, but he knows his old friend has no one else to turn to.  So he and Thom decide to take him into their home.

Things are rough at first. Syke is very fragile.  But the feelings Dru had for him as a teenager come rushing back.  Even Thom is not immune to the pull Skye generates.  But is there any chance for a future for the three men with the baggage each carries?  Skye's issues are obvious, but Dru has big abandonment issues and Thom has serious insecurities, especially when it comes to the relationship that means so much to him.

There are parts of the story that really worked for me.  The love between Thom and Dru is tangible.  The evolution of their feelings for Skye was well-done and believable.  The author also did a really good job portraying Skye's confusion about his sexuality and his reticence to explore a relationship with men.  I couldn't put the book down, waiting to see how things would play out.

But I did have a some problems.  First of all, the introduction of Syke's backstory from his doctor was abrupt and the degree of his abuse was almost too big to really take in. My other issue is the pseudo time-jump near the end. I understand why we don't see Skye hop into bed right away.  In fact, I would have balked if he were able to be physical too quickly.  But I wasn't happy with the way we blew through the weeks/months of the newly formed relationship with just a bit of narrative.  I would have liked to see some of that happen, instead of just hearing about it in a brief wrap-up.

That being said, I liked the book.  It had a lot of emotion and I found myself empathizing with all three of the men... especially Thom.  The sex was good. It's not down and dirty, but loving and meaningful.  I'm usually really skeptical in menage stories, but I believed in this one.  I would read from this author again.  Just under 4 stars.

*ARC Provided by NetGalley

By Any Other Name

by Tia Fielding

Release Date: August 22, 2011 

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press

Review: Knight's Curse

Reviewed by Jen
 

Let me start out with a warning that this is not a romance. I thought it might be from the blurb... but it's really an Urban Fantasy with a hint of a vague promise of a wispy tendril of a romance.

Chalice is something more than human. She has extremely sharp senses and she knows that whatever she is, her mother was the same. Unfortunately, the woman died moments after Chalice was born, so she never really understood her heritage. She was raised by monks in her early childhood, but then kidnapped and forced into slavery by a nefarious group of magic manipulators, called the Vyantara. Her handler is Gavin, a cruel and powerful man who has tied her life to a gargoyle... and through that tie, he forces her to steal magical artifacts. If she refuses or runs away, she'll turn into a gargoyle herself.

Her latest assignment puts her in the path of Aydin, another supernaturally enhanced being forced into servitude by the Vyantara. But he knows so much more about magic... even about Chalice herself. He helps her break through some of barriers she has built and the prejudices indoctrinated in her by Gavin and his cohorts. With his help, she learns about her heritage and her destiny and allows herself to finally hope for a better future.

The world-building was interesting here. It definitely felt fresh and unique. But I found myself always waiting for more. More resolution. More satisfaction. More between Chalice and Aydin. And I didn't get it. By the time I got to the end of the book, I felt more like I had just read a long a set-up than a complete novel. Don't get me wrong, it was entertaining, but it was equally frustrating. All the build, build, build and then it's over. It didn't even feel like a cliffhanger so much as that it just stopped midway through the story. Grr.

I guess it's telling that I want to find out what happens to Chalice. I want to find out the deal with her dad... whether that disembodied head will ever be reunited with its body... and what's up with the guardian angel. And of course, whether Chalice and Aydin will ever get PAST FIRST BASE. Maybe in the next installment. 3 1/2 stars.


P.S. (Click here if you have already read the book.) I was very disappointed in Chalice that she would suggest that Aydin should kill his gargoyle to save himself.  He made it very clear that he cared for the beast --that it was once a man and had a good heart. No way would he kill it to recapture his humanity. Fail.

*ARC Provided by NetGalley

Knight's Curse

by Karen Duvall

Release Date: August 23, 2011 

Publisher: Luna

Review: One Night in London

Reviewed by Jen
 

Edward de Lacey is the second son of the Duke of Durham.  And as his father dies, Edward learns that the old man had been keeping a very big secret.  It seems the Duke was married before he met Edward's mother --and never divorced.  If that comes to light, not only will Edward and his brothers lose the estate, but their legitimacy as well.  So Edward rushes off to the finest lawyer in town, hoping to secure his family's future.

He has no idea Francesca has hopes of using the very same attorney to help her gain custody of her niece.  The girl's stepmother is refusing her access to the child, even though Francesca's brother-in-law promised her custody before he died.  This attorney is her last hope... and he accepts her case.  But then Edward swoops in with his problems and the lawyer drops her instantly.

Devastated and furious, Francesca confronts Edward, demanding his help, to repay her for stealing the lawyer out from under her.  Of course, he blows her off at first. But later, when she helps him in a way that no one else can, he agrees help her in return.  Once they start working together, it's just a matter of time before they give in to the attraction between them.

There are alot of things I liked about this book.  I liked that Francesca was a widow and not the trembling virgin that is the female lead for most historical romances.  I liked that their feelings for each other were not instant, but grew over the course of the book.  I liked their explosion of passion when they finally came together. And maybe most importantly, I liked that neither of them were ever dishonorable toward the other.  They treated each other well at all times and never lost their loyalty or honesty.  (There is one little blip at the end, but it's a small matter and is resolved quickly.)

I really enjoyed the prequel I Love the Earl for many of the same reasons.  And while they never mention Edward's father by name, I believe he is Francis, brother to the heroine in that novella.  It appears there are more stories to come, featuring Edward's brothers --and I look forward to reading what's next for Charlie and Gerard. Almost 4 stars.

*ARC Provided by NetGalley

One Night in London

by Caroline Linden

Release Date: August 30, 2011 

Publisher: Avon 

Kate Daniels: Short Stories & Novellas

Curran (Vol 1-5): It's pretty impossible to review the Curran collections.  They're not really short stories, just little snippets from the Beast King's perspective.  We find out what was going through his mind the very first time he met Kate:

"She crouched with her hand out. What the hell was she doing...
'Here, kitty, kitty, kitty.'
Oh my God, she was retarded and I was going to kill Jim."

We get his perpective, feeding Kate the soup in Magic Burns... how he talks Julie into letting him out of the cage in Magic Strikes... and how he felt seeing Kate with Saiman in Magic Bleeds.  In Volume 2, Curran rips into his alphas for how Kate was treated while he was unconscious in Magic Bleeds and in Volume 3, he fights it out with Mahon. Volume 4, shows us the scene where Jim explains to Curran who Kate's father really is.  And the latest, Volume 5, gives us Curran's perspective of the hot tub scene where he almost gets busy with Kate in Magic Strikes.  Hot stuff!!!

While these are short, they are not to be missed. You can find them all free (legally) online: Volume 1, Volume 2, Volume 3, Volume 4, Volume 5.

A Questionable Client: This story is set chronologically before the events of the first book, but it would be a much better read after you're familiar with the series.  This is the backstory of how Kate met Saiman.  She is hired to work as his bodyguard to protect him from some Russians he stole from.  Kate fascinates him.  This is also the origin of Saiman's quest to find the perfect form to seduce Kate.  A great story for fans of the series.

Magic Mourns: This short story begins shortly after the events of Magic Strikes.  Kate is recovering from her injuries and Andrea is covering for her with the Order.  When she gets a call about a giant dog with its tail on fire, she goes to check it out.  When she arrives, she finds Raphael, running from a Cerebus.  The two manage to escape the beast and he explains that he ran into thing while searching for his step-father's missing body.

The story follows Andrea and Raphael as they work to figure out what happened to corpse, why it's under guard by the Cerebus and what vampires have to do with the whole thing.  Of course, for me, the action just gives us an excuse to finally put Andrea and Raphael together.  He's been working so hard to garner her affection and here is where she finally lets her guard down.  In the process, we see how truly vulnerable she is and why its so hard for her to let him in.

And even though she comes to call him her mate, this passage really stands out as a portend that they have a rough road ahead:

"Some part of me had hoped that once we had sex, everything would smooth itself out. But in the end, he was still insecure and I was still broken. Sex was simple. Being together was alot more complicated."

Magic Dreams: I don't know if it would really be fair to call this "Jim and Dali's story."  Maybe it's the Prologue to Jim and Dal's story.  It was very obvious in Magic Bleeds that these two had a thing for each other.  This story is told in Dali's voice as she tries to save Jim from a soul-sucking spell that is likely to kill him.  Her dedication to his survival shows the depths of her feelings and it's really very sweet.  But just when we were finally getting the payoff, it ended.  I turned the page and there was no more story.  At that point, I cursed Ilona and Gordon in every language I know.  (Granted, that's only one language, but the intent was still there.) 

I hope we see more of these two as they try to make a go of things.

Magic Gifts - Reviewed separately... here.

"A Questionable Client" can be found in the anthology Dark & Stormy Knights.  "Magic Mourns" can be found in the anthology Must Love Hellhounds.  "Magic Dreams" can be found in the Hexed anthology. "Magic Gifts" was originally released on Ilona Andrews website. It will be published in the back of Gunmetal Magic.