by: Rachel Caine

Number of pages: 320

Unknown (Outcast Season Book Two)
I love this book and love the series. My only “complaint” is the non-stop pace. I simply can’t catch my breath as I read these books.

A continuation or offshoot from the Weather Wardens series, the “un” books star ex-djinn, Cassiel, who was stripped of her almost god-like djinn powers to be a mere mortal. Well, that’s not completely correct. She has some powers, but they are dependent on the life energy gifted to her by a warden.

Not all wardens would be so gracious to give her power, but Luis Rocha does.

He also is helping her track down his missing niece, and uncovering the mysterious abductions of several children. All of these children are linked by one or both parents being a Weather Warden. The special powers they have from their parents’ is being used against the djinn, the humans, and the planet.

Non-stop mayhem, a slowly evolving mystery, a really complicated baddie, and potential romance makes this book a must read for weather warden-lovers.

Overall book rating: 8.75

by: Mario Acevedo

Number of pages: 368

This was another new author challenge book.

Usually modern vampire stories are written by women, but Acevedo brings a unique twist to the standard. Ex-Operation Freedom vet, now vampire, Felix Gomez has turned to “normal” life as a detective.

His vamp powers add a twist and provide an edge to the standard detective. He’s called to Rocky Flats, Colorado, by an old friend to investigate the cause of an outbreak of nymphomania.

Really, nymphomania… that’s a problem, right?

Before you think this is an erotic romance, think again…it is a detective story with an edge and a lovely one at that.

Gomez bumbles almost as badly as Columbo, but, like Columbo, has a method and it works.

What works better is Acevedo’s writing. It is brutally honest, direct, and poetic. Where else can you get a line like this:

No mistress of the dark, she looked more like a matron of the refrigerator.

I LOVED it! Thanks to Jackie from LE for turning me on to this author.

Overall book rating: 9.75

by: Angie Fox
Number of pages: 308

The wild and wacky life of Lizzie the Demon Slayer wouldn’t be complete without a trip to Las Vegas to keep her Fairy God Uncle from marrying a succubus.

Intrigued? You should be. This paranormal universe is unlike any other on the market. The character is more Kindergarten teacher (her former profession) than Vampire Slayer, and the loony trail of Biker Witches that help her are unlike any other leather-clad sidekick. But the true side-kick award goes to little Pirate, who’s plucky-dog-sense gets him a bit of demon pant leg and a whole lotta trouble.

But before you despair completely, there is a shiny-bad-boy griffin (he looks like a greek yum yum model so it’s bonus time!) who rides along side Lizzie, giving her the support and lovin’ every Demon Slayer needs.

Overall book rating: 8

by: Cherry Adair

Number of pages: 310

I liked the flawed characters of this book. Despite unbelievable scenarios, the pair of T-FLAC operators discover almost as much about themselves as they do each other. This makes for a wonderful pairing.

Fireworks and bombs, and ancient Egyptian digs combine with a fiery red-headed heroine, and her stoic, but sooo manly hero.

I’m not poking fun, the pair is wonderful despite the potential cliché.

Great book for action romance lovers.

Overall book rating: 7.75

by: Toni McGee Causey

Number of pages: 341

I don’t know how to rate the character believability for these books.

Bobby Faye is unlike any heroine you’ll ever find. She’s ballsy, yes, but a walking tornado. Mayhem and explosions follow her like baby ducks.
And the story, oh! Loved the twists, the triangles, the plot unveiling. This is an amazing action mystery with a touch of romance that rampages through the backwaters of Louisiana like alligators in April. (read book to understand reference) Bobby Faye has a limited amount of time to deliver her great-great-something-grandfather’s iron (yes, iron) tiara to a mobster who has kidnapped her no-account brother. But she loves her brother and would walk through swamps, salt mines, junkyards, exploding oil rigs, and even through the net of FBI and local police, to get it to him in time.
Add in gun-runners, a mysterious man who is in the “acquisition” business, bank robbers, and ex-boyfriends and you have one of the best books written. If you can keep up.

I love this stuff!

Overall book rating: 9.5

by: Angela Knight, Diane Whiteside, Emma Holly, and Lora Leigh

Billed as “Four stories of limitless desire…” Beyond the Dark promises near-erotic romance with a bite of paranormal exoticy.

By far, Holly’s story was the most unique. Instead of being rooted to this world and the limitations of standard paranormal fare, the mix throws in aliens, ancient Egypt, erotic god powers and a steamy story line.

Leigh’s installment of the breed series ties up a few loose ends and opens the door to better heroes. Instead of being entirely ruled by the mating heat, the leading man allows his captive intended a choice.

Dragon Dance by Angela Knight was amazing and had great potential as a jumping off point or introduction to a promising series.

Whiteside’s story would appeal to Regency lovers who desire a bit of magic.

Overall book rating: 7.5625

by: Sherrilyn Kenyon

Pages: 533

Ahh, space the final frontier… for romance that is. Kenyon’s League debut book, re-released with more than before, is an excellent read. The author notes at the beginning of the book are almost as much fun (getting a glimpse of the author’s life and start in the business) as the reading.

I have some reservations about this work, mainly a cliché’d happenstance that tastes of Deux en machina, however it still ties everything together nicely, and it isn’t like it drops out of the blue. I suspected the chance meeting’s roots near the beginning of the book.

Actually, I suspected much more than really happened, but that’s just my over-active imagination getting stimulated by a good story. Read if you like science fiction, read if you like action, read if you like
romance. It’s got it all.

Rating: 7.5

(more…)

by Suzanne Brockmann

Go out and buy this book. Trust me. If you have followed the writer’s Troubleshooters, loved the prior books’ levels of tension, the multiple romantic story lines, and fell in love again and again with real (REAL) men with issues, these books are the Shit!

We follow the story of recently resurfaced Vinh Murphy as he seduces his long-time friend/buddy/introducer of his wife/friend/crush…whatever, it’s complicated when people don’t follow up on their feelings, Hannah. He’s still recovering from the death of his wife, she’s still recovering from the loss of her best friend and her second best friend’s breakdown (read as Angelina, Vinh’s dead wife, and Vinh.) It’s complicated.

BUT!!! that really isn’t the best part of the book.

No? you say… No.

Period. The best parts are the on-again-off-again trials of Decker/Sophia/David, Will-he-finally-marry-her Nash and fiance’, Tess who really deserves much better than Nash delivers…and BEST romance of the book….

Wait for it.

Crazy/Zany Izzy Zanella meets his match. Or meets his nemesis. Take your pick. Danny Gilman’s little sister, barely 18 and so full of “it” she makes Izzy jump through flaming hoops.

I couldn’t get over the perfection and the heartbreak this little side romance delivered. Read the book simply for this love story alone.

Writing: 10; characters: 9.5; plot: 10; conclusion: 10+ Total score: 9.9

by Ellen Byerrum

This fun …wait…FUN romp through the life and times of an investigative DC FASHION reporter is a unexpected diamond. The work is enjoyable and easy. The tension cute and unpretentious. The leading lady not a diva, and not angsty. The perfect blend of reality and mayhem.

Writing: 8, characters: 9.5; plot: 8.1; conclusion: 8.5 Please read… a 8.5!

by Lori Handeland

Elizabeth Phoenix used to be a police officer, but left because her “gift” of seeing things through touch caused the death of her partner. Now she is drawn into more intrigue as her foster mother is brutally murdered. And the main suspect is her ex-boyfriend and enigma, Jimmy Sanducci.

Drawn into an underworld of paranormal war, she must choose to follow her destiny and avenge her foster-mother’s death and pick up the mantle of leadership she left behind.

Grade: writing: 8.6