Romance Book Review: Lauren Dane's Wolf’s Ascension

Author: Lauren Dane
Series Connection: Cherchez Wolf Pack
ISBN: 9781459293519
Genre: Paranormal Romance, Erotic Romance, Werewolf Romance
Publisher: Carina Press

Walking through the back alley Kari is attacked and nearly killed. When she wakes up in the hospital all isn't what it seems. Before she is released she is kidnapped and told a wild story, at least that is what she thinks until she has no choice to believe what she's told and her life changes forever.

Andreas had a plan. He would get to know the human woman who would be his mate and then tell her who he was and how her world would change, unfortunately his cousin's actions changed everything. Now Kari is a werewolf months earlier than planned and she hates Andreas.

Slowly the two come together, but not everyone is happy about their mating and now Kari is in more danger than ever. Andreas must find whoever in his pack wants Kari dead before it is too late.

The Cherchez series was the first series I read by Lauren Dane, it was interesting to get a chance to re-read the newly released books. Although some of the book titles will be changed, this book in the series kept the same title. The author said that she made some changes in this book, but it wasn't really anything that I noted in the theme of the the book, but it was fun to go back and revisit the series. I liked it the first time and it was good for a re-read.

Keep in mind there are a lot of erotic romance scenes.

My favorite in the original series was the second book which was originally called "Fire and Rain", but it will now be called "Sworn to the Wolf" and will be out on March 15.

Description:

Attacked by werewolves. Mated to the Alpha. Declared a queen. Kari is having an unusual day.

In the Cherchez wolf pack, loyalty is earned, not given. For Andreas, the pull he feels toward Kari cannot be ignored, a physical bond immediate and unbreakable—though Andreas wants to win Kari’s heart as well as her body. But someone isn’t happy about his new mate, and Kari’s just beginning to trust him and the pack when attempted murder threatens their newfound happiness.

Andreas brings out the deepest hunger in Kari, a sexy, passionate side of herself she never knew was there. And her new life as werewolf queen is turning out to be surprisingly emotional in other ways, as well. The bond she feels with Andreas extends to the others in the pack—others she’s now bound to defend.

And as the pack’s enemies are about to discover, Kari will do anything to protect her new family.

Previously published under a different title, newly revised by author

Romance Book Review: Tracey Jane Jackson's Bound By Fire

Author: Tracey Jane Jackson

Series Connection: Cauld Ane Series

ISBN: 978-1481962285

Genre: Paranormal Romance, Contemporary Romance, Suspense Romance

Publisher: Jackson

Purchase Link

Pepper is really in trouble. She's been getting little notes and people around her are getting hurt every time she doesn't do what her stalker tells her to do. She hasn't wanted to worry her best friend Sam what is going on, but she knows Sam's not fooled. 

She finally goes to Sam's brother for help, but he gets shot in the process and now she feels truly trapped. 

Getting ready for Sam's wedding Pepper meets Sam's fiance's family, including big and strong Connall. Her immediate connection to Connall is a little frightening at first, but as she gets to know the man, she realizes he's not a threat to her.

Connall knows he needs to take it slow with Pepper. It isn't helping that she has a stalker and that Pepper and Sam's brother seem a little close, but he knows he can protect her. After the threat to her is gone, he'll have to then tell her his own mysterious story and hope he doesn't lose her. 

This book steps back a few weeks before the first book, Bound By Blood, left off. In the beginning the back story is needed to remind readers and also give the perspective from Pepper's point of view, although sometimes it does get a little weird, especially if you read both books right after the other. 

However, I am really impressed with the world that Tracey Jane Jackson has built in this book and hope that there will be more to the series. The main characters are great and the side characters only add to the story instead of distract.  

Description:

Pepper Brooks has always dreamed of escaping her small town life and her alcoholic mother. Working double shifts at her dead-end waitressing job, she saves every penny in order to join her best friend in Scotland. Her plans are threatened, however, when she finds herself alone and in danger with no apparent way out. 

Connall Gunnach is traveling to the United States to attend the wedding of his brother when he is bombarded with panic. However, the panic is not his own. He realizes his destined mate is in peril and he must find her before it’s too late. But when he does, he discovers she already has a champion and a massive chip on her shoulder…and he is a man of many secrets. Will Connall be able to convince her to trust him and him alone? 

Will Pepper be able to put aside her past hurts in order to fully embrace her destiny?

Romance Book Review: Quicksilver

Author: Amanda Quick
Series Connection: Looking Glass Trilogy/An Arcane Society Novel 
ISBN-10: 0399157379
ISBN-13: 978-0399157370
Genre: Paranormal Romance/ Historical
Publisher: Putnam

Purchase this book here through Amazon
   
♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

 QuickSilver is the second in the Looking Glass Trilogy. It takes place in the long ago past from from the first Jayne Ann Krentz book In Too Deep.

During the time-period in London, the Arcane Society is going through some changes. The Jones are taking over the Arcane Society and J&J Investigations is just making a name for themselves.

Owen Sweetwater has been hired by J&J to investigate the death of two glass light readers. In the process he sets out safe the woman he has fallen in love with.

Virginia is a Glass Light Reader with a very strong talent. She has caught the eye of a killer who wants to use her talent. While Owen and Virginia try to find the killer the two fall in love, but can Virginia and Owen find the killer before he succeeds in killing his next victim?

This book continues on with Arcane Society series. Each book in the series introduces a new time in history and a new member of the Arcane Society. Both the hero and heroine stay true to the strong characters of the Jayne Ann Krentz style. It is not necessary to read the previous books to enjoy this book. This is a standard well written book by the author.

I liked both Owen and Virginia. While the story takes place in the past their are really relatively few historical references aside from the mode of transportation, so if one isn't into history books, like me, it won't be a real trial to read. 

Description:
In the New York Times-bestselling author’s latest Arcane Society novel, a paranormal killer pushes an unlikely duo's powers and passions to the limit.

Virginia Dean wakes at midnight beside a dead body, with a bloody knife in her hand and no memory of the evening’s events. Dark energy, emanating from the mirrors lining the room, overpowers her senses. With no apparent way in or out, she is rescued by a man she has met only once before, but won’t soon forget....

Owen Sweetwater inherited his family’s talent for hunting the psychical monsters who prey on London’s women and children, and his investigation into the deaths of two glass-readers has led him here. The high-society types of the exclusive Arcane Society would consider her an illusionist, a charlatan, even a criminal, but Owen knows better. Virginia’s powers are real — and they just might be the key to solving this challenging case.

Romance Book Review: Anchor

Author: Jorrie Spencer
Series Connection: Northern Shifters
ISBN: 978-1-60928-427-5
Genre: Paranormal/ Shape-shifters/ Werewolves
Publisher: Samhain Publishing, Ltd.

Purchase this book here

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

In Jorrie Spencer's, Anchor, the world knows about werewolves. Like with humans not all werewolves are good, some are down right evil.

All of her life Mala has been having nightmares about wolves. Each time she has them it causes more trouble in her life. This time the dream involves a young wolf being chanced by his father. Somehow she understands that these wolves are more than just wild wolves, she knows they are werewolves.

Deciding once and for all to check out whether her dreams are real or not she decides to seek out the boy she saved from his father in her dream. All the time on the trip she's wondering if she really does want to learn the truth or not. She finally arrives at a small town in Northern Canada, call Wolf Town.

The hero in the story is Angus. Angus runs Wolf Town, a sort of Santuary for the werewolves to go to live in peace. When the boy Mala saves comes to the town for help Angus is there to give him support.

When Mala comes to town looking for the boy, Angus knows she's a good person. Unlike others in her life he believes her.

I really like the story that Jorrie Spencer puts together. Angus is really a hero that can be counted on. He only wants what's best for the wolves and is willing to accept those who want the same, but he is also willing to take care of, in whatever means necessary, those who wants to harm those he cares about.

Mala is an interesting heroine. She's not quite comfortable in her own skin, but she is working on mastering her dreams. Instead of letting them take over her life she is learning to control the dreams and even helping the wolves in the process.

The novel spends a lot of time working around the dreams and getting to know both Mala and Angus, separate from each other that it doesn't really leave a lot of time to explore the love affair between the couple, which disappointed me a little. On the otherhand, I was so interested in learning about Wolf Town and the others in the story that I didn't miss it all that much. Overall, I would give this book a good rating.

Description:
She follows her dreams into his arms…and danger is not far behind.

Children are supposed to outgrow night terrors. Mala is the rare exception. At night she dreams of wolves, ones who attack, and the ones her dream-self protects. The effort costs her—one dream often leads to a week of missed work.

After a months-long reprieve, the dreams are back with a vengeance. Her defense of a young wolf from his abusive father is rewarded when the boy mentions the name of a real town. Finally, the chance to learn if her dreams are just as real. She never expected to meet an honest-to-God alpha wolf, much less develop an instant, embarrassing crush on him.

Angus MacIntyre, the de facto alpha of Wolf Town, is determined to see every fugitive wolf employed, educated and well-adjusted to life in the open. The arrival of a young wolf on the run isn’t all that unusual, but the human woman hard on his heels is beyond extraordinary.

The dark-eyed beauty stirs his mine instinct in a way he’s never felt before. She possesses a dream-wraith ability that challenges everything he thinks he knows about his world, and makes her vulnerable to those who might try to use it—and her—to their advantage.

Product Warnings
Wolf towns, bad guys, dreams and non-alpha alpha wolves, as well as an overabundance of family, and, of course, a healthy dose of romance and sex.

Romance Book Review: The First Ghost

Author: Marguerite Butler
ISBN: 9781616502324
Genre: Paranormal/ Romance/ Contemporary/ Ghost
Publisher: Lyrical Press


♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

Quirky paranormal featuring a young woman, Portia, who at first believes she is different from all the other women in her family. The others have psychic abilities, but Portia had never discovered any abilities, until one day she get a bump on her head. When she wakes up in the hospital she meets the ghost of the girl who had just died in the bed next to her.

Portia hasn't missed not having the chance to have any psychic abilities and she certainly isn't excited about getting the chance to talk with ghost, seeing demons and watch reclaimers take souls over to the afterlife.

With no other choice, but be haunted for the rest of her days, Portia helps the girl, which leads to helping another ghost. While in the hospital she meet a doctor who takes an interest in her. She thinks he's Mister Perfect, except for one little problem, he's just a bit shorter than she is. At six foot, she realizes she's a bit tall, but he's five-six and just a bit short.

While Portia gets to know the doctor, she also goes off trying to solve the murders of the two women who are haunting her. There are bound to be any number of sequels to this story as we watch Portia develop her skills and move on with her life.

This is a fun well written book that sometime catches you off guard and into giggles. The supporting cast and Portia's dealings with the ghosts that she meets keep up the comic relief, especially Boris and the ghost who can't stop crying through dinner. The demons leave you hoping that isn't what really happens in the afterlife.

Description:
The dead have no respect for anyone trying to have a life.

Portia Mahaffey always liked that she was the only woman in her family without a psychic 'gift'. But a concussion awakens her latent ability to see ghosts. And one of those ghosts is prepared to haunt her until Portia agrees to convince the police her death was no accident.

With no choice but to help Corinne, Portia reluctantly uses her new gift and some good old-fashioned detection to track down the truth.

Seeing the dead is just the beginning. Portia's world becomes filled with hungry demons, mercenary shadow beings, vengeful poltergeists…and one very alive murderer willing rank her among the dead.

Who knew hanging with the dead could be so hazardous to the living?

Warning: contains mild sexual escapades, ghosts, demons, and flatulent pugs.

Romance Byte: Dirk and Steele new book plus merchandise available

Fans of Marjorie M. Lui and the Dirk and Steele series here's a great holiday present for yourselves. This long sleeve t-shirt is available with a few other items on Marjorie's website. Follow this link for more details.

Also, her new Dirk and Steele novel, In the Dark of Dreams is available for sale.

Here are all the details about the new book.

Title: In the Dark of Dreams
Author: Marjorie M. Lui
Series Connection: Dirk and Steele
ISBN-10: 0062020161
ISBN-13: 978-0062020161
Genre: Paranormal
Publisher: Avon

Click Here to Purchase through Amazon

Description:
She could never forget the boy with the ice blue eyes . . .

She was only twelve when she saw the silver boy on the beach, but Jenny has never stopped dreaming about him. Now she is grown, a marine biologist charting her own course in the family business—a corporation that covertly crosses the boundaries of science into realms of the unknown . . . and the incredible.

And now he has found her again, her boy grown into a man: Perrin, powerful and masculine, and so much more than human, leaving Jenny weak with desire and aching for his touch.

But with their reunion comes danger. For Perrin and Jenny—and all living creatures—their only hope for preventing the unthinkable lies in a mysterious empire far beneath the sea . . . and in the power of their dreams.

Romance Byte: Hungry For Youg

Author: Lynsay Sands
Series Connection: Argeneau Family Tree and Notte Family Tree
ISBN-10: 0061894575
ISBN-13: 978-0-06-189457-2
Genre: Paranormal
Publisher: Avon

Click here to Purchase Through Amazon

Description:
As a chef and restauranteur, Alex Willan had enjoyed so much success she allowed herself to be talked into opening a second restaurant. It’s a decision she’s come to regret. Calamity after calamity have slowed the opening and driven her to the edge of bankruptcy. But things go from bad to worse when a competitor lures away the chef at her original restaurant leaving her torn between the choice to keep the original restaurant running, or getting the second restaurant going. With so much happening, Alex simply doesn’t have time for her sister Sam’s attempts at matchmaking, so when Sam calls with yet another man she “just has to meet” Alex tells her that if the man doesn’t cook, don’t even bother. Imagine her surprise when Sam says he’s a chef from Europe. He appears to be the answer to her prayers.

Cale Argeneau was finding himself somewhat world weary and bored so when his Aunt Marguerite suggested a visit to Canada to spend some time with his cousins, he thought “why not?” What he didn’t realize was that the intrepid Marguerite Argeneau thought she might have a match for him. Once he finds out, he’s less than excited. He’s waited centuries for a life mate and finds it hard to believe this Alex woman his Aunt keeps going on about could be the one. It was the shock of his life when he met Alex and found she was indeed a possible life mate. But that wasn’t nearly as shocking as the realization that the only way he was going to get anywhere near the woman was if he claimed to be a world class chef. Cale couldn’t even boil water, but he was about to take a crash course in cooking. He was also going to have to find out who was behind the calamities that were plaguing this new restaurant endeavor before someone got hurt. He’d do that and more to be near the woman who had reawakened his appetites, because it wasn’t just food he now found himself hungry for, but also Alex herself and the life he could have with her.

Fun stuff from the author's website:
Check out the Family Trees to the two families the book features.
The Argeneau Family Tree
The Notte Family Tree

Romance Book Review: Roxie's Protectors-Leif's Surrender

Author: Marisa Chenery
Series Connection: Roxie's Protectors
ISBN:  978-1-59578-772-9
Genre: Paranormal/ Shifter/ Werewolf
Publisher:  Liquid Silver Books

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

In continuation of her Roxie's Protector series, Marisa Chenery tells brother-in-arms story Leif. In previous stories we learn that Roxie is the foretold one who would be stronger than all the werewolves and leader of all the packs. The Protectors have spent one thousand years training to be her protectors when she is found.

Leif has watched two of his brothers and his sister-in-arms find their mate. He long ago decided he would never claim his mate if he found her. He was too easily bored with the women he met in the past. Another couple of thousand years was too long to live without a mate.

That was before a simple trip to the grocery store to find Roxie some ice cream changed everything when the checker turned out to be his mate.

Jaden is alone in life. The only family she had, her mother, died years ago. She lives her quiet life as best she can with a low paying job. Leif wants to take her away from all that. She won't have to work at the job that she really doesn't like any more and she can move in with him and his family in a big mansion. If all that wasn't enough she truly had fallen for the handsome man.

But will she be able to live with who and what Leif is? Life is just full of surprises for Jaden.

Leif's Surrender is the third book in the Roxie's Protectors series and then their were five books in the Wulf's Den series that started the whole story line from the beginning. I like the series, but this book basically follows the same path as the two before it, including how the women in the Protectors series all come to the aide of their mates in the end.

Other than that this is a nicely written book with some really hot sex scenes and a great twist at the end leaving readers wondering where the author will take the characters on the next book.

Description:
Jaden notices the sexy hunk in her cashier’s line. But she knows, with her plain looks and glasses, he'd never notice her. So when he returns to the grocery store the next day and kisses her senseless in front of everyone, she can only hope she'll see him again.

Leif swears he will never be permanently mated, but when he feels his mate at a grocery store while buying pregnant Roxie ice cream, his world turns upside down. Drawn to his would-be mate, he finds fighting his mating urge is harder than he expects. If he can only hold out long enough to let nature run its course, he can get on with his life. But resisting her is impossible, and he needs to claim her as his.

Romance Byte: Jeweled

Author: Anya Bast
ISBN-10: 0425236862
ISBN-13: 978-0425236864
Genre: Paranormal/ Erotic romance
Publisher: Berkley Heat

Purchase through Amazon
Purchase at Barnes and Noble

Description:
Defined by magic. Ruled by desire.

In the Court of Edaeii, magic-imbued Evangeline is rewarded for her gift in manipulating emotion with a sapphire stone set into the perfect curve of her lower back. Her greatest rival in the royal court is the enigmatic Anatol, instilled with the power of illusion. He may better her in magic, but he is her absolute equal in passion.

They share something else—they’re both targets of low-born revolutionaries bent on overthrowing the palace of the privileged few. Rescued from the mobs by Gregorio, the brilliant revolutionary mastermind, they’re given sanctuary. But in this warm refuge, Evangeline soon finds herself torn between the magic of one man she has always desired, and the excitingly new and radical moves of another. For her, there is only one choice.

Evangeline, Anatol and Gregorio come together as one to explore the possibilities of love beyond reason, and to indulge in pleasure without limits.

About Anya from her Website:
Anya Bast is the author of numerous works of romantic fiction, mostly all paranormal and mostly all scorching hot. She lives in the country with her husband, daughter, eight cats, a dog, and an odd assortment of rescued animals.

She grew up in Minnesota and still favors the colder climates. After high school she moved to the southeast United States where she attended college. While in graduate school she sold her first book and decide to pursue her lifelong dream of writing instead of a career in psychology.

Somewhat reclusive by nature, she can be drawn out with a good bottle of red wine, classic movies, or good music. When she’s not writing, she can be found trying to grow organic vegetables, shopping in thrift stores for that perfect piece of clothing, or dreaming about travel to some faraway country.

She’s hard at work on a brand new series for Berkley Sensation right now, while winding up her national bestselling Elemental Witches quartet.

If you're in Kentucky this month:
Anya will be at:
November 13th 9 to 4:30 p.m. -- Kentucky Book Fair
November 20th 2-4 p.m. -- Multi-author Book signing at Joseph-Beth Booksellers in Lexington, KY

Romance Byte: Chains of Fire

Author: Christina Dodd
Series Connection: The Chosen Ones - Book #4
ISBN: 978-0451412928
Genre: Paranormal
Publisher: Signet Select
Release Date: September 7, 2010

Preorder from Amazon
Preorder from Barnes and Noble


[Excerpt]

Description:
Samuel Faa, the adopted son of servants, is a gypsy lawyer with the power to control minds. Isabelle Mason of the Boston Masons is wealthy, privileged, refined, and has the gift for healing. Two of the Chosen Ones, they hide a past filled with love and betrayal, and a future denied by fate--until the day they’re trapped underground. No way out. No way to deny the passion that still burns beneath the surface. And when danger threatens, Isabelle has only one choice: to place her trust in the power of the one man she could never forgive, or forget…

Romance Byte: Hunting Season

Author: Shelly Laurenston

Series Connection: Gathering
ISBN-13: 9781605047881
ISBN: 1605047880
Genre:  Shifter/ Paranormal Romance
Publisher: Samhain Publishing, Limited

Click here to purchase Hunting Season from Barnes & Noble

Click here to purchase Hunting Season from Amazon


If you're looking for something fun and witty and gusty woman and hunky tough men pick up a Shelly Laurenston book.

Description:
Stubborn, lethal, and from Jersey…what more could a Viking warrior want from his woman?

Neecy Lawrence, winged warrior for a Viking goddess and second-in-command of the fierce Crows, doesn’t know what to do with a nice guy. As it is, making up for a past she’d sooner forget leaves her barely polite most days. But Raven leader and loyal Odin warrior, Will Yager, isn’t just nice. He’s gorgeous, hot, and a distraction she simply can’t afford.

Yager has wanted Neecy in his life—and in his bed—for a long time. Not just for a night, but forever. And, like any self-respecting Viking, he’ll stop at nothing to get what he wants. So what if she’s the most difficult, complex, never-gives-him-a-break woman he’s ever known? She’s more than worth the effort. In fact, she’s worth everything.

And if it turns out that twenty-four hours of non-stop, any-way-she-wants-it sex doesn’t work with Neecy? Then it looks like he’ll just have to get a little more creative…

About the author:
Originally from Long Island, New York, Shelly Laurenston has resigned herself to West Coast living which involves healthy food, mostly sunny days, and lots of guys not wearing shirts when they really should be. Shelly Laurenston is also The New York Times Bestselling author G.A. Aiken, creator of the Dragon Kin series. Hunting Season is Shelly's 13th title.

Subtle, demure, delicate Shelly Laurenston is a 2005 EPPIE Award Winner and 2004 CAPA Winner. A misplaced New Yorker trapped in Los Angeles, Shelly is constantly plotting and scheming her way back to civilization-think "Escape From New York." When she isn't playing video games, polishing her brass knuckles, or writing, she's trying to keep her dog, Maximus Psychotixus, from turning the local cat population into Happy Meals.

Shelly is also the author of the award-winning To Challenge a Dragon as well as Pack Challenge, Go Fetch, Here Kitty, Kitty! and A Pride Christmas in Brooklyn. She also has her first print book out now, Magnus Heat.

Romance Byte: Eternal Kiss of Darkness

Author: Jeaniene Frost
Series Connection: Night of the Huntress
ISBN-13: 9780061783166
ISBN: 0061783161
Genre: Paranormal
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers

Click Here to Purchase Eternal Kiss of Darkness Barnes and Noble

Click Here to Purchase Eternal Kiss of Darkness from Amazon

Description:
An immortal war has been brewing in the darkness . . .
And now one woman has stumbled into the shadows.
Chicago private investigator Kira Graceling should have just kept on walking. But her sense of duty refused to let her ignore the moans of pain coming from inside a warehouse just before dawn. Suddenly she finds herself in a world she's only imagined in her worst nightmares.
At the center is Mencheres, a breathtaking Master vampire who thought he'd seen it all. Then Kira appears—this fearless, beautiful . . . human who braved death to rescue him. Though he burns for her, keeping Kira in his world means risking her life. Yet sending her away is unthinkable.
But with danger closing in, Mencheres must choose either the woman he craves, or embracing the darkest magic to defeat an enemy bent on his eternal destruction.

Currently Reading: Cry Sanctuary

Download Cry Sanctuary--Book 1 of Red Rock Pass series by Moira Rogers for Nook or Kindle June 15 - June 28.


Anyone willing to sign up with an account at Amazon or Barnes & Noble can download the first book in the Red Rock Pass series for free!

The author, Moira Rogers, says this does not mean that only those with a Nook or Kindle can read it, though.  Both Amazon and Barnes & Noble offer a variety of ways to read the ebooks you download through their websites.


Here is how to get a copy depending on your format:
Barnes & Noble and the Nook
http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Cry-Sanctuary/Moira-Rogers/e/9781605042152/

Amazon and the Kindle
http://www.amazon.com/Cry-Sanctuary-Book-Rock-ebook/dp/B001RV3ON6/

For more information, check the author's website at:
http://moirarogers.com/blog/archives/2462

Romance Book Review: Lion's Heat

Author: Lora Leigh 
Series Connection: Breeds
ISBN:  978-0-425-23380-1
Genre: Paranormal
Publisher: Berkley Sensation

Purchase this book from the link below:
Lion's Heat (Breeds)

The long awaited Lion's Heat was released this week and it was well worth the wait. For those who are familiar with Lora Leigh's Breed Series, Jonas is a well known character. He's the mastermind behind many of the Breed matings over the last several books. Jonas is the Director of Breed Affairs, and no not the sexual affairs, although it might seem that way. As the Director, it is Jonas' job to take care of all of the Breeds and he takes his job seriously. So seriously that there are those who believe that Jonas is manipulative and plays games with other Breed's lives.

For those who don't know the story behind Lora Leigh's Breed Series, The Breeds' are a group of scientifically enhanced being who were created in a lab. Their DNA is made up of part animal/part human. In Jonas' case he is part lion. He is the son of the first Breed ever made "The Leo".

In Lion's Heat Lora Leigh answers as many questions to the long running series as she does bringing new mysteries and secrets to light. Readers get to see a whole other side to Jonas. Where as before he is presented as cunning and arrogant, he is now presented as a man who cares for the Breeds and is willing to put his life on the line for each and everyone of them. Callan, as the leader of the lions, Wolfe as the leader of the wolf pack and Del Gado as the leader of the coyote pack have all been introduced as the leaders of their own kind. Jonas is the conduit of all of them. Someone who has been there to keep justice for the Breeds as a cohesive group.

In Lion's Heat readers finally get a better look at Jonas' personal assistant, Rachel. In past books it was evident that there was a tie between the two, but she was pregnant with another man's baby and there was always the wonder of her being involved with someone else. In this book we learn that Rachel has been sent to be Jonas' new assistant through Callan mate Merrinus. She is efficent and Merrinus believes will be exactly what Jonas needs to keep him from self distruction.

With Rachel Jonas is a completely different man. He isn't brass and manipulative. He works to keep calm around her. He knows she's his mate, but he isn't quite sure that he wants to put Rachel in the danger her live will become if she is more involed with him. What he doesn't realize is that someone is already after her and while Jonas doesn't realize it, instead of going after him, the bad guys go after Rachel and her baby.

Now it doesn't matter anymore if he keeps away from Rachel. He needs her more than ever. Now all he is waiting for is from her to love him. Jonas isn't interested in Rachel just for the mating heat. He wants her love. What he doesn't realize is that that is the same as Rachel wants from him. Rachel isn't going to stand for anything but Jonas' heart. She knows he has one and she knows he's capable.

While the same old story line is there in the background, Lion's Heat adds more intrigue to the developing story. It also opens a new story line for future novels. Lora Leigh has said that she has stories already in mind for Cassie Sinclair and some of the others. Since Cassie is still young either the author will have to jump ahead some years in the story or she'll have to settle on one of the others regular characters to do the next story on. It will be interesting to see who she picks. Although, I think fans are waiting for Dane's story, I'm not sure we're ready quite yet to hear it.

Description:
The mating urge cannot be ignored...

Bad boy Jonas Wyatt knows it is fate that Rachel becomes his mate. He can sense it. He can also sense her reluctance. But she has little power over the mating heat of the Breeds. It is Jonas's destiny to claim her. And nothing will stop him from having his way.

Romance Byte: The Perfect Poison

Author: Amanda Quick
Series Connection: Arcane Society
ISBN: 978-0399155802
Genre: Paranormal/ Psychic
Publisher: Putnam Adult
First time in Paperback


Purchase this book here:
The Perfect Poison (Arcane Society, Book 6)

Description:
Plagued by rumors that she poisoned her fiancé, Lucinda Bromley manages to live on the fringes of polite society, tending her beloved plants—and occasionally consulting on a murder investigation. For the notorious botanist possesses a unique talent: she can detect almost any type of poison, especially ones that have their origins in the botanical kingdom.

But the death of a lord has shaken Lucinda to her core. At the murder scene, she picks up traces of a poison containing a very rare species of fern. So rare, in fact, that only one specimen exists in all of England—and it was stolen from her conservatory just last month. To keep her name out of the investigation and to find the murderer, Lucinda hires a fellow Arcane Society member. Caleb Jones runs a psychical investigation agency. A descendant of the founder of the Society, he is very good at protecting its secrets—and frighteningly good getting at the truth. Immediately, Lucinda senses both a raw power and undeniable intensity in the imposing man.

But as a nearly overwhelming desire blooms between Caleb and Lucinda, they are drawn into the dark heart of a deadly conspiracy that can be traced to the early days of the Arcane Society—and to a legacy of madness that could plunge Caleb into the depths of his own tortured soul...

Romance Book Review: Wolf Games

Author: Vivian Arend
Series Connection: Granite Lake Wolves
ISBN: 978-1-60504-968-7
Genre: Paranormal Romance/ Werewolf
Publisher: Samhain Publishing

Mistreated by her previous pack, Maggie denies her wolf for seven years keeping in her human form and staying far away from any other wolf shifters. It isn't until she begins to feel ill that her sister, Missy, finally convinces Maggie to come and stay with her in Missy's new pack. When she meets Erik, Maggie knows that he is her mate, but can she give herself to him when all is not right in her world?

Erik is the beta of his pack and is considered the gentle giant. When he meets Maggie he is elated that he has finally met his mate. He knows Maggie has been through a lot and is willing to give her time, but when her name is picked at random for the "Wolf Games", along with his, he knows he needs to protect and help his mate where he can.

Wolf Games is a fun spin off of the Olympic Games. The participants take on several challenges and the readers get to go along on their journey. All along Maggie learns to trust the wolves around her and build on the inner strength she's always possessed. Although this is part of a series readers can enjoy the book without reading the other editions, but it sounds like the other books will let readers get to know other characters in the story.


Description: 
True love’s path never did run smooth.

After seven years of total denial, Maggie Raynor’s body—and her inner wolf—are in full revolt. Weak and shaky, she literally falls into the very large and capable arms of the Granite Lake Beta, Erik Costanov. The last thing she wants is a mate, particularly when just looking at another wolf scares her to death. And one as big and sexy as Erik? Really bad idea, no matter what her libido says.

Erik expected to meet Maggie in Whitehorse to escort her to the home of her sister, his pack’s Omega. Sheer chance puts him in the right place at the right time to catch her, but the realization that hits him with the force of a full body shot is no accident. She’s his mate. An even bigger shock? She wants no part of him—not until she resolves her issues.

She’ll have to work fast, because they’re both selected to represent the pack during the premier sporting event for wolves in the north. Not only will she have to work as a team with Erik, she’ll have to face down her fear of wolves. Let the Games begin.

Warning: Contains uber-sexy werewolves of Russian descent, reluctant mates and exotic travels through the Yukon wilderness. Includes sarcasm and hot nookie under the Midnight Sun.

Romance Byte: Beyond the Darkness

Author: Alexandra Ivy

Series Connection: Guardians of Eternity


ISBN: 978-1-4201-0298-7


Genre: Paranormal/ Werewolf

Pu
blisher: Zebra Paranormal

Click book title below to purchase this book:

Beyond the Darkness (Guardians of Eternity, Book 6)

Description:
Salvatore Giuliani is not a happy werewolf. It’s his duty as leader to track down the pureblood females who can keep his people from extinction. But the moment he catches scent of Harley, a pureblood held by a pack of mangy curs, his savage need for her obliterates all other instincts. And the only thing worse than being captured is finding that beautiful, independent Harley defiantly refuses to become his mate.

Harley has been taught to distrust all Weres, especially their arrogant king. She won’t be used for breeding or bonded against her will, not even to a man who makes every nerve tingle with awareness. Yet Salvatore is her key to saving the family she never knew she had—if she dares to succumb to his dark, predatory desire, and face a vicious enemy sworn to destroy them both…

Romance Book Review: The New Breed

Author: Jaden Sinclair
Series Connection: Shifter 6: The New Breed
ISBN: ISSN 1555 - 5488 Vol. 310-12SE
Genre: Paranormal/ Werewolf/ Shifter
Publisher: Midnight Showcase

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In her sixth installment to her Shifter series Jaden Sinclair tells the story of Kane and his mate Jada.

Kane and his twin sister Sasha spent their life being brutally tortured. Finally they are rescued by their parents and the other shifter from the previous series.

Now home and starting readjust to their new life, the siblings have kept away from their torturers for three years.

Jada has been on the run for three years. She helped in the rescue of Kane and Sasha, but before she left the lab where the siblings were being held, she took some valuable information that someone would kill for to get back.

Only trying to help and protect Jada , Kane's family brings her back to their home. Jada wasn't happy to have the help. In fact she spends much of the book telling everyone who will listen that she doesn't want to be with Kane and his family. When Kane realizes that Jada is his mate and claims her, Jada is even less happy. She spends much of her time trying to run away from Kane.

While the basic story line was pretty well done, I was not impressed with Jada's character. I realize she had a hard upbringing, and she felt the need to fight, but her fight went on too long as far as I could see.

For readers who like shifter series, this is a decent series in itself. The theme is on the dark side. In order to understand this book, it would be a good idea to see the rest of the series.

Description:
Kane is a one of a kind shifter. He’s more animal than man. Tortured all his life, beaten and experimented on. He has very little tolerance for anyone, except for his twin sister.

Jada Leonard is a woman who never followed anyone’s rules but her own, but those rules change when she is caught spying and taking information. To save her life she is forced into hiding and forced to follow rules.

Like a match to gas, these two ignite a fire of passion. Both are strong willed and both refuse to bend. Will Kane give in to his instincts and take what belongs to him? Or will Jada be the one to make the new breed bow down, showing him that he’s more than just an animal inside?

Romance Book Review: Wulf's Den-Beowulf and Roxie

Author: Marisa Chenery
Series Connection: Wulf Den
ISBN: 978-1-59578-422-3
Genre: Werewolf/ Shapeshift/ Urban Legend/ Paranormal
Publisher: Liquid Silver Books

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I'm on one of my series reading binges again. While reading Marisa Chenery's Jinx and Her Werewolf I started checking out Marisa's website (http://www.marisachenery.com) and found a series that looked interesting. The Wulf Den series features five books, plus one the author started as a spin off series.

After seeing Marisa's website I realized I actually purchased a couple of the books from the series a while back, but never got a chance to read the book. (Yes I do that a lot more than I should. I have a box and a computer full of books I haven't had a chance to read.) What originally sparked my interest in Beowulf and Roxie, the first book in the series, was the title and that the story held the theme of the 1,400 year old story of Beowulf and Grendel. Most will remember the story from high school readings. At the time I purchased Beowulf and Roxie my son was doing a report on the original story of Beowulf poem.

In this version of the ancient story, Marisa has created two long, and I mean long, time rivals. Beowulf and Gren. Both characters are immortal and have lived through the centuries evenly matched and hating each other. As in the original poem, Grendel hates Beowulf because Beowulf killed Grendel's mother. Aside from reveling that Beowulf and Grendel are one and the same from the original characters in the favorite poem, there really is no other similarities.

This Beowulf and Gren are werewolves. Beowulf owns a night club in San Francisco called Wulf Den. One night Beowulf's mortal mate steps into his club. Roxie is everything he wants in a mate and falls instantly in love with her. Gren sees this as a chance to get even with Beowulf and decides to go after Roxie. But Roxie has a few surprises of her own.

So far the first book has sparked my interest in this series. I liked both Roxie and Beowulf's characters. Roxie certainly shows she can be a kick butt, take no prisoners kind of girl.

The next book in the series is: Taryn's Wolf. I'll be getting to it shortly, but as usual there are other books I'm plugging my way through first.

Description:
When Roxie and her friend, Candice, decided on a girls' night out she didn't realize the Wulf's Den would be more than she had anticipated. But Roxie soon learned to expect anything. The presence of a super-abundance of super good looking men surprised her and when the best of the bunch stared at her as if he wanted to devour her, surprise turned to amazement.

Beouwlf recognized her as his mate the instant she crossed his path and her scent filled his lungs. But he had to overcome one hurdle. She was not one of his kind--a werewolf. He had waited for years to find his mate and he would claim her even if she was a mortal. He would soon teach her all about werewolves.

Roxie is caught up in strange events. Archaic markings appear on her wrist, and strong forces threaten to tear her away from her love as two other male werewolves try to claim her as their own. Would Roxie and Beowulf be able to keep the bond love had forged or would they lose each other forever?

Romance Book Review: Hunter's Need

Author: Shiloh Walker
Series Connection: Hunters
ISBN: 978-0425231500
Genre: Ghost/ Mystery/ Suspense/ Paranormal/ Shifter/ Psychic
Publisher: Berkley

Purchase this book here


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If a ghost story is good enough it can really wig me out. I'm not exactly sure why I can really get into crime dramas, murder mysteries and even read a vampire book without a problem, but ghost stories seem to stay with me for days. Needless to say I don't read them often. A friend recommended Hunter's Need to me and even sent over a copy for me to read. I had read some of the previous books in the series and really liked Shiloh Walker, so I thought I'd give it a peak. I was really glad I did. After reading the first couple of chapters it was hard to put the book down.

If you aren't familiar with the Hunters series, don't worry. You meet some of the previous characters from the books and names are mentioned a few times, but it really isn't necessary to follow the series to read this one. Although, I for one think that once you start, you'll want to check out the others. At the end of this post, I put the address to Shiloh's site where she has a list of all the books in the series, as well as several short stories she wrote to go along with them.

In Hunter's Need, readers get to meet Duke and Ana. Four years before we first meet them in this book Ana and Duke share a traumatic experience at the hands of a rogue vampire. The experience leaves Duke feeling betrayed by Ana. Although through the years he is drawn to her, he can let himself forget that she isn't trustworthy and he tries to stay away from her. He does just that until one day he is restless and is drawn to an office of a friend where Ana just happens to call and ask for help from the academy where he works.

Unable to keep himself away and all but thrown in her direction by his boss, Duke heads to Alaska where he finds Ana haunted by a ghost who wants her help.

Ana is a low level psychic. She never thought she was Hunter material. She would leave that to her younger brother who is truly gifted. Hoping to get away from the memories of Duke and give her brother a chance to live his life without her reputation in the way, Ana moves to Alaska to start a new life. After getting settled and getting on with her life she suddenly realizes that something strange is going on. After an encounter with a older man down on his luck and hearing the mystery that surrounds him, she begins to do some searching for answers. She even calls the academy for help. She isn't a hunter, but she knows who to go to for help. They send Duke of all people.

Before Duke and Ana can truly help the older stranger, he is killed. That's when the mystery truly begins, because beyond all the ghosts and the smell of blood there is a true evil out there that only a Hunter can see. Someone who the mortals have no idea who is. It will take everything Duke and Ana can do to find the killer before he kills again.

There are so many wonderful authors out there and Shiloh Walker is certainly in that mix. She has a fabulous imagination and the skill to get it down on paper for others to enjoy. I thought Duke was a wonderful hero. Although it took him long enough to figure out that Ana wasn't the distrustful person he made her out to be, once he decided she was doing what she had to do to save her younger brother and herself all of those years ago, he was there where she needed him. Ana was a complex character filled with the doubt the experience in her younger years left her with. Even her time at the academy didn't help release her from her doubt as no one there trusted her. The mystery itself was the selling point of the book. Trying to figure out who the serial killer who left 30 years of missing young women in his wake was, was worth the read. For those who like mysteries, but not much into the paranormal, don't let the paranormal aspect of this book stop you from giving it a try. You might decided you like a whole other genre all together.

Description:
HIS CHALLENGE

Duke is bitter. A shapeshifter betrayed by the psychic powers of Analise Morell, he cannot forgive her for putting him in the clutches of a feral vampire, but he also can’t shake his desire for her. And when she needs a Hunter, Duke must face his demons—and hers…

HER MISSION

Desperate voices are battering Ana’s psychic shields. A serial killer with extraordinary powers is about to strike again, and the tormented souls of his previous victims are screaming for her help. But Ana can’t understand why they want her…

Their INSATIABLE desire

After what she did to him, Ana is sure Duke must be using her…but if he is, so be it. Ana can’t fight her longing for him, can’t fight the desire that’s haunted her for years. For Duke, every fiber of his soul—both the man and the cougar within—yearns to protect and possess her.…

Check out the details on the entire Hunters series on Shiloh Walker's Website...here