LovLivLife Reviews: Giveaway: Dark Embers Ends 1/3/2011

LovLivLife Reviews: Giveaway: Dark Embers Ends 1/3/2011

Maria's Space: 12 Days of Christmas Day 5- Romantic Holiday Giveaway - 3 Winners

Maria's Space: 12 Days of Christmas Day 5- Romantic Holiday Giveaway - 3 Winners

Fire and Ice: BIR2010 YA Prize Pack #3

Fire and Ice: BIR2010 YA Prize Pack #3

Fire and Ice: BIR2010 Giveaway #3 & Jennifer Laurens Author Interview

Fire and Ice: BIR2010 Giveaway #3 & Jennifer Laurens Author Interview

Review of DEMON'S FALL

DEMON'S FALL
Karalynn Lee
Carina Press, October 25, 2010

When Kenan, an incubus, comes across an angel for sale at Hellsgate marketplace, he decides to buy her.  Kenan plans to gain her trust, so that he can get close to her and gain her soul for his collection.  Jahel, the angel, has come to Hellsgate trying to retrieve the soul of one of her charges from a Hellhound.  When Kenan offers his aid, Jahel accepts and hopes to return to Heaven soon.

DEMON'S FALL is a paranormal romance with a likable hero and heroine and an interesting premise.  I only have one small quibble, in that, I would have liked the world to have been explained in more detail and expanded upon.  Other than this, I quite enjoyed DEMON'S FALL, especially the characters of Jahell and Kenan.  Kenan, while an incubus, is rather yummy and not so bad in the beginning.  As the story progresses, Kenan begins to fall for Jahell and to change, because of that love..  Jahel, also, begins to fall for Kenan.  During this process, they grow and change, and in the end, must chose to sacrifice for love or continue as they are.

All in all, DEMON'S FALL is a delightful paranormal read, which leaves this reader wanting more.

NOTE:  I received this book in return for an impartial review.

Demon's Fall
                   

Great Holiday Giveaway over at the Bibliophic Book Blog

Click on the link below to enter to win some great books.  You can enter for a teen pack and/or an adult pack.

http://www.bibliophilicbookblog.com/2010/11/holiday-giveaway-announcement.html

Review of IN ENEMY HANDS

IN ENEMY HANDS
K. S. Augustin
Carina Press, June 7, 2010

Dr. Moon Thadin has been through a lot since her former research partner, Kad Minslok, escaped from the Republic and is,now, hunted as a rebel and a terrorist.  Now under suspicion, Moon must watch her every move, and all her illusions about the Republic have been shattered, especially after meeting Sirin, her new research partner.  To keep Sirin, who is a math genius, under control, the republic has erased his short term memory every two days for almost twenty years.

IN ENEMY HANDS is a hybrid of science fiction and romance with well-written, borderline erotic scenes.  Ms. Augustin does a great job of straddling the fence between pure science fiction and romance, without allowing either genre aspect to suffer.  It is evident, that IN ENEMY HANDS is well researched, the science is believable, and the world and characters are complex and multi-faceted.  Moon and Sirin are caught up in an almost impossible situation, but somehow find each other, even through all the turmoil and Sirin's memory loss.  The Republic's despicable policies are highlighted by their treatment of Moon, Sirin, and, even, the Captain of their ship.  I found myself rooting for them from almost the beginning, and by the end, I was on the edge of my seat hoping for them to triumph and be together.  The only problem, that I have is that the ending came a little too abruptly for my tastes-- I wanted more story.  Hopefully, there will be a sequel and maybe a book that tells the Captain's story.

With great world-building and complex characters, IN ENEMY HANDS does a great job in dual roles, as a science fiction and romance read.  I highly recommend it.

Note:  I received this book in return for an impartial review.  

Check out this great giveaway.

Sara's Blog of Fun has a giveaway for Stronger than Sin.   Go check it out here.

http://www.sarahsblogoffun.com/2010/11/stronger-then-sin-book-review-and.html

Review of Call of the Wilds

CALL OF THE WILDS
Gale Stanley
Siren Publishing, Inc. (August 12, 2010)
978-1606018019


Veterinarian, Karin Stone, moved to the Wilds of Pennsylvania to be a wildlife manager and care for a wolf pack.  A big city girl, Karin, decides to leave the city after a traumatic attack and start a new chapter in her life.  Unfortunately, a hiker is found dead from a suspected wolf attack and the locals are gunning for the wolf, and Karin is trying to protect her.  When things get out of hand during a confrontation with some locals, Malcolm Connor steps in and aids Karin.  Karin and Malcolm are attracted to each other, but Malcolm has a secret, which could tear them apart.

CALL OF THE WILDS is an entertaining shapeshifter romance with a yummy alpha hero.  Shapeshifter romances are my favorite genre, and Ms. Stanley doesn't disappoint with this exciting tale.   Karin is trying to be strong and overcome her fears after a violent attack.  There is only one small quibble, that I have with Karin's character-- she seemed to be a little too trusting at times.  Other than this, Karin is a great heroine, who finds the strength to conquer her fears and overcome the many dangers surrounding her.  Malcolm is a wonderful hero, who is very protective, but somewhat tortured.  After the murder of his family by humans, Malcolm goes a little wild, but soon realizes, that he must allow both aspects of his being freedom.  Even so, he is still a bit of a loner.  Because of Malcolm's secret and lies told by others, Malcolm and Karin's relationship has some rocky moments, which makes the finale all the more satisfying.

NOTE: I was sent this book in return for an impartial review.

Mini Review of "The Screaming" by J. A. Konrath

"The Screaming" story within the anthology THE MANY FACES OF VAN HELSING
J. A. Konrath
Ace, April 6, 2004
ISBN:  978-0-441-01647-1

Two junkies desperate for a fix, go to an abandoned mansion, hoping to steal something of value.  Unfortunately, they get a lot more, than they bargained for. 

I, really wish, that I had found this book before Halloween.  "The Screaming" is the first story in this anthology, and it is a very good short story.  It has the requisite creepiness but isn't too scary.  I really loved the ending, which isn't quite a HEA, but is satisfying all the same.  

Check out this book.

Michael Spradlin’s third novel in his Youngest Templar series, ORPHAN OF DESTINY, comes out on October 28th.

Description:

Tristan and his companions—the fiery archer Robard Hode and the assassin maid Maryam—have escaped to England. But tragedy has occurred to Tristan’s beloved abbey while they were on the Third Crusade, and Robard’s home in Sherwood Forest suffers under the rule of the Sheriff of Nottingham. Many obstacles still prevent them from delivering the Holy Grail into safe hands. Tristan must defeat the evil Sir Hugh in one final battle. And he must learn the secret of his birth, a secret Richard the Lionheart and Eleanor of Aquitaine are willing to kill to protect!

More info here: http://www.michaelspradlin.com/books/youngest-templar/orphan.php

My First Contest

Win a copy of A Wolf Signs by Vivian Arend!

Robyn Maxwell doesn’t care that her brother has to cancel out on their backcountry ski trip. She can do it alone. The fact she’s deaf doesn’t make her survival skills any weaker. The chance to get away from it all and relax in the Yukon wilderness is just what she’s been craving.
Meeting wilderness guide Keil at the cabin starts cravings of another kind. Keil’s one hot hunk of ripped, tasty male. Now she has to deal with raging hormones as well as strange questions about wolves and mates and challenges to the death.
Keil was trying for a nice reflective retreat before challenging for the Alpha position of his Alaskan pack. He wasn’t planning on meeting the woman destined to be his mate, or finding out she’s not aware she has the genes of a wolf.
Between dealing with his accident-prone younger brother, a deaf mate with an attitude and an impending duel to the death, his week—and his bed—is suddenly full.
Far from the relaxing getaway any of them had in mind...
Leave a comment for a chance to win a digital copy of Wolf Signs!
This contest is a part of Moira Rogers' & Vivian Arend's Fall Frenzy Event. For your chance to win books, gift certificates, ereaders and more, visit http://www.moirarogers.com/contests/

Contest ends October 28th at 11:59 p.m. CST.
Please leave a comment to be entered in the contest for a copy of Wolf Signs.

October Debut Contest

http://lisadesrochers.blogspot.com/2010/10/october-debut-contest-and-happy.html

Go to the link above for a chance to win these two great books.

Check out this great contest.

http://www.sarahsblogoffun.com/2010/10/october-paranormal-romance-book.html

Book Auction for Great Causes.

                                                        http://www.fwiwreviews.net/





From October 11th - October 31st

The link above will be hosting a Halloween CHARITY BOOK AUCTION to benefit Doctors Without Borders and Fisher House Foundation.

Starting Monday October 11th you will be able to bid on signed books from the following authors:

*Kelley Armstrong - Bitten, Stolen, Broken, Frostbitten*

*Meg Cabot - Insatiable*

*Gail Carriger - The Parasol Protectorate Series: Soulless, Changeless & Blameless Plus Soulless Audio CD*

*Shannon Delany - 13 To Life, Plus swag*

*Melisa Marr - The Wicked Lovely Series*

*Richelle Mead - The Vampire Academy Series*

*Jeri Smith-Ready - Eternal: More Love Stories with Bite Anthology*

Review of THE TEXAN'S IRISH BRIDE

THE TEXAN'S IRISH BRIDE
Caroline Clemmons
Wild Rose Press, 2010
ISBN:  1-60154-799-4

Dallas McClintock awakens to find himself shot, with three angry men pointing guns at him.   Luckily, the beautiful woman, whom he just saved from being raped, explains the situation before Dallas passes out again.  When Dallas wakes again, he is amongst a group of Travelers, or Tinkers, and the O'Neils, whose daughter he saved, are nursing him back to health.

Cenora Rose O'Neil, the woman Dallas saved, has been trying to avoid the advances of  the brutish leader of the Travelers, but her parents fear, that, soon, she might be forced to marry him.  Desperate to save his daughter from a man, whose previous two wives died under suspicious circumstances, Cenora's father sets up Dallas, so that he will be forced to marry Cenora.  Between a rambunctious family, a vengeful Traveler leader, a secret that tortures Dallas, rustlers, and Cenora's insecurities, the course of their marriage doesn't begin smoothly.

THE TEXAN'S IRISH BRIDE is an entertaining historical romance filled with vibrant characters.  While Cenora is a lovely, strong-willed heroine, I found her a little bit naive for someone raised among the Travelers.  Dallas, on the other hand, makes a wonderful hero.  Dallas is strong, generous, honest, supportive, and has the patience of Job.  Because only a very good man would put up with some of Cenora's family's antics, especially her younger brother, Mac,  Dallas has the makings of a true hero.  There is humor interspersed throughout the book, which lightens the mood.  On several occasions, I found myself chuckling.

All in all, THE TEXAN'S IRISH BRIDE is an enjoyable read, which is filled with action and tension but, also, has some humorous moments.

NOTE:  This book was sent to me by the author, in return for an impartial review.  

Review of DEMON FROM THE DARK

DEMON FROM THE DARK
Kresley Cole
Pocket Books, September 2010
ISBN:  978-1-61664-885-5

Malkom Slaine, a Trothan Demon, despises vampires, because he was sold to a vampire as a child and became a blood slave.  When Malkom grows strong enough, he starts rebelling against the vampires.  Unfortunately, Malkom is betrayed by one of his comrades and is turned into what he hates most, a vampire.  Now, Malkom is a combination of demon and vampire and is more powerful than either creature.  Malkom takes vengeance on the vampire, who turned him, then escapes and holes up in the water mines for years.  He, now, lives only for vengeance on the demon, who betrayed him.

Carrow Graie, a witch, has been captured by the Order and is being blackmailed to travel to Oblivion and lure Malkom back to her world, so that he can be captured.  The Order has been capturing Lore beings, torturing them, and experimenting on them, and they want Malkom because of his uniqueness.  There are very few vemons in existence, and the Order wants to learn all they can about them.  After the Order threatens Ruby, a newly orphaned member of her coven, Carrow feels that she must go along with the Order, until she can figure out a means of escape.

Ms. Cole continues her Immortals after Dark series, which just keeps getting better.  The characters are fascinating and the world is complex, and with each book, I'm further enchanted with the series.  I didn't think that any other Lore character could come close to the affection, that I have for the Lycae characters, but Malkom did it.  Malkom is a very tortured character, who has known only pain and betrayal.  When Carrow first meets him, Malkom has been alone for so long, that he is almost beyond redemption.  The time spent between Carrow and Malkom in the first part of the book is poignant.   Carrow, who was an irresponsible partier, must grow up, face some harsh choices, and put someone else's needs ahead of her own.  Malkom's distrust of Carrow is perfectly understandable, and the ending is perfect.

DEMON FROM THE DARK goes on my keeper shelf with the rest of the series.  Now, it is way too long before the next book is released.

NOTE:  I purchased this book and gave an impartial review. 

Review of Being Human Season 1

I rented Being Human through netflix, and it is a great paranormal series.  A vampire, a werewolf, and a ghost are roommates and are trying to adjust to their "conditions" and survive in the human world.  The acting is great, and I love the British accents.  I'll be buying my own copy, soon.

Help Save The Gates

The Gates is a show, that I have been enjoying.  Unfortunately, it is about to be axed.  Please take the time to sign the petition to save this paranormal show.  http://tvseriesfinale.com/tv-show/the-gates-petition/

Review of THE STUDY TRAIN

THE STUDY TRAIN:  REUNION OF THE UNTOUCHABLES
Kurt Frenier
Eloquent Books,  July 12, 2010
ISBN:  978-1609118846

Ethan, a teenager, is living a rather dismal life in Switzerland, because he has uncaring parents and does poorly in school.  When a magical train comes to pick him up and Lord Althulos, the master of the train, offers him a place on the train with other special teen, Ethan jumps at the chance.  Master Magician Mikhail Pinlkington III had created the train to fly around the world and teach teens to become great leaders, and Ethan is one of the chosen few.  Unfortunately, there is a dark influence hanging around and tempting Ethan onto a dark path.

THE STUDY TRAIN is a young adult fantasy novel, which does have a few curse words but would, probably, still be acceptable for most teens.  Ethan, who is the central character of the novel, has a great struggle within himself over, whom to choose:  Lord Althulos or the shady character lurking around, offering great power.  While I understand that Ethan, who came from a very dysfunctional family, didn't have a good moral foundation, I, still, couldn't warm to him after some of the choices he makes.  Ethan seems very self-absorbed and easily led astray.  Fortunately, the ending has an exciting, climatic battle scene, which has several surprises and leaves room for more books in this series.

Overall, although I found Ethan something of a brat, THE STUDY TRAIN held my interest and left me surprised by the ending.

NOTE:  I was sent this book, in return for an impartial review.