ARC Review: Infinite Betrayal by Robyn Mackenzie and Gayle Donnelly

 Infinite Betrayal

by Gayle Donnelly and Robyn Mackenzie
(Infinity # 1)

Mina Roarke is in mourning over the loss of her mother, her only family member. Having been brought up in the Pacific Northwest believing she had no one left but her friend Chloe she is distraught. When she finds letters written from her presumed dead father to her mother, she is stunned enough to travel to Germany to attempt to find something out about the man who took no part in her life. At Chloe's coaxing, Mina takes the journey. What she discovers on her travels rocks her very existence.

When Mathias, a very tall dark and sexy shifter of a race called the Coteri, is sent by Roderick, Mina's father and King of the secret shifter Coteri race, to protect her, sparks fly between the bodyguard and his charge. As Roderick's trusted General, Mathias is entrusted with protecting Mina with his own life if necessary, but protecting her means staying close to her and that proves dangerous. Aside from the Coteri being unknown to the human race, they have enemies, namely a former Coteri , Valencia and her demented son Luca, who belong to the Valta, the nemesis of the Coteri who's ultimate goal is to rule over humanity, not co-exist with it as the Coteri do.

Regardless of Coteri law forbidding a shifter to fraternize with humans, Mathias is so drawn to Mina he cannot help himself and one kiss has him ignite a fire deep inside She in turn is completely taken with him before she finds out about the Coteri and being a half breed herself. Mathias struggles with the budding relationship, knowing that his King would probably kill him for touching his daughter. Ultimately what the pair feel for each other creates fireworks and trouble taking the reader on a roller coaster ride of emotion. When Mina discovers the mystery of her birth she is confused and shaken. Will Mina comes to terms with the fact other races exist and she belongs to one? Will the dominant Mathias succeed in his quest to shelter Mina from the danger that is very much on her tail? Once again.. you're going to have to read to find out.

I loved INFINITE BETRAYAL! The creation of this shifter race by Gayle Donnelly and Robyn Mackenzie has shaken things up. I find myself imagining all the awesome tales to come from these amazing shifters. You feel the passion that Matthias and Mina have for each other, you become part of their world. The secondary characters only add to the drama with hunky shifters Talon and Tre, who pick on each other adding a bit of laughter and the super intelligent Isla who holds the Coteri history and knowledge dear. This story runs the gamut of emotions with the passion and desire to horror and disdain. I cannot wait for the second installment of this series hoping there are plans for several more! I highly recommend INFINITE BETRAYAL to all, it does not disappoint!

*ARC provided by author

 You can find more of Kimberly's reviews at Book Obsessed Chicks.

Review: Edge of Oblivion by J.T. Geissinger

Edge of Oblivion

by J.T. Geissinger

(Night Prowler # 2) 

The second installment in the Night Prowler series , J.T Geissinger has left me of the edge of my seat with this one. Ok so I love a good shifter book like many of you but PANTHERS...YES!! From the first page I was hooked, I read this book in two days, might have been one if I didn't have to work. I swear work gets in the way of my reading time LOL.

I love how Geissinger portrayed her shifters. Each shifter has his or her own unique talent. With just one touch Morgan can persuade anyone to do anything she tells them. Now Xanders talent is COOL, he can turn into vapor. Yes, that's right, vapor! And he can walk through solid objects.

Morgan Montgomery is awaiting her verdict. In the Ikati, an ancient tribe of shape-shifters, law states any member who betrays the pack is sentenced to death. With one chance to prove herself innocent to the tribe Morgan takes it.  If she can track down the headquarters of the Expurgari then she will be allowed to live. The only problem is the Expurgari have been hidden successfully for centuries. With the help of Xander Luna, the tribes most feared enforcer, if Morgan doesn't succeed Xander has to kill her. 

The chemistry between these two characters was HOT, from the first touch you could tell they were hooked on one another.

The secondary characters were interesting as well and I hope that we get to see more of them in the next book. I really enjoyed Edge of Oblivion and I would recommend this book to anyone looking for action, with lots of romance.

*Review copy provided by author

Purchase Links: Amazon

Review: Personal Demon by Susan Sizemore

Personal Demon

by Susan Sizemore

(Laws of the Blood # 6)

Ivy Bailey, vampire hunter, works to keep the streets of Chicago safe from unruly vampires.  Unbeknownst to her, though, she is being hunted as well. Christopher Bell, a vampire himself, shows up at the right place at the right time, and saves Ivy from an awful fate. This then begins a  relationship that is great fun to watch unfold.

Gruesome murders are taking place in the city, and due to various reasons that are discovered much later in the book, Ivy is hand picked to hunt the person, or demon, responsible.  Christopher, a vampire made in England a century prior, is in the city to do some investigating himself.  After saving Ivy, the two are naturally drawn to each other and begin to dream of the other, something that should not be possible.  Ivy tries to fight the attraction, but finds it hard to do.  Christopher is not even what most would consider to be an attractive man, as most vampires are known to be.  His strength and wit, though, draw in both Ivy and the reader.  Christopher and Ivy soon also discover that their dream walking ability also extends to telepathy; again, something that should not be possible.  Some of my favorite dialogue actually takes place during their mind reading.  Ivy
usually thinks of something that she shouldn't be, and then Christopher is right there to remind her that he can "hear" her.  Its often quite comedic.

As Christopher and Ivy start dreaming of and following each other, they finally give into their attraction to each other and get hot and steamy.  I felt like their first time together came kind of out of
nowhere, but hey, what can you do when the hormones take over?  The sex scenes are not overly detailed, drawn out, or too frequent, but Sizemore has a style that works and writes them in such a way that can still get the reader hot under the collar.

In addition to seeing Ivy and Christopher's point of views, we also get the same of the villain and his accomplices.  Without giving too much away about who is the primary bad guy, I will say this:  the main baddie does not work alone.  He has minions to do his bidding, and what I really liked about this is that Sizemore creatively incorporated the use of well known real life sociopaths from the past
century - Jack the Ripper, John Wayne Gacy, and  Ted Bundy - to portray these minions.  While Ivy is hunting the big baddie and his minions, she in turn, is being hunted by them.  It makes for a great
game of cat and mouse, and vice versa.

I think my primary drawback of this book relates to the lack of information we are provided about some issues.  I felt like I finished the book and still had a lot of questions:  Why didn't we learn more
about Christopher's role as an Enforcer?  Can we get more information about Enforcers in general and vampiric law?  How will Christopher and Ivy work as a couple when certain "rules" say they shouldn't? Admittedly, I have not read any other books in this series - yet - so it's possible that this information is provided in previous books, and maybe we'll learn more about Ivy and Christopher as a couple in future books.  I'm definitely interested in finding out.

Overall, Sizemore writes a great tale about vampire and vampire hunter, and draws the reader quickly into the story.  Little is told about either Ivy or Christopher or their lives, and the reader watches
their secrets unfold, even until the very end of the book.  Well done, Sizemore!!

*Review copy provided by publisher

Purchase Links: Amazon

Review: No Greater Glory by Cindy Nord

No Greater Glory

by Cindy Nord

When Yankee soldiers take over widowed Southern Belle, Emaline McDaniel's plantation home in Falmouth, Virginia, she has no idea what she is in for when she comes face to face with Colonel Reece Cutteridge of the 6th Cavalry. Holding a rifle squarely at the Colonel, Emaline stands firm is protecting all that she has left. But Reece has a job to do and this stubborn female won't get in the way of getting his orders done, or will she?

Both the Colonel and the Southern Belle had lives before the war. Lydia had her marriage, not a happy one, but it was something. Once she meets Colonel Reece Cutteridge, all bets are off. The passiojn that stirs between the soldier and the lady is something than cannot be denied, and even when duty calls, love can prevail.

First, I must say that I am a history nerd. The Civil War holds great interest for me. Having said that, this book is not just about the Civil War, it's about two people from two different worlds, coping with the times and what life has thrown at them. Colonel Cutteridge is a true gentleman, and from history we know that is not always the case where women are concerned in situations with war. I love Reece, a character with such depth and such conviction. Emaline is a character who changes for for better. Leading a life of privilege at first then being tossed in the middle of the war has brought out the true woman she was meant to be.

This is Cindy Nord's first published book, and I enjoyed it immensely. I would love to see Reece and Emaline in the future. Ms. Nord really made you care for them and the outcome. I hope to see more from this author soon!

*Review copy provided by author

  Purchase Links: Amazon  You can find more of Kimberly's reviews at Book Obsessed Chicks.

ARC Review: Unleashing the Receptionist by Juniper Bell

Unleashing the Receptionist

by Juniper Bell 

(The Receptionist # 3)

Now, before you even read Unleashing the Receptionist you have to make sure that you read the others in this series so you can understand the bond that Dana, Simon and Ethan have. Because it’s hot and amazing and bite your lip yummy! Imagine working with two amazingly good looking men and more than half of your job is to dress extremely sexy and serve them in every way possible. Oh and don’t worry, their pleasure comes from yours so you will have multiple orgasms a day just for their pure enjoyment. Yea, check that sh*t out!

In this installment of the Receptionist series the threesome find themselves in a bit of a problem when the former partner of Ethan and Simon emerges from the woodwork to ruin their company. And with this new problem comes old secrets and soon Dana finds herself fully emerged in finding out her lovers pasts.

Now with their company on the line, Dana does anything in her power to save the company and her lovers, and when I say anything I mean anything. Cue garters and overly tight blouses. Oh yea did I mention Dana is hot as well?

Unleashing shows a different side of our favorite threesome. We see them grow a lot closer and trust a lot more. There is a lot of sweetness and a lot of reassurance from Ethan and Simon towards Dana but most importantly they confide to her the events of how their own bond became so strong and in turn make the three of them become one.

So if you want spanking, tied up ménage trios, rulers (yes rulers) and tenderness all rolled up into one, read this series, read this book and make sure to keep an extra pair of panties nearby because there will be a puddle, just sayin'!

*ARC provided by publisher

Review: A Study in Seduction by Nina Rowan

A Study in Seduction

by Nina Rowan

(Daring Hearts # 1)

Lydia Kellaway has a brilliant mind. She is a master with puzzles but not so brilliant when it comes to managing her life. When Lydia's Grandmother pawns a unique locket that Lydia held in high regard, trouble begins. Lydia discovers that Alexander Hall, Viscount Northwood has purchased her locket, and so begins the game of retrieving it from him.

Alexander Hall, Viscount Northwood is constantly bothered by his family to find a bride and settle down to his duites, which include ofcourse, producing and heir. Scandal in his family's recent past has already seen to ruin his marriage plans. His Russian mother ran off with another man leaving all of Londoners with their tongues wagging. In addition, tension between Russia and the rest of Europe doesn't help any of his public dealings. All said, Alexander is put off by marriage, and with reason.

Lydia is not Alexander's type of woman at all, but that being said, she stirs something deep inside him that makes him want to know what makes this brilliant woman's mind tick. Lydia gives Alexander a series of puzzles to solve in exchange for the coveted locket and so begins a series of mishaps and mysteries that evolve into a relationship. As feelings begin to grow between Lydia and Alexander, he finds that he wants more from her than she is willing to give. Lydia has a deep, dark secret that if and when it is revlealed, will likely ruin the lives of many involved.

A new reader of Nina Rowan, I cautiously began this tale with even expectations. I was so pleasantly surprised with A Study in Seduction, that I am so looking forward to the next book in the Daring Hearts series. I like a good mystery entwined with the romance, and that's exactly what you get here. Lydia's secret is quite a shocker, making this a total must read. I love how Lydia, the brilliant mind, is a fish out of water when it comes to love. Alexander on the other hand is such an open character. Once he decides what he wants, he goes right after it. I enjoyed A Study In Seduction by Nina Rowan, and I hope you will too.

*Review copy provided by publisher

  Purchase Links: Amazon  You can find more of Kimberly's reviews at Book Obsessed Chicks.

Review: Not Planning on You by Sydney Landon

Not Planning on You

by Sydney Landon

(Danvers # 2)

 

Tags: Sweet, Claimed, Top Bitch (assuming this means the heroine was a no-nonsense, take charge kinda gal)

This was a hot, sweet, and good ride. It was a quick ride, but a good one, nonetheless. That said, it also had so many elements of what it so prominently selling right now - a book very similar in many ways to the Fifty Shades and Crossfire series. In some ways that was positive, and some ways, it was meh. But I'll get back to that in a moment.

Not Planning on You begins with our heroine, Suzy, an event planner for Danvers International located in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, finding out that the uberhawt, ubersexy, all alpha male, CEO of Mericom, Grayson Merimon (Gray for short) will be spending a lot of time at Danvers in Myrtle Beach...much to her chagrin. She is still getting over the heartache of her fiance' cheating on her and putting her heart back together, and while Gray definitely sends her libido into overdrive, Suzy is not ready for a relationship or to give her heart out once again. Luckily, Gray is a very insistent man, and whittles away Suzy's strong layers, getting her to finally agree, not to a date of course, but to a night of some hot and heavy sex to help simmer the temptation that has been wracking both of them. While on their non-date, and prior to the amazing sex that is supposed to occur, Suzy has an accident, breaks an ankle, and finds herself needing to be taken care of for some time. Of course, Gray instantly takes charge, takes over, and refuses that anyone but himself take care of her.

The chemistry between Suzy and Gray jumps off the page from the get-go, and it is clear to see that they are going to set things aflame when they do finally get down to business. Suzy is a very strong, independent woman who knows who she is, what she wants, and what she doesn't. She is beautiful, full of confidence, and loves to dress in a way to show off her assets and style, topped with six inch stilettos. Gray, the dark, hot and brooding CEO, is equally as gorgeous, all male, and the perfect man in all senses of the word. After he gets Suzy back to his home (that he is able to purchase within a day, and with the mindset of making it their home eventually), his perfection goes into hyperdrive. Not only is he richer than rich and the most perfect male specimen to be found, he has a wonderful relationship with his brother and his parents, his manhood is well above average, AND he cooks from scratch. Believable for the reader? Not.At.All. Nonetheless, he takes care of Suzy, and through their time together, they get to know one another very well, and you can see how they are able to fall in love...not because they are beautiful and the sex (that they haven't yet had) is amazing, but because they really do click and enjoy each other's company.

Of course, there is always a problem in perfect-ville. For Gray and Suzy, it's Gray being stalked by a pesky ex-lover. This comes to haunt them in the worst way imaginable and drives a wedge between our hero and heroine. Are they able to survive it as a couple? You'll have to read it to find out. ;)

So going back to how Not Planning On You is similar to Fifty and Crossfire, and how that can be good and how that can be bad, I'll start with the good. It's good in that it gives the reader the perfection of man to dream about and with which to escape reality. Do we all want that? Hell yes! There are so many elements that I imagine women dream about and are enticed by: tall, dark, sexy CEO who is head over heels in love with the woman of his affections, he's rich, he does all the right things, he is blessed with his amazing manhood, AND he cooks! Sign me up, please!! Now the bad. Is it achievable? Hell no! NO ONE can be THAT perfect. Additionally, the hero's name is Gray. Really? Wow! If that doesn't send up a signal, I'm not sure what would. Also, I think the CEO part has become too cliche', and the hero should not be as well off and owning his own company. It would be nice to see that changed up a bit. Much like Fifty, too, the conflict was a bit far-fetched and way too easily overcome.

Not withstanding my minor criticisms, though, Not Planning On You was a fairly quick and enjoyable read. While some could say that Suzy and Gray fell in love too quickly, I actually enjoyed watching them fall in love in a way different than most contemporary novels these days. They didn't fall in love through their lust for one another, but because they actually spent a lot of time together, getting to know one another. And when they did finally get together, watch out! The sheets were set on fire. I also really enjoyed watching Gray fall to pieces when Suzy would say or do something to break down his hard exterior. He is definitely a kitten underneath his Tiger skin, and it was adorable to see. I also enjoyed the peripheral characters, most especially Beth and Nick, who I can only assume might be the main characters in the next Danvers novel. I know I will be reading it to find out.

*Review copy provided by publisher