Under the Covers

Sunday, 29 May 2011

Review: Magic Bleeds by Ilona Andrews

Magic Bleeds (Kate Daniels # 4)

by Ilona Andrews

Urban Fantasy

Any book that I read in the space of one day and actually growl at people when they dare interrupt me deserves 5 stars.

This installment of the Kate Daniels series begins with Kate being stood up for the "naked" dinner she was meant to be serving Curran, the very sexy and infuriataing Beast Lord. From there, for Kate, things go from bad to worse, with plagues being started; powerful people being killed and an unpleasent family reunion. However it isn't all bad, the Kate and Curran will-they-won't-they finally reaches its inevitable conclusion, which had me jumping up and down in joy!

The action as usual with Ilona Andrews was fast paced and brutal and satisfied all my blood thirsty urges. The plot line was also interesting and developed at a steady pace; it always kept me anticipating what was going to happen next. The story in this book also pushed forward over arching storyline of Kates birth alot more then the other books, and I can't wait to find out what happens when Kate finally meets with her father Roland.

Now the romance *sighs* this book finally, finally concludes the tension built up between Curran and Kate in the last three books, and it was worth it. I am glad she did it in this book, it was the right time I think doing it before would have been too soon, but dragging it out for another book would have been frustrating.

However, although I enjoyed this book immensley and I believe it does deserve 5 stars, I don't think it was as good as Magic Strikes. To me Magic Strikes is the best book in the series, it has brilliant action in the Midnight Games and also has some of the best Kate and Curran scenes. The bath scene anyone?! Also the love scene in Magic Bleeds although it is hot, I think Andrews writes action and sexual tension alot better then the actual "deed" itself.

But this is an excellent read, one of the best for me so far this year, and a must read if you love the Kate Daniels series and an incentive to start reading the series if you don't.

Blog Hop Giveaway Alert!

Under The Covers is participating in the 18 and Over Blog Hop Giveaway hosted by Bitten By Paranormal Romance. You will have from 12:00AM June 2nd until 11:59 PM on June 5th to enter. Keep in mind that this contest is open internationally so ANYONE can enter. And what are you going to win, you're asking? And don't miss the next 18 and Over Blog Hop Giveaway Sept 15 - Sept 18!!!

No strings. No regrets. And no going back.

I didn't think he wanted me. And I wasn't about to get involved with him, not after what I'd heard. Sure, Alex Kennedy was tall, dark and unbearably hot, but I've been burned before. When I solicited him to model for my erotic photography book, I didn't expect such a heated, passionate photo session. And now that we've crossed that line, our bodies aren't the only things that have been exposed.

But I can't give my heart to a man who's so… unconventional. His last sexual relationship was with a married couple. It's enough that my ex-fiancé preferred men, I can't take that chance again no matter how much my body thrives on Alex's touch. I can't risk it, but I can't resist it, either.

Alex can be very convincing when he wants something.

And he wants me.

The book will given away as a paperback, through Book Depository. So what are you waiting for?? Remember the rules, you have to follow them to win!

Here's what you have to do:

1. Be a follower of this blog
2. Leave a comment on this post with your email address (June 2nd - June 5th)

Good luck! Winner will be announced June 6th.

Saturday, 28 May 2011

In My Mailbox

In My Mailbox is a feature that was started over at The Story Siren. Each week we share what arrived in our mailboxes, bought or found in swaps or at the library.

Here is what we got this past week.

On My Wishlist

On My Wishlist is a fun weekly event hosted by Book Chick City and runs every Saturday. It's where I list all the books I desperately want but haven't actually bought yet. They can be old, new or forthcoming.

Chosen by Blood (Para-Ops # 1) by Virna DePaul

Genre: Paranormal Romance

United by fate. Bound by desire.

Five years after the Second Civil War ends, humans and otherborn— humanlike creatures with superhuman DNA—still struggle for peace. To ensure the continued rights of both, the FBI forms a Para-Ops team with a unique set of skills.

Leader of an Otherborn clan, half-breed vampire Knox Devereaux would do anything to find a cure for the anti-vamp vaccine slowly starving his people into extinction. When the FBI contacts him about leading a team of hand-selected Others on a mission to reclaim the stolen antidote, Knox accepts. His new assignment places him in direct contact with Special Agent Felicia Locke, the beautiful human he’s craved since their very first meeting.

Kiss of Snow (Psy-Changeling # 10) by Nalini Singh
Genre: Paranormal Romance

New York Times bestselling author Nalini Singh's exhilarating world of shapeshifters and psychics is "paranormal romance at its best" (Publishers Weekly). Now comes the story of an alpha wolf named Hawke used to getting exactly what he wants--and of the only woman who dares tangle with him.

Since the moment of her defection from the PsyNet and into the SnowDancer wolf pack, Sienna Lauren has had one weakness. Hawke. Alpha and dangerous, he compels her to madness.

Hawke is used to walking alone, having lost the woman who would've been his mate long ago. But Sienna fascinates the primal heart of him, even as he tells himself she is far too young to handle the wild fury of the wolf.

Then Sienna changes the rules and suddenly, there is no more distance, only the most intimate of battles between two people who were never meant to meet. Yet as they strip away each other's secrets in a storm of raw emotion, they must also ready themselves for a far more vicious fight…

A deadly enemy is out to destroy SnowDancer, striking at everything they hold dear, but it is Sienna's darkest secret that may yet savage the pack that is her home…and the alpha who is its heartbeat…

Devil Without A Cause (The Devil's Bargain #1) by Terri Garey
Genre: Paranormal Romance

Idle hands are the devil's workshop

Temptation and seduction are the tricks of the Devil's trade, and when offered the chance to regain his wings by playing guardian angel, he's hell-bent on doing things his way . . .

Faith McFarland is in need of a miracle. So desperate to save her sick child, she's willing to make a deal with the Devil: steal a ring worn by Finn Payne, the bad-boy rockstar who long ago sold his soul for rock 'n roll. Temptation and seduction become necessary evils, yet Faith's salvation means Finn's damnation . . . because the ring is all that stands between him and Hell. Falling in love was never part of the bargain, but now that they've tasted heaven in each other's arms, can they convince the Devil to give up his due?

Friday, 27 May 2011

Review: Naked Edge by Pamela Clare

Naked Edge (I-Team # 4)

by Pamela Clare

Romantic Suspense

Find it on Goodreads

First and foremost, I have to talk about Clare’s storytelling abilities. Not only does each subsequent instalment get better, but Clare manages to keep things fresh in every book. Naked Edge to me, is more raw, more elemental and spiritual as it showcases Kat’s Navajo traditions and beliefs. It was so vastly different from the other books, but still very much engaging and riveting!

I loved that Clare made Kat’s background a major aspect of the book! This book was so culturally rich, I felt I was learning along with Gabe as she explained her beliefs and traditions. This not only made for a perfect way to veer the plot forward but it also made Kat more real to me. You could tell that she held her beliefs close to her heart. Even if she lives in Denver, she’s still a rez girl.

I’ll admit, I wasn’t that excited to read her story since she’s one of the more reserved I-Team members, but I enjoyed her shyness and vulnerability. Paired with her determination and strong-will, Kat made for an amazing heroine! I absolutely adored her.

But Gabriel Rossiter was the star of this book! Clare has a way of making me love each of her characters, especially her heroes. But for some reason, I felt that Gabe’s POV stood out amongst the others. I LOVED reading into his mind. How he pined for Kat, how he fought his emotions for her, how feelings of grief and anger oscillated with one another surrounding Jill. All of it made me love him more! To me, Gabe represented the ultimate alpha with his protectiveness. However, there is one more thing that made me love him so much...it was the fact that throughout this whole thing, he never made promises he couldn’t keep. He never led Kat on about his feelings. He let her know what he could give her and what he couldn’t, without spilling the secrets of his past. I have to respect that.

Gabe, you are an angel and if you haven’t read this series already, I promise you, you will never be the same after reading one of Clare’s books! Clare puts so much heart in her little books. She is able to make me laugh and cry in equal measures, making each book a rollercoaster ride of emotions. Naked Edge is no exception.

As you can tell, I have been obsessed with this series for awhile now. Some of my wonderful friends and fellow bloggers have referred this series to me, so I’d like to give them shout-outs. Rhonda, (of Shameless Romance Reviews) thank you, thank you, thank you for physically shoving this series into my face and riding my ass until I read them. I am eternally thankful for your persistence. I also want to give a shout out to Lady Jayne of Lady Jayne’s Reading Den who writes the most extensive and fun-filled reviews for this series. Jayne, you match my obsession for this series but are much better at pimping them out! Check out Lady Jayne's review of Naked Edge here.

As for my fantasy cast for this book, I have to agree with Lady Jayne’s choice of Kristen Kreuk for Kat! Great choice, Jayne!

But I have to go with Nathan Kamp as Gabriel Rossiter. For me, I couldn’t get Nathan’s gorgeous face out of my head as I read this book.

What do you think?

And now, I am onto Breaking Point and Zach McBride! Here I come, baby!

Favourite Quote:
“It can be something you want me to do to you, or something you want to do to me, or even something you want us to do together, like a role-playing game – teacher and schoolgirl or caveman and cavewoman or cowboy”-he winked-“and captive Indian maiden.”

Book Blogger Hop and Follow Friday and Tag Along - May 27th

Crazy-For-Books is hosting a Book Blog Party! If you have a book blog and want to participate click here.

"What book-to-movie adaption have you most liked? Which have you disliked?"

Our answer: I think the Harry Potter movies have been my favorite book to movie adaptation in general. The movies do a great job at following the storyline, and bringing the books ALIVE. WORST? I recently read and watched "Eat, Pray, Love" and that was a pretty bad adaptation in my opinion. I think for people that didn't read the book they might've liked the movie, but I did not like it. The story got changed and in a way that I didn't think was necessary.

Follow Friday is hosted by Parajunkee

The question of the week is:

"How many books do you read in a week? And in what format do you read them, or listen to them?"

Usually about a book every other day. But in general I read two books at a time. I prefer ebooks (e-readers are wonderful) and one of my two books is usually an audiobook. I have slowly gotten away from reading paperbacks and hardcovers as they are not as convenient to take around with you. So I always have my ipod with me with a few books loaded, and my Samsung Galaxy Tablet with a few books loaded. Never leave home without them! You never know when a reading moment will pop up!

18 and Over Book Bloggers Tag Along is for adult book bloggers to get to know each other and hopefully gain more followers and is hoted by Bitten by Paranormal Romance.

"Do you buy or swap books online, if so whats your favorite place?"

I don't usually use swap sites, although I've started listing some of the books I don't want to keep anymore on the GoodReads swap section. However, I do buy books online. It's my preferred method of shopping for books! The "real books" I buy are usually from Amazon. I do use the Kindle feature as I have an app in my tablet to read Kindle books. I also use Diesel Ebooks, Books on Board, and Fictionwise for ebooks and Audible and sometimes iTunes for audiobooks. And does anyone know of a swap site for Canada or UK???