ARC Review: Last Man Standing by Cindy Gerard

 

(more like 4.5 flaming feathers)

Last Man Standing

(Black Ops, Inc # 7)

by Cindy Gerard

LAST MAN STANDING is the last book in Cindy Gerard’s BOI series. While it’s been an amazing run with this series, I’m still sad to see it end. I devoured these books one after the other, reading a book per night. Once you pick these babies up, you simply can’t stop.

LAST MAN STANDING is no exception. “Mean” Joe Green and Stephanie Tompkins have been characters we’ve seen throughout this series. Their relationship started in FEEL THE HEAT but now in their own book, readers finally get the story that they have been eagerly waiting for.

If you’ve followed this series from the beginning, then you know that Stephanie’s brother, Bryan was killed in Sierra Leone in the first book, SHOW NO MERCY. Fifteen years later, Joe still feels that something wasn’t right about that night. So as he follows his gut and travels to Sierra Leone to find out what really happens, he breaks Stephanie’s heart in the process, leaving her without a good enough explanation as to why he can’t be with her.

However, when Stephanie finds out that Joe is accused of killing a priest in Sierra Leone and awaiting trial for it, she realizes that there is another reason as to why Joe simply walked out of her life.

The Stephanie we knew in the previous books isn’t so much in this one. She has grown as a character and has been toughened by her exposure to the BOIs and their daily routines. Threats to her life no longer scare her. Her only fear is losing Joe. And this is the reason why she buys a ticket to Sierra Leone to rescue him.

On her journey she bands with Suah, a fifteen year old teen who has seen the worst of the war in Sierra Leone. Though she senses that this could end up more deadly than she first anticipated, Stephanie has no choice but to trust the kid. They work together to free Joe before he is transported to a maximum-security prison and get him out of there.

It shouldn’t be a surprise to know that I finished this book in one night. Again. Gerard simply writes the best romantic suspense stories out there. It’s hard not to get sucked in with her easy-to-read writing style and ability to get into her hero’s head.

While this isn’t the most action-packed book of the series, there is still a fair amount of heart-pumping action to get you reading into the wee hours of the night. I just love the fact that Gerard weaves the events from the first book to set up the premise for this one. It showcases her impeccable planning and she really does a fantastic job of closing out the series.

But fear not, Gerard is starting up a new series called One Eyed Jacks. We get a great glimpse of the new hero of the first book, Mike “Primetime” Brown. He’s called Primetime because his face is the kind you’d see on TV – penetrating eyes, killer smile. Yup, the stuff we ladies lust for. I’m sure this new series will have me hooked like the BOIs series have had me. I’m exciting for more all-night reading. Bring it on, Gerard. Bring it on!

*ARC provided by publisher

 

Purchase Links: Amazon

Review + Giveaway: Dire Warning by Stephanie Tyler

Dire Warning

by Stephanie Tyler

(Eternal Wolf Clan # 0.5)

A breathtaking new tale of the Dire Wolves, from the bestselling author of Dire Needs…

Immortal and invincible, Rifter is the head of the last surviving pack of Dire Wolves—a band of Alpha brothers charged with protecting the Weres. But now that witches have joined forces with nefarious weretrappers, it’s a perfect storm for double trouble. When the murder of a human points to a wolf, along with the threat of the packs being outted to the world, the Dires fear that something even more dangerous is out there hiding in the dark, something waiting for the right time to show itself.

Includes a letter from the author and a teaser chapter from Dire Needs.

I cannot tell you how much I've been dying to dive into this series!  The premise of it is so interesting.  First of all it has two of my most favorite things, werewolves and bad boy bikers.  This combination is bound to make this a kick-ass series.

I liked the fact we got this prequel because it takes care of explaning the world of the Weres and the Dire Wolves.  The Dires are a group of to-die-for bad boys.  They stumble upon a human's death that is being called a werewolf attack.  Now it's their job to protect the secrecy of the supernatural community and prove this claim wrong.

To do that they will have to infiltrate a Paranormal Investigation group, team up with a girl who can talk to ghosts and chase down some rogues.

I loved the fact that the Dires also have some extra abilities.  I know the first book in this series is about the Dires Alpha, Rifter, but even though we got to see some of him in this story we also got to focus on other members of the team.

Definetely has me wanting more of these bad boys!

*ARC provided by publisher

Purchase Links: Amazon

Dire Warning releases February 7! Ms. Tyler has 2 (TWO) Kindle copies of Dire Warning for a couple of lucky followers!This contest runs between now and February 6.

To enter:

1. Be a follower

2. Fill out the form below

ARC Review: Fever by Joan Swan

 

Fever 

(Phoenix Rising  #1)

by Joan Swan

Debut author Joan Swan takes you on a pulse-pounding, no-holds-barred, suspense-driven ride from beginning to end!

Doctor Alyssa gets caught up in a royal mess. Two inmates, working together have taken her from her workplace and brought her along a ride that changes the course of her life. Scared beyond reason, Alyssa tries to wrap her head around the situation that is happening to her. I found that I really liked Alyssa. She showed courage in times when I would have crawled into a ball and wept. Joan does a fantastic job of evoking emotions from her characters. I felt Alyssa’s fear and her frustration.

Teague Creek is one of the inmates who have taken Alyssa. While he is the less violent of the two inmates, he is still scary as hell. I had a hard time liking Teague. He was pushy, demanding, frustrating and dangerous, but through the course of the book, there are glimpses of another side of him. The author eases the softer side of Teague slowly and when I saw these glimpses, I wanted to know more about him. However, I did have a problem with the racial slurs in this book. I found it difficult to read and although it was meant to make me hate a particular character, I do think there are better and more effective ways to accomplish this.

I mentioned earlier about feeling Alyssa frustration and what I mean by that is that Teague has several secrets that he holds back from Alyssa. Not one to simply do things as she is told, Alyssa stands up to Teague more than once. Again, I have to commend her for her courage. Teague is still a convict, after all.

But whenever Alyssa was frustrated with Teague, I was as well. I loved that she pushed him, asking him to trust her with his secrets. Teague bottles things in and his frustration is evident as well when his plans don’t go his way. However, all this is understandable because what Teague is after is very important and holds his heart.

In other circumstances, Alyssa and Teague would have found each other eventually. But I think with this thrill ride of a story, Joan Swan brings in the action and the suspense to another level, making their meeting a memorable and lasting one. Even in the early pages of the book, you can already see the natural way Alyssa and Teague interact with one another.

There is also a slight paranormal element in this book. Teague has a hot touch. Literally. However, to him, the gift is more of a curse. He doesn’t know how to wield his talent, so more often than not, he is harming someone by accident. As he struggles with this gift and towards the goal he desperately seeks, I grew to like Teague a little more. Reading about his struggles made me admire his determination.

All in all, FEVER is a solid start for a new series that blends the romance and the suspense in perfect unison, topping it off with a dash of the paranormal.

*ARC provided by author

 

 

Purchase Links: Amazon

Interview and Giveaway with Darynda Jones!

Holla Maidens! Welcome back! We've got a great author here today. Meet Darynda Jones, author of the wickedly funny, Charley Davidson series. If you haven't read this series yet, you should. It's funny, sexy read. If you want to check out Darynda's website, we got you covered.

Now, help us welcome, Ms. Jones to UTC! Thanks for stopping by, Darynda!

Can you tell us a bit about your upcoming release, THIRD GRAVE DEAD AHEAD?

First, thank you so much for having me!!!

Third Grave steps up the suspense and danger quotient for Charley. I think this plot pushes her further than she’s ever been. Her passion for finding answers to the truly difficult questions puts her in serious risks in Third Grave, and her position becomes very precarious. I’m excited about presenting her character the way people have come to love her, yet drawing her into more dangerous scenarios. I was determined to bring a more harrowing quality to Third Grave.

For readers who haven't read your books yet... why should people read about Charley Davidson?

Charley says the things most people only dream about saying and does the things most people wouldn’t consider doing. She’s irreverent, sassy and bold with a sense of audacious, raucous fun. Charley is dead-on serious about solving mysteries, almost to the point of creating her own mysteries to solve. She is determined, like a dog with a bone. She will not let go, but she is without a doubt the person you go to, the friend you depend on, the one that draws you in the deepest. She is seriously flawed, but exudes a fabulous, kick-ass attitude towards everything she sets her eyes on. And she loves chocolate. So there’s that.

Reyes is an enigma. What is it about him that makes him so desirable?

I’ve had years and years to build his character in my head. He is the ultimate fantasy man, a combination of every dark, brooding, anti-hero that could be imagined. He is capable of savage violence and built of sensuous shadows, every hot dream made into flesh. Reyes is that extremely dangerous being that every woman wishes would gentle just for her. Most women have a fantasy man that is beautiful and bad, who is tamed for no one else but her, and Reyes is that for me. He can be mysterious, stark, demanding, of questionable reputation, but with that one woman, he is everything she cries out for. That is Reyes.

We know rights to your books were sold to France, Milady/Bragelonne, Germany, Russia, Thailand, Poland, Turkish, Bulgarian, UK, Italy, Holland etc. How do you feel about this series going international? Did you expect it?

I truly did not expect to sell to any international markets. Ever. The fact that First Grave sold internationally was quite a surprise. It’s been a learning experience for me and provides a great opportunity to gain a clearer understanding about the overseas paranormal markets. I’m extremely honored to be in so many places.

We are excited to see the music video of Third Grave. And how awesome that it's original music is by your DH. You were also a part of the film crew for the video. How exciting for both of you! Can tell us about your experience?

I had a lot of fun. It was a great experience putting something like together. It was a challenge. It’s hard having something like that come together inside of my head and try to explain to other people what I want, but all of us together made it work. I’m very proud Third Grave’s video. I appreciate everyone who participated. Our two actors were wonderful to work with, and I think they did a great job. I love the song, I mean I REALLY love the song, and I’m so proud that my husband helped write it. It’s gorgeous.

You have a new Young Adult series coming out this year. What will Darklight be about?

It’s about three high school friends who become involved in a desperate bid to halt the earth-shattering, apocalyptic plans dark forces have against the world as we know it. There are fallen angels, supernatural powers, friendships and forbidden love. It’s a three-part story, beginning with one girl whose life is irrevocably changed when the Angel of Death starts high school in her small town. Along the way, she and her friends discover qualities and capabilities within themselves that can aid their fight for good. I was going for exciting and edge-of-your-seat suspense.

If you could describe your perfect hero by taking physical attributes and personality traits from known celebrities, what would you end up with as your perfect man?

Reyes. Plain and simple. I also happen to have a pretty awesome husband. Who the heck needs Gerard Butler or David Boreanaz or Jason Behr or Mark Walhberg or David Beckham or Ryan Gosling or Johnny Depp or that Captain Morgan dude from the television commercials?

If you get get any character from any book to come to life for the day, which character would it be and what would you do?

Hmmmm. I’m pretty sure Reyes would scare the crap out of me in real life, but I would love to lay my eyes on him. I’m also pretty sure I would just stare. That’s it. Stare at him. Maybe a little drool would unknowingly seep out of my mouth, but I would put my eyes on him, long and hard. I would breathe heavily and seriously stare. He’s worthy of it.

But if I really had to choose (and since I’m married to an awesome guy!), I’d say Charley. I would love to hang with her and live in her world for just a day. And I bet I could pick up some more one-liners on the way. :)

Lets do some quickfire questions!

Coffee or Tea?
Coffee, currently decaf, sadly.
Fave genre to read?
TOO MANY! Historical romance, paranormal, YA… you name it.
Latest book you loved?
Adam by Jacqueline Frank. WOW!!!
Sunrise or sunset?
Sunset.
Vampire or shifter?
While I’m very fond of both, I’ll go with vampire.


BY POPULAR DEMAND, THE BOOK VIDEO!

Ms. Jones is graciously giving away a signed hardcover of Third Grave Dead Ahead to one lucky international Maiden!

Third Grave Dead Ahead

Release: January 31, 2012
 
Third in the award-winning paranormal series that’s “hilarious and heartfelt, sexy and surprising.”
—J.R. Ward Paranormal private eye.

Grim reaper extraordinaire. Whatever. Charley Davidson is back! And she’s drinking copious amounts of caffeine to stay awake because, every time she closes her eyes, she sees him: Reyes Farrow, the parthuman, part-supermodel son of Satan. Yes, she did imprison him for all eternity, but come on. How is she supposed to solve a missing persons case, deal with an ego-driven doctor, calm her curmudgeonly dad, and take on a motorcycle gang hellbent on murder when the devil’s son just won’t give up?

To enter:

1. Be a follower
2. Fill out the form

Happy Birthday Francesca!

Holla Maidens!! It's Ann, Angela and Suzanne here. We are asking you to send your birthday wishes over to Francesca!! It's her birthday! UTC would not be the same without her, so flood this post with pics of hot men. I'm sure she'll be grateful to you all.

Aww. How precious.

Review: Second Grave to the Left by Darynda Jones

Second Grave on the Left

(Charley Davidson # 2)

by Darynda Jones

This is the second installment to Charley Davidson series and this book get better and better.  Ms. Jones once again delivered an outstanding story.

Charley Davidson, Private Investigator and Grim Reaper continues to keep us wrapped around her little fingers.  She is as addicting as the coffee she drinks!!  There's another crime to solve in Charley’s world but this time, she is helping her BFF, Cookie as her close friend goes missing.  As she helps Cookie with this mystery, she of course is still trying to solve her own problems with her Big Bad AKA Reyes.  Continuing from First Grave on the Right, Reyes goes missing for the purpose of hiding from her, his corporeal body anyway. 

Reyes is definitely a mystery on his own but we get to know him a little more in this book.  We see his humanity, how he acted with his sister and friend.  We see him more clearly - descriptions of how he looked, how he moved. In fact, if I close my eyes now, I can see him taking a shower his back to me…. Sexaaay!!  And we see how protective and how much he loves Charley. The romance is not as strong but both Charley and Reyes’ connection is evident. *sigh* 

Charlie, on the other hand is still hilarious.  She continues with her coffee addictions, her comical banters, and the silliest comments when she’s in the most inconvenient situations.  I think she may have A.D.D.  Her mind goes on these tangent thoughts which I find so entertaining.  Her t-shirt/shorts/bumper sticker sayings are so funny.  And Charley is definitely NOT a kick ass heroine.  On the contrary, she gets her ass whooped a few times here, so we get some good action.  I do commend her as she keeps getting up, doing what she wants to do.  We meet more of her body parts of course.  We’ve met her boobs, ovaries and now all her toes!  But God forbid, she would never name her fingers.  That’s just crazy! 

As far as her REAPER side, well, let’s just say she discovers more powers and discovers what she can do with them.  In the end, she will do something that Reyes will not be happy with.  I’ve got to so say *shaking my head*, I don’t blame him.  I cannot wait to read Third Grave to find out how Charlie will get herself out of THAT situation.

 

Purchase Links: Amazon

Review: For I Have Sinned by Darynda Jones

(More like 3.5 feathers)

For I Have Sinned

(Charley Davidson # 1.5)

by Darynda Jones

For I Have Sinned is a short story following First Grave on the Right (book 1 from Charley Davidson Series). Charley is a private investigator but being a PI is just a disguise. She is really a Soul Reaper who helps lost souls “go to the light”. No, really, Charley shines like a beacon to call the lost souls to her.

The books in this series are told as a first person POV by Charley herself, but not in this novella. This story is told by a lost soul seeking Charley’s help. Also as a first person POV. Trapped in this world with an unknown, unfinished business and trying to find out what happened to her. It was nice to see a story from a different POV other than Charley’s. Seeing the side of what a ghost would feel upon meeting her, scenes that would never get old. This reaper is just hilarious with her banters, sense of humor and her overall take on life. Charley will rise up to her calling of course and this ghost will have a bittersweet resolution. A very sweet story.