Review: Highland Avenger by Hannah Howell

3.5 Feathers

Highland Avenger

by Hannah Howell

(Murray Family # 18)

Hannah Howell delivers yet another dramatic story filled with passion and adventure. In this one, Arianna Murray Lucette is running for her life from a man who has done her wrong. In the first chapter, our heroine is attacked on a ship by her enemies and already the action is there, picking up the book and never quite relenting until the very end.

When Arianna and two young boys are washed up to a shore, Sir Brian MacFingal finds them and is quick to determine Arianna’s soaked form as dead. However, it takes more than an attack and a harsh battering of water to break her.
I thought that the character development for Arianna and Brian were excellent. It’s clear that Howell is a master storyteller. She is damn good at what she does and the world she has built with the Murrays and MacFingals grow with each book.

I think perhaps the best part of the book is the details that Howell puts in. Everything is so vividly described, it almost feels as if you are living in the moment. This is a true testament to the quality work Howell does. I’m not surprised that there this series is still going strong. Howell continues to grab readers attentions with a world that keeps them guessing and falling in love. HIGHLAND AVENGER is no exception. This book is the perfect escape for historical romance fans.

*Book provided by publisher

Review: Be My Prince by Julianne MacLean

Be My Prince

by Julianne MacLean

(The Royal Trilogy # 1)

BE MY PRINCE is my first novel by Julianne MacLean. As the first book in the Royal Trilogy, I have to say that I was very intrigued by the idea surrounding this series. Upon starting this book, I knew right off the bat that I liked MacLean’s writing style. It’s unique and runs very smoothly and I think this is very important in any book, but most importantly in a historical romance.

Lady Alexandra Monroe is in a predicament. Her family’s fortune is dwindling so in order to stop that from continuing, she must marry someone with money. Who has more money than a prince? So as Alex sets her sights on Prince Randolph, she finds that there is more to Randolph than she knew.

I enjoyed the beginning of this book. Randolph tries to intimidate Alex and “test” her, however even though Alex doesn’t know he is the prince, she is still able to make an impression on the man. Alex intrigues Randolph and it’s clear that the sparks are there.

However, I felt that the book lost some of its footing. It didn’t hold my attention after that. I felt like some scenes dragged on too long, while others were too short. I wonder if it’s because this is the first book in the series and therefore, the author is trying to set up the others. Nevertheless, this one fell a little short. I will still continue with the series because I feel like there is a lot of potential. This one just wasn’t the brightest star.

*review copy provided by publisher 

Review: Apocalypse: The Lords of Deliverance Compendium by Larissa Ione

Apocalypse: The Lords of Deliverance Compendium

by Larissa Ione

If you are a Larissa Ione fan and you've been reading her Lords of Deliverance series, do yourself a favor and get this little book! Even though so short, every single word was so enjoyable and it gave me a little glimpse into the everyday life and workings of this complex world created by Ms Ione.

We get to hear it from her as if we were just sitting down talking about how the series came about, who the characters are, and even a list of demons, which will proove helpful because I can't keep them straight.  And we learn a bit more about Larissa.

And then there's the short story included in this book, Eternal Damnation.  WOW!  This story goes back to the origins of the Four Horsemen and how they were conceived.  You can read that before or after Lethal Rider, but having read Lethal Rider I had so many "aha!" moments.  All the pieces are falling together.  And can I just say that, yes the short story was great, but OMG I can't wait to read "blank.blank.blank"'s book!  It's going to be off the charts amazing, especially after this setup and the ending of this short story.  Now if only we can get Ms Ione to write faster?!?!?!

UTC Insider: May 2012

Maidens!  Help us celebrate our one year blogoversary!!!!  We have a few special things in store for you this month, here are a few hints:


Author of the Month
Nalini Singh is here!!!!  We couldn't be more excited as Ms. Singh is a favorite author for all of us at UTC!

Author Appearances
Zoe Archer
Carly Phillips
Jessica Clare
Elle Kennedy
Kristen Ashley
Jean Johnson
Anya Bast
Jill Shalvis
Kady Cross
Carolyn Crane
Nalini Singh
and more

More interviews
We are also having a special Hottie of the Week interview this month and it'll be naughty, that's all I will say for now ;)
For the first time we are very excited to be interviewing one of UTC's favorite audiobook narrators, Jim Frangione!

Reading on the Dark Side
We will be featuring the Psy-Changeling series!

Battle of the Covers
USA vs UK Guild Hunter covers will be battling it out!

Blog Hops
Have you signed up for our blog hops yet?
SINFUL SIRENS - MAY 15-20
LOVESTRUCK - JUNE 15-22
HOT JOCKS - JULY 10-17

Giveaways
Aside from the author giveaways and the blog hop that will be running this month, we are running a few Blogoversary giveaways.

We are borrowing the idea from our friends at Guilty Pleasures and we will be running a weekly giveaway.  You will have the chance to win your choice of a book that we review that week.  To enter there will be a form at the end of all the reviews posted, and be sure to leave comments on them!

And we are also running a special mystery basket giveaway which will run all month.  What's in the basket?  You will find out soon!

Help Us Spread the Word
You want to help us celebrate?  Take the button below and post it on your blog!  By doing this you will have an extra entry on ALL giveaways this month.  Plus, we will love you for showing UTC Appreciation!

<a href="http://www.underthecoversbookblog.com/"><img src="http://i1106.photobucket.com/albums/h367/utcgraphics/Misc/utcbday-button.jpg" border="0"/></a>

Amazon Deals!

Dear Maidens,

It's Annie here! Hope you had a great week! If you're like me, you buy a ton of great books weekly so today I'm sharing some of my faves with you all. Some are free while others are only 99 cents. Awesome deal if you ask me.

So let's get started:

I'm a huge fan of Bella Andre's books (especially her Sullivans series). They are always very sexy and fun.
Love Me (Contemporary Romance)  is FREE right now! I snatched this one up myself and hope to read it soon!

If you are a fan of Lara Adrian, then you may know her other pen name Tina St. John. Tina writes medieval romances. I've read one book called Heart of the Hunter (Dragon Chalice) and loved it! Lord of Vengeance is only 99 cents and it is a standalone book. I got this one too and will read it once my schedule allows!

Paranormal romance fans, if you haven't checked out Larissa Ione's Lords of Deliverance series, you really should! Ione has released a compendium for this series that contains great extras and even a new story. At 99 cents also, that's a deal! Check it out!  Apocalypse: The Lords of Deliverance Compendium

I also have something for the historical romance readers. I recently read and enjoyed Courtney Milan's prequel novella to her new series.  I would definitely recommend readers to check this out one also! The Governess Affair (The Brothers Sinister)

Until next time! Happy reading!

Ann

ARC Review: Captivated by Lauren Dane

Captivated

(Phantom Corps #3)

by Lauren Dane

Lauren Dane crafts an emotionally-charged story that brings a broken woman named Hannah Black from the confining net that total isolation by the Imperialist troops have casted over her. Eleven months she was held captive, but when Vincenz Fardelle rescues her from them, readers see the spine of steel hidden beneath the abused woman.

It was easy to like Hannah. Despite being emotionally sensitive, she is a strong woman who does what is necessary to survive and return to her previous state. She undergoes treatment that is uncomfortable for her, but with the help of Vincenz and Julian Marsters, the slow steps they take towards recovery have shown her resilience and a core strength that cannot be denied.

Vincenz and Julian are also great characters that show sympathy and kindness towards Hannah. But they are also very passionate people. It was clearly evident that Vincenz and Julian love each other and Dane does a great job of making that known on the first few pages of this book. Dane then adds Hannah into that mix and it was interesting to see how this protectiveness extended towards her too. I must comment on the sex scenes in this book. Dane incorporates a variety of sex scenes – there are M/M scenes, M/F/M, and M/F scenes. There’s a lot of goodness in it, but I know some are more hesitant about M/M scenes so this is a fair warning. For me, this was a perfect balance. I loved that Dane did scenes with Hannah and the men separately as well as together because it shows how well they are together as a threesome.

Again, the worldbuilding is interesting and engaging, giving the story a natural push as the war approaches and Hannah takes a more active part in the role. I have to say that I was really impressed by this book and hope to read more from Dane because not only was it emotionally gripping, but it was hella hot too!

 *ARC provided by author

 

 

Purchase Links: Amazon

Author of the Month: Nalini Singh

 

When we first started our blog last May I clearly remember that Kiss of Snow was coming out at the end of that month and we kept thinking it would be amazing to be able to interview Nalini Singh on our blog one day.

Well a lot of things have happened since then!  And this month as we celebrate our one year blogoversary we are very happy to have as our Author of the Month, the one and only Nalini Singh.  She will be stopping by later this month for an interview with us. *cue squeeeee*

But that's not all!!!  Last month I was able to meet her at RT and got to hang out with her for a bit as well.  I don't think I have met a sweeter person ever, very energetic and very cute!

Her stories are emotional, riveting, unpredictable, action-packed and always very sensual.  If you haven't read her books yet, you are really missing out!


Psy-Changeling Series
1. Slave to Sensation
2. Visions of Heat
3. Caressed by Ice
3.5 Beat of Temptation
4. Mine to Possess
5. Hostage to Pleasure
6. Branded by Fire
7. Blaze of Memory
8. Bonds of Justice
9. Play of Passion
10. Kiss of Snow

Coming this month, we will be featuring the Psy-Changeling series as our Reading on the Dark Side feature.  We will have our casting, favorite quotes, character profiles and even buttons for the series.  Don't miss it!

Guild Hunter Series
1. Angel's Blood
2. Archangel's Kiss
3. Archangel's Consort
4. Archangel's Blade
4.5 Angels of Darkness
4.75 Angels' Flight

We will be featuring the Guild Hunter series this month in our Battle of the Covers USA vs UK!  Stay tuned for that, they are both good!

Ms. Singh was also part of a fairytale style series last year with Gena Showalter, Jill Monroe and Jessica Andersen.  Her book was the last one in the series:

Lord of the Abyss