Warrior Betrayed - Addison Fox Review

Forty years ago, Eirene, the Goddess of Peace, spurned her position to run away with a mortal. Furious with her daughter, Themis set a curse upon Eirene's unborn child; to one day replace her mother on Mount Olympus.

Montant Grant lost contact with her mother many years ago. Now as she struggles to lead her late father's shipping company, she's also dealing with the sudden reappearance of her mother. The frail woman is spouting nonsense about Mount Olympus, immortal warriors and long-standing curses. But after suspicious activity puts the company's future -- and possibly Montana's life -- at risk, she decides to take her mother's last bit of advice...

When Montana asks Quinn Tanner for help, she confronts the sexy, security executive about his secret identity: he's a Taurus Warrior. Quinn denies it, but he can't deny his powerful attraction to the high-power heiress. With worldwide peace in the balance, it's up to Quinn to help Montana rise to her destiny -- even as they're falling in love...

MY TAKE:Eirene, Goddess of Peace, Daughter of Themis and Zeus knew the price for giving up godhood for love.

Warrior Betrayed takes place about six months after Warrior Avenged. I like how evenly space “time” is between books, not too much time separates them, just enough to let the characters settle before another problem arises or their nemesis strikes again.

Few issues Quinn had in the previous book crops back up here mostly guilt on his part. It added to the flavor of the story, gave his character more depth, showed flaws and it really hammered that even though he’s immortal, in no way is he “perfect”. He was pinged for Taurus!

Montana in the beginning I was not quite sure how I liked her character. In no way was she weak and clingy but neither was she snarky, kick-ass take names type of character I generally like. She was sort of in-between which was sort of refreshing.

This book had more humor than the previous two. Book Two had humor; I found that I giggled with Ava and Ilsa’s interaction. Now combine those two with Montana. I giggled and grinned which got odd looks from my children because I was enjoying the interaction and the story unfolding. I found that, after reading this, that I have a fondness for the word “asshat” and want to use it even more (which ironically I do use it especially when my hubby is being a jerk)

Ah and we cannot forget Montana’s personal assistant Jackson whom I adored his character.

Really books need to come with a warning: Be prepared for some sleepless nights. The book was so engaging for two nights I did not get to bed until three am. Every time I tried to sneak a read during the day I got way-laid.

We also get to meet some new members to the Zodiacs. I profess I am curious about the relationship between Drake and Emerson, the witch. The suspense about the nymph Callie has me curious and needing more information.

Definitely give this book a definite druid approval. Thank you Addison Fox for letting me win this ARC, and for a rousing and engaging story.

Angel's Blood & Archangel's Kiss - Nalini Singh Review

ANGEL'S KISS by Nalini Singh

Vampire hunter Elena Deveraux is hired by the dangerously beautiful Archangel Raphael. But this time, it's not a wayward vamp she has to track. It's an archangel gone bad.

The job will put Elena in the midst of a killing spree like no other - and pull her to the razor's edge of passion. Even if the hunt doesn't destroy her, succumbing to Raphael's seductive touch just may. For when archangels play, mortals break.

 
      My thoughts and views :   Relatively new to Nalini Singh (this year) the author has wowed me with the clear cleverness of her world-building, the depths and strength of her characters, and how expertly she weaves the plot line.
 

    As people probably noticed I am now familiar with Singh's Psy-Changeling series. I had planned to read this series next; however I had a change of plans when I was chosen to champion this series.  I did have to bump Play of Passion for this book and the next.

 

  Elena Deveraux is the epitome of the heroines I like.  She is hunter-born - which means that she was born with the unique skills to hunt vampires.  The word that comes to mind whenever I think of Elena is "Ballsy", her snark and mouth, especially the way she interacts with some minor characters along with the Archangel Raphael pleases me.

 
  She grabbed me from the beginning. Here is a woman, with a unique beauty, but with a painful secret.  The tortured aspect of her character makes her interesting, to bond. She is "beyond" perfect

 Now Raphael was a harder sell for me. To put it lightly, he was a straight up, cold, asshole. His interactions with Elena left me floundering. Then, the more Elena worked on him, the more I started to like him.
ARCHANGEL's KISS    By Nalini Singh

Like with most books I started to like a side-character more. Illium's character was just so loveable.  I do have to mention this... I really like the twist Singh did to her vampires in this series, the difference of it refreshing. Vampires are not really what I am interested in, but this turn, struck me as clear brilliance.

Overall I am eternally thankful to the Goddess that I decided to read this author. It pains me that I did not read this author sooner.  Do I plan to read and continue with this series? You bet.

  

Vampire hunter Elena Deveraux wakes from a year-long coma to find that she has become an angel-and that her lover, the stunningly dangerous archangel Raphael, likes having her under his control. But almost immediately, Raphael must ready Elena for a flight to Beijing, to attend a ball thrown by the archangel Lijuan. Ancient and without conscience, Lijuan's power lies with the dead. And she has organized the most perfect and most vicious of welcomes for Elena...

    My Take: Archangel’s Kiss starts off a year after Angel’s Blood. The epic fight against the sociopathic bloodborn Uram has left its mark on both Raphael and Elena. The Archangel and Hunter may be bruised but they are very much alive. They are also adapting to the recent changes in their lives:

Elena sprouting beautiful, midnight-dark wings. Warrior wings as Raphael fondly describes them.

This rare metamorphosis from human to immortal had not really changed Elena’s kick-ass, snarky attitude. She may be Angel-made however Elena still thought like a human, like the Hunter she was born to be.

Elena is still the tough-as-nails, strong-willed woman from the first book; she just needs to adjust to the new changes in her body and come to terms with the memories of the past resurfacing. Luckily for her she is not alone, but had the help and protection of her beautiful, blue-eyed Archangel and his trusted Seven at her disposal.

She is not the only one that has changed, has grown since the fight with Uram. Elena’s influence has continued to “humanize” Raphael. Some in the angel and vampire circle see this as a weakness to exploit, but Raphael sees this more as a strength. Elena grounds him, keeping him from ever becoming the monster they witnessed with the other Archangel.


Singh is a true “Bard”, a skilled story-teller with no real parallel. She does not “feed” or “tell” the facts of her unique and beautiful world. It literally blossoms inside your head from the characters on the page that you understand it a bit more, letting it digest way easier than the telling.
 

Psy Changeling - Nalini Singh Binge still going strong

Psy-Changeling Slave to Sensation

READ

Visions of Heat

READ

Caressed by Ice

READ

Mine to Possess

READ

Hostage to Pleasure

READ

Branded by Fire

READ

Blaze of Memory

READ

Bonds of Justice About to start

Play of Passion

For those who have not read this author you really ought considering to do so. You are missing out on a wonderful world. Now I do not climb on author's bandwagons easily unless they fascinated and caught me in their world.

Nalini did just that. She has became an auto buy for me. Now I have not read her other series. That's next in line.

I've even convinced a friend to check them out.

Nalini Singh Psy-Changeling Series Binge

For those curious (like the felines) I read my first Nalini Singh in January of this year. She has been on my "To try out" list for some time; especially since my friend Lillie sent Caressed by Ice in one of the several boxes of discarded books to me.

2011 I decided would be the year I tried many "New-to-me" authors. I've been keeping amazingly well with this. When hubby told me to order $50 dollars worth of books from half.com, Slave to Sensation was top most on the list.

Needless to say that by the middle of "Slave to Sensation" I was "HOOKED". Book friend from one of the yahoo book groups I am in, she graciously gave me her extra copy of "Visions of Heat". Also, with a Gift Card I won to Amazon and hubby giving me license to order books from half.com I bought the next three after Caressed by Ice.

February and March I took a little break from Singh. I've been neglecting and ignoring the other books in my "To be Read" List. However, at the end of March, I decided that I was going back to the Psy-Changeling. The books are that addicting.

Then I learned in May the book I so been anticipating (yes I even looked to see what the next ones were about) comes out. From Slave to Sensation and throughout the books I have been hoping and praying not ot be disappointed in who Hawk's mate would be. There has been two instances with authors who disappointed me because of a pairing. Honestly I don't think I would accept it if Hawk did not get paired with Sienna.

However, one blaring thing was evident... before Hawk and Sienna's book comes out, I needed to be caught up with the books. With that incentive, I decided "What the heck, a Singh Psy-Changeling Binge" Since I already read the first three that left the rest. I started this weekish:

Mine to Possess - Read

Hostage of Pleasure - Read

Branded by Fire - Currently Reading (158 pages left to go)

Blaze of Memory

Bonds of Justice

Play of Passion

Cynthia Eden Deadly Fear Review

FBI Special Agents Monica Davenport and Luke Dante are sent to the quiet town of Jasper, Mississippi. Although the modi operandi are different, it soon becomes clear that the two murders there are linked - by the notes from the killer and by the victims' fear. When the next woman goes missing, Lavery receives a call and a man's voice whispers, 'What scares you?; Luke has never had a chance to watch Monica work on a profile before and he's amazed at the way she gets into the killer's head, retracing steps at the crime scenes, understanding the fierce need to stir terror in the victims. The killer is now totally focused on Monica. Finally, he's found someone who understands. Someone who knows the thrill of the hunt. The sheriff thinks that the killer will flee but Monica knows that running isn't an option for him. She doesn't think he fears getting caught - that's not what scares him. She thinks the bastard is playing a game - has been from the beginning and he's not going to stop until the game ends.

My Take on Deadly Fear by Cynthia Edens: This is my second Cynthia Eden book (but my first non-paranormal by her). This series had been massively pimped on a book site I’m in, and when I was uncertain what book to choose to read next, people voted for this one (Easier to make such choices with help!)

The heroine and hero are both “tortured”. And yes, I DO love a good tortured hero/heroine book. Why I read so much of Eve Silver’s gothic historical. It was nice to see yet another author allow not only the hero to be tortured but the heroine.

Mainly we focus on the heroine’s past, the way it shaped and molded her into the woman she became. Plus, her past really went neck and neck with the plot of the story. Now Cynthia did not leave out the mystery of what drove the hero neither but unlike most books it was not the main focus. Though their tragic backgrounds forged them into two different weapons, Luke and Monica were the perfect match. They meshed in the perfect balance due to their personalities.

Monica, despite what happened came out to be a strong person not about to become a victim again. Luke I loved his determination and perseverance where Monica was concerned. The overall effect gave us a thrilling, on the edge of your seat, adventure with hot, steamy romance.

I will definitely be reading Deadly Heat and Deadly Lies (because well I do have a penchant for connecting with the underdogs and minor characters in books, and well, I somehow liked Samantha. She stuck out on me) in the future.

This visionary druid gives this books two thumbs up.

Eternal Rider Review

Synopsis: They are here. They ride. The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse. His name is Ares, and the fate of mankind rests on his powerful shoulders. If he falls to the forces of evil, the world falls too. As one of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, he is far stronger than any mortal, but even he cannot fight his destiny forever. Not when his own brother plots against him. Yet there is one last hope. Gifted in a way other humans can't-or won't-understand, Cara Thornhart is the key to both this Horseman's safety and his doom. But involving Cara will prove treacherous, even beyond the maddening, dangerous desire that seizes them the moment they meet. For staving off eternal darkness could have a staggering cost: Cara's life.

My Thoughts: To put into simpler terms how much I enjoyed Larissa Ione’s “Eternal Rider”: Holy Shit, that was freaking AWESOME!

Yup! Those six words sums it up nicely. I do have to admit that it had been a month or two since I got that worked up over a book, got that absorbed that time seemed to not exist. The last time that happened to me was in January when I read Singh’s Psy/Changeling books.

In the beginning I will admit that I was uncertain on how to react to Cara. The types of heroines I usually like and connect to are like Sin, Limos. The tough as nails, hold their own amidst males, and snarky. I LOVE snarky (even in my heros!)

Cara may have started off weak which normally annoys me. Somehow Cara didn’t. I really sympathized with the woman, all that she went through. Then, as the further we got into the book, and Cara’s inner strength is revealed, I really started liking her.

Ione has a gift on making her heroines likeable (okay maybe that’s me.) Okay, more than her heroines, her heros too.

Cara was the perfect “fit” for Ares. Really I could gush on and on, go all fan-girly but I won’t; especially since I do not write reveals too often (but this book deserved it). I will say it again, each Ione book, even this spin off, gets better and better!

For those who really liked the past characters will be in for a treat. Yeah we see Kynan a lot in there, Reaver too, but we get to see Shade’s brother in law Arik more in this book. So yeah, it was a treat to see all those characters we loved in the Demonica series here. And Wraith never changed! Shhh! Can I say that I have a thing for Than? The entire celtic thing really snagged me. Okay so anything celtic is hot to me. Okay I’ll shut up and say “I CANNOT wait for the next installment!” This Visionary druid gives Eternal Rider two thumbs up...